Earlier this week, Hyundai teased us with glimpses of the 2018 Accent. It debuted a more grown-up look that’s been lacking from previous models, showing us that it may be maturing to a more complete product. The handsome styling cues were enough to get our attention, and now, Hyundai has officially released the next generation Accent at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. The fifth generation model shows to be a worthy rival to other compacts in the segment, hoping to leap frog Hyundai in sales and popularity.
The 2018 Accent seems to shy away from its strictly-budget ethos from years past. It will now be available with some of the same features that we’ve come to know from its bigger brothers, the Elantra and Sonata. Upgraded interior materials improve initial quality and show us that Hyundai has stepped their game up with this rendition. Safety features like automatic emergency braking will be available for the first time in the Accent, along with smart tech like the company’s Bluelink infotainment system which features Apple Car Play and Android Auto.
Whereas it may not be a showstopper in the performance category, the newest Accent will get a revised version of the 1.6L I4. This is a familiar engine that can be found throughout the Hyundai lineup, including a variant in the Prius-fighting Ioniq Hybrid. It’s still a bit wheezy, producing just 132 HP and 119 lb-ft of torque. This will be enough to achieve 27/37 MPG city/highway when paired with the standard six-speed manual transmission. An automatic option will of course be available, causing mileage to dip slightly to 26/36 MPG city/highway.
By upping value with still-cheap pricing and improved quality, Hyundai looks to the Accent to help pull them up from their economic woes. 2016 was a down year for the automaker, leading them to come back strong for the 2018 model year. The new Accent will feature a base price of $15,830, keeping the minimalists happy with only the essentials. It should go on sale sometime this fall, so look for it in the coming months on the latter half of 2017.