Auto Review: 2012 Hyundai Accent SE

By Ron Amadon, MarketWatch

DAMASCUS, MD. (MarketWatch) — Thinking about the Hyundai Accent brought back memories of my first new car, my much-loved ’69 Volkswagen Bug with skinny whitewalls and little else. Even heat.

It points to how times have changed for the better. Where the Bug was pretty basic wheels, the Accent carries on Hyundai’s

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reputation of packing lots of equipment into even its low-priced models.

For under $16,000, this test car had a good audio package with satellite radio and Bluetooth; stability control; four-wheel disc brakes and ABS; air conditioning; power mirrors, windows and door locks; leather-wrapped steering wheel; and stability control.

The Accent had a neat little 1.6-liter, inline 4 worth 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. It had a nice six-speed manual transmission that ran fairly quiet on interstates, and a neat suspension that allowed the driver to have a little fun on back roads. The stick was easy to work with, even while running errands.

The Accent has an EPA rating of 30-40 mpg on regular gasoline. I ended a weeklong test in the mid 30s, but with a little care and more use of sixth gear out on the interstate, I could easily have hit the 40 mpg mark.

2012
Hyundai Accent

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Look for zero to 60 in around 9 seconds

Several owners said they could go coast to coast in their Accents, and I don’t disagree. The adjustable seats, easy-to-reach controls and economy make such a trip very easy to envision. There is a lot of hard plastic inside, but at least it doesn’t look cheap, and the exterior styling is very contemporary.

A friend who owns a several-year-old Accent reports only routine maintenance and no unscheduled maintenance.

With floor mats and an iPod cable, the test car would sell for $15,925 — a bargain for sure.

So, another hit for Hyundai? No doubt about it.

Hubcaps

To answer inquires about my “Cars of the Year,” here is my 2011 list. Feel free to disagree and let me hear from you on my choices.

Car of the Year: A close call, but the Audi TT

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just is such a hot car with luxury and styling to boot. It’s got 335 horses, goes 0-60 in 3.8 seconds and handling right up there with the best Porsche. TTS grows up to take on the big guys.
See Ron’s review of the Audi TT RS.

Best Uber Alles Car: Cadillac CTS V Wagon

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(best in black paint). Astounding acceleration, great handling with luxury interior. Zero to 60 in 4.3 seconds, top speed 191 mph, luxury and lots of it inside and 556 horsepower. Almost my car of the year.
See Ron’s review of thew Cadillac CTS V wagon.

Comeback Kid: Detroit’s three auto makers now really can challenge the world with Chevy Sonic , almost the entire Buick lineup, Ford’s Fiesta

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and Super Duty pickup, Chrysler 300, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Wrangler among others have high-class interiors, good performance and handling. Many of the vehicles are light years ahead of the ones they replaced. Knocking my socks off were the Chrysler 300, two mentioned Jeeps, Buick Regal GS, and gas sipper of the year — the Chevy Sonic. We all knew Detroit could do it, now they have with each all-new model.
See Ron’s review of the Chevy Sonic.

See Ron’s review of the Buick Regal GS.

See Ron’s review of the Jeep Cherokee.

Big Disappointment: 2012 Honda Civic

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. Honda cheapens up the interior as Detroit heads the other way. Same for the VW Jetta. The 2012 Civic looks about the same as the 2011 despite what was expected to be restyling – in the end this was hardly a refresh. The interior of the Honda Pilot looks cheap with loads of hard plastic despite $40K prices.
See Ron’s review of the Honda Civic.

See Ron’s review of the Volkswagen Jetta.