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Looks like: A smaller Elantra
Competes with: Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris
Drivetrain: 132-horsepower (estimated), 1.6-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive
Hits dealerships: Fall 2017
Hyundai fans will recall that the automaker introduced a redesigned version of its entry-level Accent at a Toronto auto show in February. At the time, Hyundai told us it was still determining timing for the Accent in the U.S., where sales popularity for subcompact cars has faltered amid a consumer flight to SUVs.
Related: More Hyundai Accent News
To coin a onetime tagline from the Accent's Honda Fit rival, this Hyundai is go. The automaker confirmed U.S. shoppers will get a redesigned Accent sedan for the 2018 model year in the fall, though the Accent hatchback — a variant Hyundai will offer north of the border — is done stateside. Hyundai showed just one image of the U.S. sedan, but spokesman Miles Johnson said it's "essentially the same car" as its Canadian counterpart (shown below).
Exterior
Much like the fourth-generation Accent shadowed Hyundai's larger Elantra of the same time period, the fifth-gen Accent bears the same crisp lines and tidy dimensions of its compact sibling. Hyundai's six-sided grille sprawls between the headlights and prominent foglight portals; the wraparound taillights borrow cues from other Hyundai sedans. Available features include foglights, LED daytime running lights and 17-inch alloy wheels. Dimensions have grown slightly, with overall width up 1.1 inches, length up 0.6 inch and height unchanged.
Interior
Images of the Canadian interior show a wraparound, shelflike dashboard and a low, storage-friendly center console. Hyundai says the U.S. car will have a standard 5-inch touchscreen, with a 7-inch screen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto optional. Both screens include a backup camera, a feature that regulators will soon require. As subcompacts go, the new Accent offers an extensive roster of options — among them heated seats, a hands-free trunk release, a moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, two USB ports and keyless access with push-button start.
Under the Hood
The Accent pairs a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The engine makes an estimated 132 hp and 119 pounds-feet of torque, Johnson said.
Safety
Standard features include a backup camera and automatic emergency braking, the latter a rarity in an entry-level car.
