Generally, a automobile is about getting from Level A to Level B and little else. Not each driver on the highway desires some uncooked, poetic factor that has you talking in spondee each time somebody asks about it. For a lot of, merely having a brand new automobile is a superb factor and, what have you learnt, the 2018 Hyundai Accent SE is a straightforward new automobile.

Revised for the 2018 mannequin 12 months, the Accent SE is probably the most inexpensive Hyundai you should buy within the US immediately. It is small and it is primary, however it should accommodate 5 human beings with cargo, it would not really feel oppressive to drive and there is even an honest smattering of tech within the cabin.

Utilitarian inside and outside

Do you want vehicles? Nice, as a result of the Accent is one. It is good-looking sufficient, with a robust character line on the aspect and a few good sculpting on the entrance and rear bumpers. Positive, you get metal wheels with plastic covers, however once more, it is a base mannequin — a $15,000 base mannequin.

The inside is properly laid out, with a dashboard and middle stack which might be low and out of the motive force’s sight line. The USB port is below the radio and straightforward to entry, and each the glove field and middle console tray can maintain greater than sufficient junk, which is nice as a result of the middle armrest cubby is smaller than some.

However you most likely care much less about the way it appears and extra about how properly it really works for you. The entrance seats have ample area for tall drivers. Rear headroom is ok, however legroom is a bit tight for taller of us given the Accent’s economy-car measurement. The seats are fabricated from a sturdy material that each appears and feels good.

Visibility is superb from all sides. Blind spots are minimal or nonexistent, and the rear glass is giant sufficient to fill the rearview mirror with a transparent view of what is behind you. As for the trunk, it holds lots for a small automobile — 13.7 cubic toes — good for each groceries and suitcases.

Good gasoline financial system, however a bit loud

The Accent’s 130-horsepower, 1.6-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine is a bit on the louder aspect, and never in an interesting manner. Along side my tester’s six-speed handbook transmission, I actually needed to wring it out for acceleration. With simply 119 pound-feet of torque on supply, sixth-gear acceleration will not be nice. The shifter itself is gorgeous, with applicable really feel and journey from the lever, though the clutch pedal’s motion is completely devoid of suggestions, which suggests follow makes excellent if you need a easy drive. A six-speed computerized is out there for $1,000 for those who desire.

Whereas the engine could not sound that nice, it delivers some correct gasoline financial system. The Accent is EPA-rated at 37 mpg freeway and 28 metropolis, however I noticed nearer to 41 on the freeway (at 80 mph, no much less) and 30 within the metropolis over the course of a pair hundred miles.

By way of trip high quality, it is on par with different financial system vehicles. The suspension is slightly on the stiff aspect, but it surely’s made up for with some thick tire sidewalls, which assist the suspension absorb bumps and potholes. Shod in 185/65-15 Continental ProContact TX all-season tires, the automobile handles chilly, drenched pavement with out a problem.

Throughout around-town driving, the Accent is ok. It’s surprisingly vulnerable to crosswinds and uneven pavement, and wind noise is current and difficult to disregard. However when the wind dies down and the highway high quality goes up, the Accent is definitely fairly enjoyable to drive. It is mild on its toes and straightforward to shift, which makes for an excellent time as you dart by visitors — as long as you retain the momentum up.

When it comes time to show, the steering is common, if a bit numb, as for many financial system vehicles. The brakes, however, are simple to modulate — there’s not a whole lot of stopping energy, however then once more, there’s not a lot automobile to cease, both.

Respectable tech for $15,000

The Accent SE packs all its tech as commonplace, though there is not a lot — you get one USB port, a backup digicam, no driver-assist techniques, a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a monochrome show within the gauge cluster.

The infotainment system is bare-bones, but it surely’s simple to work. Audio is proscribed to AM and FM radio, Bluetooth, USB and three.5-mm auxiliary enter. The display is touch-capable, however there are buttons for swapping between screens. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are sadly absent. The four-speaker sound system sounds high-quality. The backup digicam incorporates a greater decision than I discover in vehicles costing twice as a lot (I am you, Normal Motors).

The display within the gauge cluster solely exhibits 4 various things: journey meters, gasoline financial system, estimated distance to empty and a digital speedometer. It is easy, however for $15,000, it is a welcome addition. The steering wheel controls really feel a step above this price ticket, as properly.

How I might spec it

The Accent SE has no further choices packages, so that is how I might spec it, I suppose. That stated, for those who can muster the scratch, I might drop $16,795 on the midtier Accent SEL, which provides a second USB port, alloy wheels and a 7-inch infotainment system with each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. If you would like computerized emergency braking, heated entrance seats and large ol’ alloy wheels, be ready to spend $18,395 on the highest Restricted trim.

All the way down to brass tacks

The Accent has various opponents, together with the Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Mirage and Toyota Yaris iA. The Accent beats a number of on worth, but it surely is available in greater than the worth tags on the Rio and Fiesta S sedan. It is extra environment friendly than the competitors, except for the Yaris iA (30 metropolis, 39 freeway) and town scores of each the Match and Rio (29 mpg). The Mirage is cheaper and extra environment friendly than the Hyundai, however I might by no means suggest that automobile to anybody, as a result of it is a dangerous automobile, full cease.

It is also value noting that some opponents, just like the Mirage and Fiesta, can be found as each hatchbacks and sedans. In the interim, the Accent is proscribed to a sedan, in case you are on the hunt for extra cargo area.

Competing in a busy section like this implies the Accent actually wants to verify it stands aside. It is simply the second most good-looking automobile of the group (the Match’s obtained it beat there), and its complement of normal tech is aggressive, though the Match can add driver-assist techniques on the bottom mannequin.

For those who’re on a strict price range and you continue to need a new automobile, the Accent is not going to allow you to down. It appears good, it drives properly and it is loaded with simply sufficient tech so as to add a little bit of security and comfort. Base-trim financial system vehicles do not must be penalty containers, and the Accent undoubtedly is not one.