Hyundai Accent vs. Competitors for Sale in Fairfield, CT
Overview
Perhaps no vehicle is more ideal for frugal folks than the subcompact sedan. These no-nonsense cars have always gotten their occupants from point A to point B with minimal distraction. But these days, with competition for market share so fierce, automakers have continuously improved their offerings, adding features to even their lowest-priced models to give them an edge over the competition. The 2020 Hyundai Accent is a fine example of this trend. It returns for the 2020 model year with some mid-cycle improvements, led by a new and more efficient Smartstream powertrain, consisting of a four-cylinder engine and an intelligent continuously variable transmission. It also boasts a lot of standard features for its class. Let’s take a closer look at the Accent versus its rivals, which include the Honda Fit, the Toyota Yaris Sedan, the Kia Rio, and the Chevrolet Sonic.
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Pricing and Fuel Efficiency
The 2020 Hyundai Accent wins in the category of lowest base MSRP: $15,295 with the manual transmission and $16,395 with the CVT. Its cousin the Rio starts at $15,850, the Yaris at $15,650, the Sonic at $16,720, and the Fit – which we’re including even though it’s a subcompact hatchback and not technically a subcompact sedan) – at $16,190. Those who still want to control their own shifting will like that the Accent is offered with a manual transmission, as are the Fit and Yaris. The Sonic comes solely with a six-speed manual, while the Rio has the same IVT as the Accent, with no choice for the stickshift.
When the 2020 Hyundai Accent is configured with the new Smartstream variable transmission (which replaces the less-efficient six-speed automatic transmission of the past), it achieves leading fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 33 mpg city and 41 mpg highway. While the Kia Rio shares the Accent’s engine and IVT and thereby matches those figures, falling short are the best ratings of the Sonic (26 city/34 highway), Fit (29 city/36 highway), and Yaris (32 city/40 highway).
Standard Coverage
Hyundai is known for having the longest powertrain warranty in the business, which is matched only by the related Kia Rio. Accent owners will rest easy knowing they’re protected by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which includes 24-hour roadside assistance, and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Aside from the Kia Rio, the other subcompacts in this comparison merely get 3 years/36,000 miles of basic warranty coverage and 5 years/60,000 miles on their powertrain warranty. The Rio’s 5-year corrosion warranty is two years shorter than the Accent’s 7-year terms, though (the other cars mentioned here also include 5 years of corrosion protection).
Adding to that easy feeling is the new (as of February 1, 2020) complimentary maintenance program, where Hyundai now includes 3 years/36,000 miles of free scheduled service visits, meaning oil and filter changes and tire rotations, on any new Hyundai that’s bought or leased. None of its competitors in the non-luxury subcompact segment – not even the related Kia Rio – offers a perk matching these generous terms (Toyota provides 2 years/25,000 miles of free maintenance, while Chevrolet throws in a single maintenance visit, to be used in the first year of ownership).