The 2018 Hyundai Accent was nicely styled, well-built, economical and, most of all, well-equipped compact
The 2018 Hyundai Accent sedan had the edge over its competitors in styling. It’s smoothly styled and quite European in appearance, well-built and well-equipped.
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Cast your mind back to the early to mid-1970s, when Japanese models like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Datsun 510 were getting a toehold in the North American market.
Despite contempt and resistance from the established carmakers in North America, the offshore imports hit a chord with buyers and ushered in a whole new era of car manufacturing in Canada and the U.S.
The business plan was straightforward: offer people a competently built, affordable and, most of all, well-equipped car that was easy to use on gas and reliable. Skeptics and scoffers abounded, but it didn’t matter. With a few caveats, the Japanese upstarts turned out to be good automobiles. Even now, it’s not that weird to see 1970s-vintage Honda Civics and Datsuns putting around.
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This formula has also been emulated by Korean builders such as Hyundai and Kia with great success. From a relatively humble start in the early 1980s (remember the Pony?), Hyundai has become a major player. Models like the Sonata, Elantra and Accent are at or near the top of their market segments.
The Accent, in particular, is an interesting example. When it debuted in 1994, it was somewhat less than awe-inspiring. Quality was pretty terrible, rust resistance was virtually nonexistent, and it was, well, unreliable. I can remember driving one and dealing with door locks that froze shut and an ignition switch that wouldn’t shut the car off after the key was removed.
If you’re considering a 2018 Hyundai Accent sedan, you’re looking at a used car that has aged gracefully in the subcompact market. When the Accent debuted, it quickly became known for its value, practicality, and low running costs, all of which remain its strengths today.
The 2018 model, available as a sedan or hatchback, comes with a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine offering 130 horsepower. It’s not the most powerful, but it provides reasonable fuel efficiency for city driving and daily commutes, averaging around 7.3 litres/100 km combined.
When new, the 2018 Hyundai Accent was priced between $18,000 and $21,000, depending on the trim level. In 2024, you can expect to find used models priced between $12,000 and $15,000, depending on condition, mileage, and features. Most used versions will come with modern conveniences like a rear-view camera, touchscreen display, heated front seats, and, in some models, even a heated steering wheel – a standout for cars in this price range.
The Accent lacks the finesse of its closest rival and perennial front-runner, the Honda Civic. But it compensates in terms of value for money. The Civic is a smidgeon more driveable and things like switchgear and interior ergonomics are more refined and driver-friendly. This has always been the Civic’s strength and the reason it has been one of the best-selling compacts in Canada for decades.
The Accent’s drivetrain also falls a bit short. It’s willing enough, but 130 horsepower and 119 foot-pounds of torque don’t seem to be enough to propel this car with any authority. During my time with a GLS model, I fought to keep up on steep hills with the gearbox constantly up- and down-shifting. This is not a huge problem, but definitely worth keeping in mind.
That said, the 2018 Hyundai Accent has the edge in styling. This is a personal thing, of course, but I find the Civic just too busy these days, with odd little angles and strange styling cues bumping up all over the place. The Accent is smoothly styled and quite European in appearance. Kudos to Hyundai for keeping it clean.
While it doesn’t have the refinement of a Honda Civic or the sportiness of a Mazda3, the Accent compensates with affordable, no-frills reliability. It offers a smooth ride, clean styling, and simple yet functional interior design. For those seeking a budget-friendly, dependable vehicle that’s easy to maintain, the 2018 Accent remains a smart choice. It’s perfect for anyone who values practicality over flash and needs a car to get them from A to B without fuss.
It works just as well today as it did in 2018.
2018 Hyundai Accent
Engine: 1.6-litre four cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Drive: Front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 130 hp at 6,300 rpm
Torque: 119 foot-pounds at 4,850 rpm
Fuel economy: 8.2 litres/100 km (city) and 6.3 (highway), regular fuel
Some alternatives: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Mazda3, Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Lancer
Ted Laturnus has been an automotive journalist since 1976. He has been named Canadian Automotive Journalist Of The Year twice and is past president of the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).
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