The New York Auto Show is fast becoming a busy event with automakers left and right introducing their new 2012 model line up of vehicles.

In the middle of all the chaos, Korean automaker Hyundai->ke201 presented the all-new 2012 Accent->ke478, a car that promises to take the popularity of its predecessors to a whole new level. Thanks in large part to the car's new and upscale "Fluidic Sculpture" design, the new Accent sure looks like it doesn't belong in the subcompact market anymore.

At the very least, it's changing the game in the market. “The 2012 Hyundai Accent reinvigorates the subcompact segment, similar to what the game-changing Sonata->ke1859 and Elantra->ke1391 have done in their categories,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America.

On top of the Accent's new design, Hyundai made no bones about the car's performance and capabilities, promoting the car as a class-leader across the board.

“The Accent’s class-leading standard fuel economy is another showcase of Hyundai’s dedication to improving fuel efficiency with advancements to traditional gasoline powered vehicles and is the fourth nameplate in Hyundai’s lineup delivering 40 mpg on the highway,” O'Brien said.

While it's easy to promote the car given the drastic changes done to it, we'll reserve all our judgments until we get to experience the new Accent first-hand. But for now, we do have to give props to Hyundai for a design well-done. Who knew that their "Fluidic Sculpture" language would translate well to the Accent too?

Details on the Hyundai Accent after the jump.

hyundai-accent

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: hyundai-accent
Pros
Cons

2012 - 2015 Hyundai Accent

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 - 2015 Hyundai Accent
  • Engine/Motor: all-aluminum Gamma four-cylinder
  • Horsepower: 137 @ 6300
  • Torque: 123 @ 4850
  • Transmission: six-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

It came a little later than we anticipated, but the 2012 Accent has finally arrived to join Hyundai's new sporting line. Featuring the same "Fluidic Sculpture" design that has made this generation's line of Hyundai vehicles popular, the 2012 Accent's overall is all loads of dynamic. The new Accent makes use of Hyundai's signature hexagonal front grille and detailed swept-back headlights, giving it a compact athletic face to go along with the impressive powertrain. To provide some variety, the five-door SE variant of the Accent was given a sporty roof-mounted spoiler and vertical taillights.

The Accent is available in a number of exterior colors, including Century White, Ironman Silver, Cyclone Gray, Ultra Black, Boston Red, Mocha Bronze, Marathon Blue, Clearwater Blue, and Electrolyte Green. These colors complement the gray or beige two-tone interior that the Accent comes in.

For the 2012 model, Hyundai decided to drop the three-door model, opting instead to have three different trim levels for which customers can choose from: the four-door GLS model, the five-door GS model, and the top-of-the-line SE model.

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase

101.2 Inches

Overall length

162.0 Inches

Overall width

66.9 Inches

Overall height

57.1 Inches

Tread width (front/rear) 14”

59.3 / 59.5 Inches

Tread width (front/rear) 16”

58.6 / 58.8 Inches


New For 2013

- Standard GLS MT model gets heated body-colored side mirrors, body-colored door handles

- Heated side mirrors are standard on all trims

- Side mirrors with turn signal indicators offered as standard for the SE trim

- Power sunroof offered as an option for the SE trim

New for 2014

- New standard equipment : one-touch triple turn signal, sliding sun visors and driver’s blind spot mirror

- 5-door SE and 4-door Premium Package models get new stylish projector headlights with LED accents, headlamp welcome/escort function

New for 2015

- Newly styled grille, headlights and taillights

- New 16-inch alloy and 14-inch steel wheel covers

- New exterior colors: Vitamin C, Pacific Blue and Misty Beige

- New Popular Equipment Package delivers customer-favorite features to Accent GLS

- Accent SE becomes Accent Sport

Interior

The four-door Accent GLS model has plenty of standard features added to it. They include: Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS), front, side and head curtain airbags, Vehicle Stability Management, ABS, EBD, and brake assist with four-wheel disc brakes, front seatbelt pretensioner, active front head restraints, adjustable head restraints for all seating positions, a tachometer, cabin air filter, power door locks, four speakers, tilt steering wheel, driver seat armrest, front door map pockets, front passenger seatback pocket, 60/40 split folding rear seatback, dual vanity mirrors, map, dome and cargo lights, a six-way adjustable driver seat including height adjustment, front two-speed intermittent wiper, tinted glass, a rear defroster with timer, air conditioning, an AM/FM/Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with tweeters, iPod/USB auxiliary input jacks, and a roof-mounted antenna.

The GLS A/T version can also be given a premium package, one that includes remote keyless entry with panic, a steering wheel mounted audio controls, cruise control, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, premium cloth seats, chrome inside door handle, piano black accents, sunglasses holder, sliding armrest storage box, front fog lights, body-color handles, and a set of 16" alloy wheels with 195/50R16 tires.

Meanwhile, the five-door GS model is decked to the brim with its own set of features, including ABS, EBD, and brake assist with four-wheel disc brakes, Vehicle Stability Management, front, side and head curtain airbags, front seatbelt pretensioner, active front head restraints, adjustable head restraints for all seating positions, a tachometer, air conditioning, driver seat armrest, power windows, mirrors & door locks with remote keyless entry with panic system, cloth door insert, tilt steering wheel, front door map pockets, front passenger seatback pocket, 60/40 split rear seatback, dual vanity mirrors, map, dome and cargo lights, six-way adjustable driver seat with height adjustment, front two-speed intermittent wiper, tinted glass, bodycolor mirrors and door handles, rear defroster with timer, roof-mounted antenna, rear wiper, an • AM/FM/Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with 6 speakers, iPod/USB auxiliary input jacks, and roof antenna, and a set of 14" steel wheels wrapped in 175/70R14 low rolling resistance tires.

The five-door SE model comes with the same standard equipment from the GS model with some notable additions, including cruise control, steering wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, premium cloth seats, chrome inside door handles, Piano black accents, a sliding armrest storage box, front fog lights, a rear spoiler, and a set of 16" alloy wheels with 195/50R16 tires.

New For 2013

- GLS MT gets standard air conditioning, AM/FM/SiriusXM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with 6 speakers, iPod®/USB auxiliary input jacks and sunglass holder

New For 2013

- Standard audio system gets updated for improved voice recognition and button layout

- 5-door SE and 4-door Premium Package models get driver’s side auto-up window and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel

-B&M Racing Sport Shifter now available on 5-door SE model

New for 2015

- New interior fabric patterns

- Reversed LCD audio display for greater readability

- Addition of standard exterior temperature display

Drivetrain

The 2012 Accent comes with an all-aluminum 1.6-liter Gamma four-cylinder engine that delivers 138 horsepower and 123 lb/ft of torque, the best of its class in both departments. The Accent makes use of GDI, which allows for better fuel economy, increased power, and reduced emissions all by controlling the injection of fuel into the engine.

The Accent comes with the application of Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) on both the intake and exhaust camshafts while also featuring an Alternator Management System, an offset crankshaft design, variable induction system, and electronic throttle control.

Drivetrain Prices

Type

DOHC 16-valve transverse-mounted inline with Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI)

Materials

Aluminum block and head

Bore & stroke

77.0 mm x 85.44 mm

Compression ratio

11.0:1

Displacement

1.6 liters / 1,591 cc

Horsepower

137 HP @ 6,300 RPM

Torque

123 LB-FT @ 4,850 RPM

Valves per cylinder

4


Pricing

Pricing for the 2012 Accent begins with the GLS four-door fetching a sticker of $12,445 whereas the GS five-door comes in at $14,595.

2015 Hyundai Accent - Prices

Model

Engine

Transmission

MSRP

Accent GLS Sedan

1.6L GDI

6-Speed Manual Transmission

$14,745

Accent GLS Sedan

1.6L GDI

6-Speed Automatic Transmission with SHIFTRONIC®

$15,745

Accent GS Hatchback

1.6L GDI

6-Speed Manual Transmission

$14,995

Accent GS Hatchback

1.6L GDI

6-Speed Automatic Transmission with SHIFTRONIC®

$16,195

Accent Sport Hatchback

1.6L GDI

6-Speed Manual Transmission

$16,495

Accent Sport Hatchback

1.6L GDI

6-Speed Automatic Transmission with SHIFTRONIC®

$17,495


Competition

To give you a better understanding of just how far ahead of its class the Hyundai Accent is over its rivals, check out the table below and you'll immediately notice that this new Korean sub-compact has the leg up in just about every important category.

2012 Accent

2011 Honda Fit

2011 Ford Fiesta

2011 Toyota Yaris->ke354

2011 Nissan Versa

2011 Chevrolet Aveo

2011 Mazda2

Engine

1.6-liter I4

1.5-liter I4

1.6-liter I4

1.5-liter I4

1.6-liter I4

1.6-liter I4

1.5-liter I4

HP @ RPM

138 @ 6,300

117 @ 6,600

120 @ 6,350

106 @ 6,000

107 @ 6,000

108 @ 6,400

100 @ 6,000

Specific output (HP/Liter)

86

78

75

71

67

68

67

Torque @ RPM

123 @ 4,850

106 @ 4,800

112 @ 5,000

103 @ 4,200

111 @ 4,600

105 @ 4,000

98 @ 4,000

Transmission

6MT or 6AT

5MT or 5AT

5MT or 6AT

5MT or 4AT

5MT or 4AT

5MT or 4AT

5MT or 4AT

MPG (M/T) (C/H)

30/40

27/33

28/37

29/36

26/34

27/35

29/35

MPG (A/T) (C/H)

30/40

28/35

29/38

29/35

25/33

25/34

27/33