What’s New on the Top-of-the-Line 2024 Hyundai Accent?

The top-of-the-line Hyundai Accent boasts notable upgrades. Photo: TC Motor.

Following the footsteps of Honda City, Mazda2, and Toyota Vios, Hyundai Accent has received a complete makeover for the Vietnamese market. While retaining the same four trim levels as its predecessor, the 2024 Hyundai Accent has replaced one MT version with an AT Premium trim.

Priced at 568 million VND in Vietnam, the Hyundai Accent 1.5 AT Premium represents a 26 million VND increase compared to the previous-generation Hyundai Accent 1.4 AT Special. This price difference indicates notable enhancements in the top-tier model of the B-segment sedan from the Korean brand.

Bigger Dimensions and a Transformed Exterior

The 2024 Hyundai Accent features a redesigned front end with LED daytime running lights spanning the entire width of the vehicle. The full LED headlights are positioned low and seamlessly integrated with the grille, giving the Accent a resemblance to the Hyundai Stargazer MPV when viewed head-on.

The Accent’s body sides showcase prominent character lines that contribute to its athletic and muscular appearance. Similar to its predecessor, only the Premium trim of the 2024 Accent is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, while the other variants ride on 15-inch wheels.

The rear of the Accent has been transformed with a fastback-style design, giving it a sportier look. The LED taillights stretch across the width of the vehicle, creating a visual connection to its bigger sibling, the Hyundai Elantra sedan.

The 2024 Hyundai Accent boasts a redesigned exterior and improved dimensions. Photo: TC Motor.

The 2024 Hyundai Accent has grown in size, with dimensions of 4,535 x 1,765 x 1,485 mm (length x width x height) and a wheelbase of 2,670 mm. Compared to its predecessor, the new Accent is 95 mm longer, 36 mm wider, and 15 mm taller, while the wheelbase has been extended by 70 mm.

These increased dimensions, particularly the wheelbase, result in a more spacious cabin for the Hyundai Accent. With a wheelbase of 2,670 mm, it surpasses competitors such as the Suzuki Ciaz (2,650 mm), Toyota Vios (2,620 mm), and Honda City (2,600 mm) in this aspect.

A Host of Interior Upgrades

The interior of the Hyundai Accent 1.5 AT Premium is where significant improvements can be found.

Instead of a 4.2-inch digital information display, the 2024 Accent now features a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster seamlessly integrated with an 8-inch infotainment system that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This setup is a notable upgrade for the B-segment sedan.

The Hyundai Accent 2024 features a two-spoke steering wheel and a dual-screen setup.

The steering wheel has been redesigned from a three-spoke to a two-spoke design, a unique feature in the B-segment sedan category. The steering wheel is adjustable in four directions and incorporates audio controls, voice control, cruise control, and lane-keeping functions as part of the Hyundai SmartSense safety package.

The Hyundai Accent 1.5 AT Premium also gains paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, complementing the newly designed leather-wrapped gear knob. The vehicle offers three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport.

The front seats of the Accent Premium are the only ones in its class to feature cooling ventilation. However, the handbrake remains mechanical, and the sunroof has been omitted.

The entire cabin of the Accent Premium is upholstered in leather. The rear seats now include a center armrest with cup holders, rear air vents, and a USB-C charging port for added convenience. Additionally, the 60:40 split-folding rear seats allow for expanded cargo space and the transportation of bulky items.

The interior of the Hyundai Accent 2024 features numerous upgrades, but the sunroof has been removed.

However, the most significant upgrade in the Accent Premium compared to its predecessor is the inclusion of the Hyundai SmartSense safety suite, which includes features such as forward collision-avoidance assist, forward collision warning, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

The top-tier trim of the B-segment sedan also comes equipped with six airbags, a six-speaker audio system, wireless charging, speed limit information, and a smart key with remote engine start. While the trunk release is manual, it now includes a hands-free function, which is convenient when carrying luggage.

More Powerful Engine

Under the hood, the 2024 Hyundai Accent has been upgraded from the 1.4L Kappa engine to the more potent 1.5L SmartStream G engine. As a result, the new Accent delivers 115 horsepower and 144 Nm of torque, marking a significant improvement over its predecessor.

Compared to the previous generation, the 2024 Accent gains an additional 15 horsepower and 12 Nm of torque. These figures position the Accent Premium slightly ahead of the Toyota Vios G (106 hp, 140 Nm) and on par with the Mazda2 1.5L Premium (110 hp, 144 Nm). However, it falls just short of the Honda City RS (119 hp, 145 Nm) in terms of power output.

The SmartStream G1.5 engine boosts the performance of the Hyundai Accent 2024.

Some may argue that it is a missed opportunity not to offer the turbocharged 1.5L engine (158 hp, 253 Nm) available in the Hyundai Verna for the Indian market. Nonetheless, the upgrade to the 1.5L engine is a welcome improvement that enhances the Accent’s competitiveness within its segment.

Similar to its rivals, the Honda City and Toyota Vios, the latest generation of the Hyundai Accent in Vietnam has transitioned from a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) dubbed iVT.

According to Hyundai, the fuel consumption figures for the Accent Premium are 4.75 liters per 100 km for highway driving, 7.66 liters per 100 km for city driving, and 5.81 liters per 100 km for combined driving. These figures represent a notable improvement over the previous-generation Accent 1.4 AT Special, which consumed 6.2 liters per 100 km in combined driving.

In Conclusion

The 25 million VND price difference between the top-tier trims of the previous and current generations of the Hyundai Accent is justified by the extensive upgrades in terms of interior and exterior design, engine performance, and the inclusion of the Hyundai SmartSense safety package.

The new generation of the Hyundai Accent for the Vietnamese market continues to be locally assembled and is offered in four trim levels, with prices ranging from 439 million to 569 million VND. In comparison, the previous-generation Accent was priced between 426 million and 542 million VND.

The updated pricing for the Hyundai Accent is competitive within its segment, positioning it favorably against rivals such as the Toyota Vios (458-545 million VND) and the Honda City (559-609 million VND).

In the first four months of the year, the Hyundai Accent leads the B-segment sedan sales in Vietnam, with cumulative sales of 3,096 units. During the same period, the Toyota Vios achieved sales of 2,680 units, while the Honda City delivered 2,570 vehicles to customers in Vietnam.