- The 2012 Hyundai Accent debuted Wednesday at the 2011 New York Auto Show, with the Korean automaker ditching the entry-level three-door model priced at $10,000 and admitting it is no longer on a quest to offer the cheapest car in America.
- The base 2012 Hyundai Accent GLS now starts at $13,205, including shipping. The entire 2012 Accent lineup hits the magic 40 mpg on the highway mark.
- There is a pricier new five-door Accent SE that tops the range and starts at $17,555, when you add the optional $1,000 six-speed automatic transmission and a $760 destination charge.
NEW YORK — The 2012 Hyundai Accent debuted Wednesday at the 2011 New York Auto Show, with the Korean automaker ditching the entry-level three-door model priced at just over $10,000 and admitting it is no longer on a quest to offer the cheapest car in America. The redesigned 2012 Accent goes on sale this summer in the U.S.
"We're walking away from the lowest-priced-car-in-America game," one Hyundai executive who did not want to be identified, told Inside Line. "We got initial buzz out of that, then you guys would test it and advise consumers to buy a used Ford Focus."
For the time being, the cheapest-car title shifts to the 2011 Nissan Versa sedan, which starts at $10,750, including a $760 shipping charge.
The least expensive 2012 Accent is the GLS model with the new 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder engine linked to a six-speed manual transmission. It starts at $13,205, including a $760 shipping charge. Like the 2011 Hyundai Accent three-door GL, which started at $10,735, including a $750 shipping charge, it comes without a radio or air-conditioning.
Despite the new packaging and pricing strategy, the 2012 Accent still undercuts several competitors, including the 2011 Ford Fiesta and the 2011 Toyota Yaris. The 2011 Ford Fiesta S starts at $13,995, including a $675 shipping charge. The 2011 Toyota Yaris three-door hatchback starts at $13,715, including a $760 shipping charge.
In comparison, the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo LS has a base price of $12,875, including a $760 shipping charge, while the 2011 Kia Rio sedan starts at $12,990, including a $695 shipping charge.
"In the 2011 model year, 16 percent of total Accent sales were the (cheapest) version," said Brandon Ramirez, Hyundai Motor America product planner for the Accent, in a phone conversation with Inside Line prior to the 2011 New York Auto Show. "There are people who want a vehicle with a low price."
When asked why Hyundai would walk away seemingly without a fight from the cheapest-car title — and the psychologically important $10,000 mark — Ramirez said he didn't believe the calculated move would hurt Accent sales or its image. "We announced the pricing to our dealers and they were very enthusiastic," he said.
Ramirez said the Accent three-door hatchback got dumped after getting "hammered" in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Survey for a rear seat that was difficult to get in and out of.
The overall pricing strategy for the 2012 Accent definitely moves the subcompact car upscale. Case in point is the pricey new five-door Accent SE that starts at $17,555, when you add the optional $1,000 six-speed automatic transmission and a $760 shipping charge. The sporty Accent SE is the top-of-the-range model and comes with sport-tuned steering, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a rear spoiler and other goodies.
The 2012 Accent comes in three trim levels: GLS, GS and SE. The base GS five-door starts at $15,355, including shipping.
The redesigned 2012 Accent gets a new 1.6-liter four-cylinder GDI engine rated at 138 horsepower and linked to a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic transmission.
Hyundai said the entire 2012 Accent lineup will return 30 mpg in city driving and 40 mpg on the highway. Official EPA numbers on the Accent have not been posted on the EPA Web site at this point. The 2011 Hyundai Accent with the old 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission returns 27 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA.
The redesigned Accent was first revealed last year at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show as the Hyundai Verna. The two models have different front ends, with the U.S. version getting the automaker's hexagonal front grille and swept-back headlights.
The new Accent rides on a 101.2-inch wheelbase, nearly 3 inches longer than the outgoing model. Aerodynamic design tweaks include a kicked-up trunk edge, wheel arches that shield the tires and a smoother lower body. Five-door SE models get a roof-mounted spoiler and vertical taillights. Bigger 16-inch alloy wheels are optional on GLS and standard on SE.
Another major change on the 2012 Accent is electric power steering. The previous model had a hydraulic unit.
Six-speed automatic transmission models of the 2012 Accent get the ActiveEco feature which modifies the engine and transmission control to smooth out throttle response and improve fuel economy. Consumers have the option to turn off that feature.
Inside Line says: With the Hyundai Accent moving upmarket, the door is wide open for the Chinese to step into the U.S. with a $10,000 or under car. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
wittdog says:
09:26 AM, 06/18/2011
phill1 says: Add in all the expensive recommended dealer service requirements like $50. oil changes and vehicle safety checks adds up real quickly. True, the 5 year 60K Warranty is a huge plus and could be a deal breaker for some.
I own a 2002 Hyundai Elantra. I have always used the dealership for oil changes. They are cheaper than the quick lube places out there. I just had my oil changed and it cost $17 at the dealership. That was with a $4 dollar coupon. It would have been a little over $20 without the coupon. I don't know who would pay $50 for an oil change. My local Hyundai dealership doesn't charge that much for an oil change.
occadriver says:
11:49 PM, 06/05/2011
There is a niche here that will be filled by the Chinese, too bad the American Auto companies have already surrendered this price point to the Koreans/Chinese/Indians(Nano).
If Jeep can still sell Wranglers, why can't Ford or GM come up with a 2 seat, 3 or 4 wheel vehicle that is safe, gets good mileage and is as basic as a Model A.
The Smart missed.
The Mini missed.
The Chinese cars will not perform as well or be as safe but they will be cheap disposable cars and they will sell millions of them.
If I want to go 3 miles to the store for a gallon of milk, I don't need 300 HP, Power windows, AC, traction control or 150 MPH. I need 0-45 in under 12 seconds and 50-60 mpg and keep the rain/sun off of me.
ps. I wonder how the owners manuals will read? " To ignite the engine make sure the brakes are not off and always wear safety goggles."
hyundai12 says:
07:07 PM, 05/30/2011
Price maybe important. But there is one thing you are failing to recognize. The quality of the Hyundai product has improved dramatically. Take a look at the recall of your Toyotas and Hondas. The quality of the Hyundai is better than the Japanese cars. I know I have owned both a Honda and a Hyundai. From my personal experience Hyundai's new cars are superior to the Japanese cars. Pay the extra money the product is what the Japanese cars use to be.
hypermiler2 says:
12:58 PM, 05/18/2011
kind of reminds me of the civic in the 90's.. in terms of value.
phill1 says:
09:54 AM, 04/30/2011
Can Any At Hyundai Motors America HMA spell the word "REBATE" Better hit your spell check quickly and use it as soon as the 2012 Hyundai Accent hits the Dealerships lot. Ford sold over 10,000 Fiesta`s last month and with gasoline heading very quickly to $5.00@ gallon, they will be selling like hot cakes w/rebates too. There are very few buyers that won`t pay an additional $1100. and upgrade to the Hyundai Elantra that gets the same fuel economy as the Accent with the same vehicle content if they choose the Sedan version vs the Hatchback...just saying. Sure the guarantee trade in feature is a Hyundai "plus" but there is (no) free lunch. Add in all the expensive recommended dealer service requirements like $50. oil changes and vehicle safety checks adds up real quickly. True, the 5 year 60K Warranty is a huge plus and could be a deal breaker for some.
lcw1 says:
01:11 PM, 04/25/2011
The competition at that price range could prove difficult to beat. It's Ok for them to raise prices but they could have done it in steps. Give consumers time to trust the product and identify with the brand first but what do we know? The 2011 Sonata is all new design with more features then Camry, Malibu, Accord and Altima yet there are over 3600 used 2011 Sonatas on the market with very attractive mileage and price. 15,000 can get you a used 2011 with under 20,000 miles. The 2011 sales do not indicate that the Sonata sold more than the competition so one expects common sense to prevent the smart shoppers from speding $17,000 on the Accent instead of a Honda Fit or Ford Fiesta. Hyundai decision will be more good news for 2012 Nissan Vesa that has more room and much lower price.
tdiluv says:
04:12 PM, 04/21/2011
Where is the HYUNDAI 35MPG pickup truck ? Maybe 2013 ?
phill1 says:
04:04 PM, 04/21/2011
Read the Media Press Release and IMO Hyundai has made two glaring mistakes with it new 2012 Accent offerings. First, only the 4 door Sedan offered in GLS Trim has the interior option of two-toned tan/beige and gray. The 5 door Hatchback GL and SE lines only offer Grey or Charcoal/Black! I would not consider a White exterior without a tan or beige interior, dark grey or black is too drab. Now, I either must forgo the Hatchback to get the exterior and interior color choice I prefer or find another exterior color I can live with and choose the lighter grey interior offering. Next, if one does not want to upgrade to the Maximum trim level in either the GLS Sedan or SE Hatchback and can live nicely without leather wrapped steering wheel and shift lever, bluetooth, alloy wheels, upgraded armrest, and roof spoiler, why the downgrade from 16`` tires to 14``? I can see dropping (one) size down to 15``, but 14``? With the steel wheels and covers and those tiny tires it will make the vehicle look like a toy or "Flint Stone" car. Also, including the keyless remote fob on the Hatchback with A/T as standard and requiring the full trim upgrade on the GLS Sedan to get the keyless remote fob? Hope it is an accessory that can be purchased at the dealers parts department later. No mention of the 2012 Hyundai Accent having DRL`s as standard equipment for USA vehicles either. Both the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata and 2011 Hyundai Elantra`s have Daytime Running Lights.
johnferinal says:
04:00 PM, 04/21/2011
It is a failure to price that five door at 17.5K. With that money, I would buy a Corolla or Civic. The Huyndai brand is getting more and more expensive, which is not a good thing, since most of people buy them as cheaper alternatives to the Japanese cars.
ambee514 says:
03:56 PM, 04/21/2011
Thank you for dumping the cheapest car in America Hyundai! The Hyundai identity crisis is over, I can now consider the Genesis Coupe.