GREEN CHOICE

Hyundai Accent

Name: 2012 Hyundai Accent
Brand: Hyundai

EPA MPG: 31 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 31 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

This iteration of the Accent scored near the top of our subcompact rankings in both the sedan and hatchback versions. While there's nothing fancy about this car, it does hit the mark for sensible transportation. It's particularly economical to buy and run -- we got 31 mpg with the GLS sedan with an automatic and 32 mpg for the stick-shift Sport hatchback. The 138-hp four-cylinder engine provides adequate power, handling is responsive in the sedan and even more so in the Sport model. The well-constructed cabin offers plenty of room up front. As is normal for this class, the ride is jittery and the rear seats are somewhat cramped. The cabin is fairly noisy, but not offensively so. However, this version of the Accent scored a Poor in the IIHS small-overlap crash test.

2012 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Hyundai Accent

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Cruze

Honda Civic

Honda Fit

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

View all Owner Satisfaction

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

2012 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

2012 Hyundai Accent

$4,375 - $4,825

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Cruze

$4,125 - $4,825

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

$3,375 - $4,450

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Volt

$4,400

EPA MPG 37 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Dodge Caliber

$3,700 - $4,375

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Ford Fiesta

$2,850 - $4,050

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Civic

$4,275 - $8,800

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

$ NA

EPA MPG 44 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Fit

$6,500 - $7,850

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Insight

$4,875 - $6,275

EPA MPG 41 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Hyundai Elantra

$5,000 - $5,275

EPA MPG 32 mpg

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Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Kia Forte

$3,950 - $5,025

EPA MPG 30 mpg

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2012 Kia Rio

$4,025 - $4,525

EPA MPG 31 mpg

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2012 Kia Soul

$4,325 - $5,300

EPA MPG 25 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mazda 2

$5,050 - $5,275

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mazda 3

$4,150 - $6,475

EPA MPG 32 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mitsubishi Lancer

$3,050 - $16,650

EPA MPG 25 mpg

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2012 Nissan Cube

$3,575 - $4,875

EPA MPG 29 mpg

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2012 Nissan Sentra

$3,950 - $4,625

EPA MPG 29 mpg

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2012 Nissan Versa

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EPA MPG 33 mpg

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2012 Scion xB

$6,500 - $7,100

EPA MPG 24 mpg

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2012 Scion xD

$6,100 - $6,475

EPA MPG 28 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Subaru Impreza

$5,200 - $13,175

EPA MPG 30 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Suzuki SX4

$3,100 - $4,275

EPA MPG 25 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Corolla

$7,250 - $7,725

EPA MPG 29 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Matrix

$6,850 - $7,650

EPA MPG 24 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Prius

$8,000 - $8,725

EPA MPG 48 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Prius C

$7,025

EPA MPG 50 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Prius V

$8,075

EPA MPG 42 mpg

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Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Yaris

$5,275 - $6,525

EPA MPG 32 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Volkswagen Golf

$5,500 - $10,825

EPA MPG 26 mpg

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2012 Volkswagen Jetta

$4,375 - $5,625

EPA MPG 27 mpg

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See All Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

Features & Specs

4-door hatchback

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

Front

1.6-liter 4 (138 hp)

6-speed automatic
6-speed manual

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2018-2022

2018 Redesign Year

This generation of Accent comes only as a sedan. It is bare-bones transportation and suffers from many of the shortcomings common among subcompacts. Its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine returned 33 mpg overall in our tests. That is good, but many larger, more substantial compact cars can match that. The engine noise is mostly unobtrusive, but the sluggish acceleration forces the driver to mash the throttle, at which point the engine sounds coarse. The Hyundai doesn't do much to soften bumps and ruts, and road noise fills the cabin. The basic interior features easy-to-use controls. We found the seats to be short on support, and the back seat is tight back seat. Advanced safety features come only on the top Limited trim, which is priced like a compact car, undermining the reason to buy a subcompact. All 2020 models get a new 120-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission. The manual transmission is no longer available for 2022.

2012-2017

2012 Redesign Year

The 2012 Accent is endowed with responsive handling, comfortable front seats, and better fuel economy While the front seats are also more roomy, the rear seat remains cramped -- though it is on par for its class. Noise levels are higher than we consider ideal, but not offensive. All of the controls are straightforward. Though we appreciate the newfound responsiveness of the Accent's handling, the ride is somewhat jittery. In the end though, we cannot recommend this version of the Accent because it scored a Poor in the IIHS small-overlap crash test.

2006-2011

2006 Redesign Year

Accent's 2006 redesign brought a quieter, more comfortable ride. As a result, this version of the subcompact Hyundai is a significant improvement over the previous generation. It is pleasant to drive with a relatively comfortable and quiet ride. Fuel economy is very good, though it trails the best in its class. While ABS was offered as an option, it may be difficult to find a car so equipped and braking performance is lacking without it. Further, stability control wasn't available at all.

2000-2005

2000 Redesign Year

For most of its life, the Accent has been a decent, but uninspired small car with a choppy and noisy ride. On the positive side, the interior is put together well and the car is easy to park. Handling is also secure, if not exactly agile. On the other hand, the Accent is not very quick, braking is subpar, the passenger compartment is noisy and the accommodations are cramped, Antilock brakes (ABS) were offered as an option starting with the 2005 model year, but it was tough to find a car equipped with them.