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Best cheap compact car 2011 Nissan Versa *Est. $9990

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2009 Hyundai Accent

*Est. $9,970 to $15,870

Pros

Good fuel economy
Smooth highway ride
Agile handling
Strong warranty coverage
Sedan and hatchback styles offered
Base hatchback is America's cheapest car

Cons

Slow acceleration with automatic
Base model has very few features
Noisy at high speeds
Below-average crash-test results

Where to Buy

Get Free Price Quotes for 2009 Hyundai Accent

Our Analysis

March 2009. Although the 2009 Hyundai Accent sedan and three-door hatchback compete in the subcompact market segment, they are classified as compact cars by the Environmental Protection Agency thanks to their efficient packaging and roomy interiors. Many reviewers seem surprised that they found the Hyundai Accent as pleasant as they did. In reviews, editors are pleased with the car's relative spaciousness, cabin comfort and responsive handling. Acceleration from the 110-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is not quick, but it's adequate with the five-speed manual transmission, reviewers say. However, they warn that the optional four-speed automatic makes the car even slower.

The Hyundai Accent GS Base (*est. $9,970) is the lowest-priced new car in America, but it comes with few features; there's no air conditioning, stereo or power accessories. The standard GS hatchback (*est. $11,070 to $12,070) and GLS sedan (*est. $12,920 to $13,920) models are better equipped, and the Hyundai Accent SE hatchbacks (*est. $15,070 to $15,870) add an appealing package of equipment such as a sport-tuned suspension, B&M Racing sport shifter, fog lights, ABS and 16-inch alloy wheels. All Hyundai Accent models have six airbags -- a rarity in this price class. However, the Hyundai Accent performs below average in crash tests. According to the IIHS, the Accent achieved only adequate scores for front crashes, and scores of poor in both side and rear impacts.

Reviewers give strong praise to Hyundai's five-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain coverage -- among the longest warranties in the industry. They are also impressed with EPA fuel-economy ratings of 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway with the manual and 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway with the automatic. Real-life mileage averages around 30-34 mpg, tests reveal, although one automatic-equipped vehicle only averaged 22 mpg in the city. Many reviews say the Hyundai Accent provides the most value in its price class, but add that the 2009 Nissan Versa (*est. $9,990 to $16,330) is a worthy alternative with a bigger interior. The 2009 Toyota Yaris (*est. $12,205 to $15,125) is smaller, but offers more refinement, according to reviews. Both Versa and Yaris come in five-door hatchback body styles as well. Another low-priced car suggested in reviews is the Accent's platform-sharing cousin, the 2009 Kia Rio (*est. $11,495 to $14,025), especially in the more practical Rio5 five-door hatchback body style.

Edmunds.com provides the most comprehensive review of the Hyundai Accent, with a good discussion of its strengths and weaknesses. Consumer Reports covers valuable reliability and ownership information along with its road-test evaluation. ConsumerGuide.com gives the Hyundai Accent its Recommended rating along with a review divided into categories. Automobile Magazine has a thorough road-test article of the Hyundai Accent three-door model in the SE sport trim. Kelley Blue Book gives a summary review along with details on projected resale value. CarGurus.com and Cars.com each have general reviews with lists of pros and cons.

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Where To Buy

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2009 Hyundai Accent

Our Sources

1. Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com editors call the Hyundai Accent "enjoyable and value-packed" with a comfortable, roomy interior and "refined" highway ride. But they warn that the suspension does not handle rough roads well, and acceleration can be "sluggish" with the automatic transmission.

Review: 2009 Hyundai Accent Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Editors of Consumer Reports have a good summary review of the Hyundai Accent, including a road-test evaluation and reliability history as compiled in its large, annual owner survey. Note that you must be a subscriber to access this report.

Review: 2009 Hyundai Accent, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

3. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com gives the Hyundai Accent its Recommended rating, rather than the top Best Buy endorsement awarded to the 2008 model. Editors say the Hyundai Accent models have "solid build quality, reasonable interior space, and more equipment than their low prices imply." Dislikes include slow acceleration with the automatic and steering that is "overboosted and lacks road feel." One test car achieved 34.2 mpg, while another averaged just 21.8 mpg in mostly city driving.

Review: 2009 Hyundai Accent Full Review, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Feb. 6, 2009

4. Automobile Magazine Details/Subscribe

Automobile Magazine writer Eric Tingwall test drives a three-door Hyundai Accent SE hatchback and gives a well-balanced evaluation. Tingwall is pleased by how well the Accent SE drives, commenting, "In driving dynamics, the car is a leader, offering great body control through turns and power that can be played with." But he warns that on the highway, the power is not enough and the noise level is high. The 2008 test car is virtually identical to a 2009 Hyundai Accent.

Review: 2008 Hyundai Accent SE, Eric Tingwall, Aug. 18, 2008

5. Kelley Blue Book

KBB's summary review credits the Hyundai Accent's popularity to its "value for the money and an aggressive warranty." They say it has plenty of solid attributes, including responsive handling and numerous safety features. But they suggest shoppers should also look at the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa and Chevy Aveo.

Review: 2009 Hyundai Accent Review, Editors of Kelley Blue Book

6. CarGurus.com

CarGurus.com provides a good recap of information on the Hyundai Accent, but does not perform its own test drive. The review includes such positives as "top-notch fuel economy and a solid ride at an extremely affordable price." Negatives include disappointing crash-test ratings and "scant standard equipment."

Review: 2009 Hyundai Accent, Ann Jackman

7. Cars.com

While many Cars.com reviews are quite extensive, the Hyundai Accent write-up is only a summary of features along with a list of pros and cons. Positives include gas mileage, price and "handling in SE trim level." Dislikes include poor crash ratings, road and engine noise, "low-rent interior" and "imprecise manual transmission."

Review: 2009 Hyundai Accent, Editors of Cars.com, Aug. 28, 2008

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