NEW YORK AUTO SHOW: Is The 2012 Hyundai Accent Going To Ride The Automaker's Wave Of Success?

Now I know this may be tough for a majority of the fan bois out there but you have to give credit where it's due: Hyundai has been killing it for the past 24 months.

If you need further proof, just see the 2012 Honda Civic, which is the epitome of milquetoast. When you compare it against the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, there's no way any buyer in their right mind would choose the Honda -- unless they're a loyal shopper wearing blinders.

This neatly brings us to the 2012 Hyundai Accent, which is preparing to do battle with the smallest of the small. The Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Chevrolet Aveo and Mazda2.

In either a four or five-door trim, the Accent comes equipped with a 1.6-liter motor that produces just under 140 horsepower. As expected from its siblings, it too achieves 30/40, city/highway mpg, respectively. That makes the Accent the most powerful and most fuel efficient of its direct competitors.

Given how the latest generation of Hyundai products drive, we're expecting the Accent to perform above average.

With all of that said, do you think the 2012 Hyundai Accent has what it takes to continue making Hyundai an even STRONGER brand?

Set to hit dealers this summer with a base price of $12,445, you better believe the other guys are keeping an eye on their backs. And they should be.


Hyundai's press release follows:

Hyundai Motor America introduced the all-new 2012 Accent with best-in-class standard fuel economy and power at the New York International Auto Show today. This marks the U.S. debut of the latest version of the popular subcompact sedan and the new top-of-the line, more functional Accent five-door. The 2012 Accent is slated to hit dealerships this summer.

Accent redefines expectations in the subcompact category by offering the company’s distinctive and upscale “Fluidic Sculpture” design, best-in-class standard fuel economy, exceptional roominess and a full complement of standard safety features. Despite surprising technology and a significant increase in safety features, Hyundai will hold the line on pricing from the prior generation to continue delivering unmistakable value to customers.

“The 2012 Hyundai Accent reinvigorates the subcompact segment, similar to what the game-changing Sonata and Elantra have done in their categories,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “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.” 

The 2012 Accent’s all-aluminum 1.6-liter Gamma four-cylinder engine utilizes the latest engine technology to deliver a class-leading 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque and a best-in-class standard 30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway fuel economy rating.

The engine’s most notable feature is its use of GDI, a first for the subcompact category. By precisely controlling the injection of fuel, GDI allows for better fuel economy, increased power and reduced emissions. The application of Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) on both intake and exhaust camshafts allows for increased efficiency, improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. Other elements resulting in reduced fuel consumption include an Alternator Management System, an offset crankshaft design, variable induction system and electronic throttle control. To reduce lifetime operation costs and increase reliability, the Gamma features a maintenance-free silent roller timing chain. The Gamma also uses innovative anti-friction coatings such as CrN Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating and Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating.