To Buy or Not to Buy: Should You Spring for a Hyundai Accent?

There is no denying that for many of us, purchasing a car should translate to the fulfillment of its promise. If we spend more, we expect more. The true is same if we are on a budget. But cars like the Hyundai Accent defied common notion. Its affordability spawned a host of owners during its day and yet, the car more than delivered on its promise of providing satisfaction. 

The maverick

When it was still in the market, the Hyundai Accent straddled in the middle of the subcompact sedan category with a price tag ranging between Php 790,000 and  Php1,038,000. What did it offer in return for its price? 

In its final iteration, the Accent came with two engine options – a 1.6-liter CRDi turbo diesel and a 1.4-liter gasoline mill. The 1.6-liter turbo diesel produced a maximum of 126 horses and 260 Nm of torque. The 1.4- on the other hand delivered 99 horses and 132 Nm of torque. When it came to transmission choices,  there was a 6-speed automatic and a 6-speed manual to choose from. Both have significant gaps and differences in terms of performance and cost of operation. So choosing the right variant today depends on what suits your needs.

Getting the job done

As a subcompact sedan, the Accent basically did its job pretty well. The CRDi in particular, delivered a zippy ride around the city and saved some pesos in terms of fuel expenses. But that was back when there was a signifcant difference in the prices of diesel and petrol. That combination of diesel engine and six working gears delivered exhilirating drives. The gas variant however, somehow lacked power. It wasn't a car you would take on a spirited run up Tanay for example.  But if your goal now is to find a pre-loved  car that can go from point A to point B, either option can do the job.

Just right

The Accent also came with basic safety features, two airbags at the most depending on the variant. Maybe not the best you'll find in the market, but sufficient to add a layer of protection for passengers in an unfortunate accident.

Cabin space was also not the best in the class but it was enough to transport five adult passengers in decent comfort. Moreover,  trunk space fell behind compared to its peers, but was just right for typical family needs. Its real ace though, was fuel efficiency.

The CRDi variant was one of the most fuel-efficient cars available in the market at that time. In the city, it could deliver anywhere form 9 to 16km/l depending on how you drive and the prevailing traffic conditions. The 1.4-liter Kappa MPI Dual CVVT engine in the gasoline variant had a low enough displacement to ensure 11 km/l runs on a good city drive. 

On the highway, the CRDi engine shone even more. Fuel consumption figures in the range of 20 to 23 km/l, and even up to 29 km/l were possible. 

Of course, that CRDi engine does have an obvious downside. It will cost more than the gasoline engine to maintain in the long run. And that is something you need to consider when shopping around for a CRDi Accent.

But the question now is, with its depreciated price today, is a pre-owned Hyundai Accent still a good buy? Will it still deliver on its promise of championing fuel efficiency? And more importantly, will it still satisfy you as it does those who still continue to own one? Well, there's only one way to find out.

Also Read: What Makes Hyundai Accent a Great and Ideal Sedan?