BMW 2 Series vs Hyundai Accent

What's the difference?

It may be expensive for a small coupe. And EVs have reframed performance standards to the detriment of most internal combustion engine sports cars like this – at least for acceleration times. But the M240i xDrive Coupe is far more than just about numbers, imbuing the soul and spirit of what makes this brand’s vehicles so enjoyable and memorable to drive.

A unique and most-welcome survivor today, the MY25 makeover takes all that, and improves the interior, to be at the heart of what BMW has traditionally done best (styling aside). We found parting with it at the end of our term very difficult.

It might be getting harder and harder to hide its age, but there is still plenty to like about Hyundai's cheapest car. Those who really love to drive need not apply, and nor should long-distance travellers, but the Accent Sport's alloy wheels, true smartphone integration and plenty of power and USB points will thrill its younger owners, while its long-range warranty and cheap servicing costs don't hurt either.

Still, if you think you can stretch to an i30, you should definitely drive one first.

BMW has iconic form when it comes to coupe, err, form.

Consider the timeless E9 Coupe of 1968, its elegant E24 6 Series successor of 1976 and the chiselled E31 8 Series of 1990.

Even the sinewy E82 1 Series Coupe of 2007 still resonates.

But, despite boasting long-nose/short-tail proportions, today’s G42 looks awkward from some angles, like a Lego version of the preceding F22 of 2014, complete with cartoonishly aggressive detailing that don’t sit happily on the car.

Not Munich’s finest moment. Still, as one of the last surviving small coupes, we’re still very glad it exists. And, in a rare case of more being more, this M240i’s body kit disguises some of the heavy-handedness.

So, what’s new here? Barely earning the facelift tag outside, the MY25 2 Series Coupe gains extra colours, restyled alloys and revised exterior trim, with more body paint in the lower parts and rear apron, as well as high-gloss black for the M240i’s mirror caps.

Inside, the modifications are more profound, updating to BMW’s 'Operating System 8.5', offering improved functionality and all housed within a fetching, single-piece rectangular display screen that also takes in the instrumentation.

Along with a flat-bottomed steering wheel, redesigned air vent knobs, fewer buttons, revised trim and different ambient lighting, they refresh what was a dated-looking cabin.

It looks good, the Accent, just not quite as good as its bigger Hyundai brothers. And that’s got to sting, if only a little bit. 

Words like "subtle", "restyled” and “enhanced design” pepper the Accent’s media information, and so we’re not talking massive changes. But the exterior of the Sport looks sharp, especially in the 'Pulse Red' of our test car. Other colours include 'Chalk White', 'Lake Silver', 'Phantom Black', 'Sunflower' (yellow), and 'Blue Lagoon', but there’s no green, orange or grey paint available.

First, though, don’t let the whole 'sport' thing fool you. You’ll find no Fast and Furious body kit, nor is there much in terms of a rear spoiler, side skirts or a rear diffuser. Instead, a silver-framed mesh grille (a smaller version of the one that adorns the i30) blends into the headlights that then sweep back into the body, while subtle power lines create a little dome in the bonnet, starting at the edges of the Hyundai badge and getting wider as they sweep back across the bonnet. 

Side on, the alloys are clean and simple, and a single style crease runs the length of the body, intersecting both door handles on each side. At the rear, though, the concave body styling doesn’t quite work so well, ending up looking busier than the rest of the car, and leaving it with too much body and not enough rear window.

Inside, as you can see from our interior photos, there is plenty of hard plastic, but there have been some design flourishes that give them a nicer texture and go some way to disguising the fact they’re hard enough to be used as a weapon in a roadside road rage dispute.

But it’s a simple and clean design, with patterned cloth (what, you were expecting leather seats at this price point?) seats, an uncluttered centre cluster and a sparing use of silver highlights that break up the black of the dash and doors.

You can also option everything from tailored floor mats to interior lighting, forming a kind of personalised premium package for the Accent Sport.

You could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into a mid-sized rather than small coupe, with today’s G42 being larger in every area except wheelbase than an E46 3 Series Coupe of about 25 years ago.

Length, width, height and wheelbase dimensions are 4548mm, 1838mm, 1404mm and 2741mm, respectively, which make for a surprisingly easy-to-access and spacious cabin – at least for adults up front.

In fact, if nobody is sat behind, even a 200cm-plus individual can stretch out. German cars are great at accommodating the 99-percentile people. And head room’s not bad either, even with the standard sunroof.

BMW’s are about driving, so no shocks to learn that the M240i’s driving position is first class. Sat low and snug, this is a suitably sporty yet incredibly comfortable and high-quality environment, aided by nicely bolstered M Sport seats, a lovely steering wheel and a beautifully presented dashboard. Everything fits like a glove.

If the notion of reducing the number of buttons in the newly-extended electronic interface raises red flags (how many times have we moaned about this in most software-based Chinese vehicles?), rest assured: the M240i’s ergonomics are spot-on.

There are still plenty of switches alongside the iDrive controller and gearshifter for all major vehicle functions, Porsche-style, as well as big old physical buttons for the (soaring) audio, to back up the screen shortcuts for more-detailed functions. It only takes a few moments to learn how easy and intuitive the whole set-up is. BMW leads the way here.

Crisp, clear and colourful digital graphics almost make up for the fact that the gorgeous old analogue dials of old are extinct. Instead, the company serves up unremarkable angular instrument displays and electronic readouts. Very comprehensive and informative, they do the job, but are utterly bereft of character or style. It’s as if Munich’s designers have forgotten how to make things look pretty nowadays. Hang on, do we see a pattern emerging here?

More solid Teutonic sensibility – this time far-more artfully served up – can be found in the excellent ventilation system, ample console-sited storage and pleasingly deep door pockets, highlighting how easy the M240i is to live with.

Crash regulations demand central posts, so no pillarless sides unfortunately in this modern coupe, but frameless door glass is nice (and assists in entry/egress when retracted), enhancing that sporty sensation.

The flipside is poor side and rear vision for the driver, but – frankly – it is otherwise difficult to fault the M240i’s interior layout and presentation.

Even the back-seat area tries hard.

The seats whirr forward and back (slowly) to increase/decrease the narrow aperture as required (using a shoulder-height lever within easy reach), though you’ll need to be pretty flexible accessing the two-person buckets that await. Once ensconced there, there’s sufficient space, padding and support for most folk of up to about 180cm to travel in reasonable comfort, as long as the front-seat occupants aren’t in maximum chaise longue mode and journeys aren’t too long. The quite-upright backrest angle can’t be adjusted.

Just ensure the climate control is on. Things can become pretty stuffy, quickly. And be thankful for the air vents, extended glass area, middle armrest with cupholders and reading lights.

Further back, there is a large-ish, 390-litre boot with a low, wide and flat floor, that can be extended by tugging on a handle to drop the 40/20/40 split/fold backrests as required.

The usual tie-down hooks, lighting and power outlets are present, but you’ll search in vain for a space-saver wheel. Just the dreaded 'tyre mobility kit' that – once deployed – will likely ruin your tyre and cost hundreds to replace. No thanks.

A gashed tyre. No phone coverage. What a way to ruin a great drive day out on your favourite rural roads and in such an immensely enjoyable car. Australia demands a spare tyre.

It’s every bit as practical as you might expect, the Accent Sport, given that you’re unlikely to be using something this size as a pseudo moving van anytime soon.

The 4155mm long, 1700mm wide and 1450mm high (the sedan is 4370mm long) Accent Sport's interior dimensions feel spacious up front, and while the front seats are a little too flat, the cabin feels airy and light. There are two cupholders up front, too, and there’s room in the front doors for extra bottles. 

Like all Hyundais, the little Accent boasts most of the technology options favoured by younger buyers, like a USB point, an aux connection and two 12-volt power outlets all housed in a tiny storage bin underneath the centre console. There’s a sunglass holder, too, integrated into the roof. 

The backseat is sparse but spacious enough, with enough room for adults to sit behind adults in comfort - at least in the two window seats. That’s about it back there, though, with no technology options, vents or air-con controls.

Boot space is a useable 370 litres in hatch guise, but luggage capacity grows to 465 litres should you opt for the sedan, with both of those figures measured in VDA. Optional roof racks and rails (and other offical accessories like a rubber cargo liner, mud flaps or dedicated bike, snowboard and surfboard carriers) help increase the pint-size Accent’s load-lugging ability.

As does a handy (and optional) cargo liner that helps separate your groceries, sitting neatly under the cargo cover that shields you luggage from prying eyes outside. Perhaps unsurprisingly, you can’t get a factory-offered bull bar.

There are two ISOFIX attachment points, one in each window seat, as well as three top-tether points across the back row.

The price list for the Hyundai Accent range - available only in single, Sport trim - starts at $15,490 for the six-speed manual version, and will cost $2k more ($17,490) for the six-speed auto version, with those prices identical for hatch and sedan versions. So, not much of a walk through a valley of trim levels, then.  

Yes, you could be forgiven for asking “how much!?”, given that’s a little more than we’ve grown accustomed to paying for the cheapest - and on perennial runout - Hyundai model, but there are enough standard features on offer to sweeten the deal. Besides, the inevitable drive-away pricing deals will almost certainly improve the value equation, too.

Outside, expect 16-inch alloy wheels and LED indicators integrated into the side mirrors - though there aren't projector headlights, daytime running lights or any of the other, more high-end appointments.

Inside, you’ll find cloth seats, cruise control, air-conditioning, a power window for everyone, powered mirrors, steering wheel controls and a digital clock.

Finally, the tech stuff is covered by an Apple CarPlay-equipped (meaning you can use your iPhone’s GPS as your navigation system) 5.0-inch touchscreen that pairs with a stereo with four speakers. Android Auto is also available, via a 15-minute software upgrade done through the dealer. The screen is too small to use for in-depth stuff, like searching for a phone number, but it mostly does the job just fine.

It also means that, as well as a CD player, you’ll get radio, Bluetooth, MP3, podcast and Spotify access, all played through the car’s sound system. You can forget a subwoofer or DVD player, though, unless you opt for an aftermarket multimedia system.

Sure, that’s not the most comprehensive list of goodies - there aren’t deeply tinted windows, no sunroof and the touchscreen is rather small, and while there’s central locking that allows keyless entry, there's no push-button start. 

But then, $15,490 isn’t much in the world of new cars, and so to score alloy rims, powered everything and genuine phone integration (all things that will attract your future buyers - and protect your resale value - should you sell it second hand) is not to be sneezed at.

As before, the M240i employs a 3.0-litre direct-injection turbo-charged in-line six-cylinder petrol engine, making a heady 285kW of power at 6500rpm and 500Nm of torque between 1900rpm and 5000rpm.

A ZF-supplied eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission is fitted (and, sadly, no manual is available), driving all four wheels via an AWD system with an M Sport-tuned differential.

The one Accent on offer is powered by a single engine; a petrol-sipping (there’s no diesel, LPG or turbo), 1.6-litre motor that will produce a solid-sounding 103kW (138 horsepower) at 6300rpm and 167Nm of torque at 4850rpm. They are good specs, and it stands up to most competitors in an engine vs engine models comparison. It pairs with a choice of six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic transmission.

There used to be a fairly underwhelming 1.4-litre engine size paired with a CVT auto in the now-axed Accent variant, but this bigger engine is much, much better, and makes for much happier reading on the specifications sheet.

The Accent is front-wheel drive only, with no 4x4, AWD or rear-wheel drive options available. It will serve up a 900kg braked and 450kg unbraked towing capacity, with an optional tow bar/ball fitted. Kerb weight is listed as between 1070kg and 1170kg.

The Accent Sport uses MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension (no sophisticated air systems on offer), and Hyundai doesn’t quote any 0-100km/h, acceleration or speed figures.

Rated as a Euro 6d-compliant vehicle, the M240i’s average combined fuel consumption figure is 8.0 litres per 100km, for a carbon dioxide emissions average of 185 grams/km.

With a 52-litre tank brimmed with premium unleaded petrol (98 RON minimum is recommended), that should result in about 650km between refills on average.

Over a mix of urban and highway driving, we managed 8.9L/100km, which is better than the pre-facelift version’s 9.6L/100km. That’s impressive stuff for a performance-orientated sports coupe.

For fuel consumption, Hyundai claims 6.3 litres (6.6 litres for the sedan) per hundred kilometres on the combined cycle. But as with all of these manufacturer-supplied figures, there’s always a some sort of variation in the real world km/l fuel economy.

Just how much variation is dependent on how heavy your right foot is, but after my (admittedly city-based) week with the car, the trip computer had my mileage at 11.0L/100km. If you were to adopt an eco mode driving style, that would surely improve, though.

The Accent’s fuel tank size is fairly small, with a fuel capacity of just 43 litres - perfect for the city, less so for long-distance cruising. Emissions are a claimed 146g (154g in the hatch) per kilometre of C02. 

The M240i xDrive’s specification reads like it’s straight out of BMW fan fiction.

Nestled within a shrunken 3 Series-derived 'CLAR' platform brandishing near-50:50 weight distribution, stuffed between beefed-up struts up front, is a strident in-line six, driving the rear or all four wheels via an M Sport differential and held up by a multi-link rear axle.

The promise here is an athletic driving machine on one hand and a cosseting grand tourer on the other, but whether the M240i can walk that fickle red line as effortlessly four years on… well, that’s what we’re here to find out. As we said earlier, sub-3.5s Teslas and the like have really messed with the bang-for-your-buck playbook since 2021.

Luckily, the reality only reiterates the 2 Series Coupe’s place in the sun. Rather than the anodyne (or artificial) whine of an electric motor, here instead is one of the greatest modern engines in the world, mated to arguably the best auto transmission ever in existence.

That’s a terrific start. And, once the button is pressed, the M240i’s performance bandwidth is deeply moving and immensely satisfying.

With a kerb weight of 1690kg, the M240i’s power to weight ratio is an impressive 168.6kW/tonne, helping it to scoot from standstill to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds, on the way to an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h. Note that the M2 flagship is just 0.3s quicker to 100.

Pottering about town in its most benign ('Eco Pro') setting, the B58-hearted Bimmer slinks about gingerly, purring like a content tabby while skimming along over all sorts of urban roads like a luxury car costing a lot more should, taking everything in its stride. Given this is what driving is like for most people most of the time, the BMW nails it.

More throttle unleashes a surging snarl as the BMW’s speed steps up, with varying degrees of urgency according to the driver’s will and desire. Racing up through the gears, the German straight six feels like it has barely stirred; like things are just warming up.

In conjunction with Sport mode, here is where the M240i really starts to take off, leaping into action, engine roaring as speeds soar as if every road is a stretch of derestricted autobahn. The pace of this coupe is quite remarkable. Planted yet precise, the steering firms up as the chassis hunkers down, and you’re left in awe of how calm and composed the car constantly feels. Even in pouring rain.

As the roads start to snake and twist, the BMW glides through the chosen line with startling grip and confidence, without ever feeling nervous or twitchy in standard traction settings, regardless of surface or weather conditions. That’s the AWD doing its thing.

The M240i is all about nuance and control, whether you’re talking steering, handling, roadholding, braking or electronic intervention. It is refreshing to feel so connected to the driving experience so intimately.

As we said back in 2022, plonking for Sport Plus mode, with the stability and traction nannies neutered, is an easy street to big old oversteer spills and thrills, if so desired.

And then, you’re back in Eco Pro, crawling along in cocooned comfort and relying on the ADAS tech to waft you along, before being back in 'Individual' mode as the road ahead clears, with powertrain in 'Sport' but the suspension in 'Comfort'; just right for times when you just want to streak ahead of slower traffic without pummelling your spine. It’s all there for you. The M240i can do it all.

Inevitably, in Sport mode the ride’s firmness can be fatiguing on bad urban roads. Likewise, the tyre noise over coarse bitumen is tiring over longer drives. And it is all too easy to exceed the speed limit.

Earlier, we said we prefer this over the extroverted, track-focused M2, despite the latter’s astounding speed, thunderous soundtrack and tremendous dynamic capabilities, and that’s because of the M240i’s ability to deliver pleasure with everyday user-friendliness. Plus, the performance flagship is only 0.3s quicker to 100.

Maybe the latest base manual M2 might change our minds.

As it stands, on the move, the M240i is BMW in full flight, staying true to brand values but without frying your nerves or depleting your bank account too much. We love it and you should too.

With its sharp design and gleaming alloys, the Accent Sport doesn’t look like an entry-level model, and nor is it immediately obvious that it’s the cheapest way into the Hyundai family. The downside, though, is it does feel that way from behind the wheel.

A little harsher, a little more road noise and a little more gruff than Hyundai’s more expensive models (including the very good i30), it’s the unfair victim of the brand’s staggering success, which has left the Accent feeling a bit old-school by comparison.

That said, it's perfectly suited to inner-city life, and if you’re cruising around using minimal inputs, it does it all smoothly and quietly. The steering feels a little slack at slow speeds, with plenty of dead air when you first start turning the wheel, but none of that bothers you much in the city.

With its sharp design and gleaming alloys, the Accent Sport doesn’t look like an entry-level model.

The grunt from that engine is refreshingly ample for a small car, and provides plenty of punch to get you moving from traffic lights, while the seating position is high enough that vision is great out of every window (except the rear - you’ll be using the reversing camera for that one).

Take it out of town, though, and the refinement begins to vanish. The engine sounds harsh under heavy acceleration, the transmission can be confused - especially around 80km/h, where moving your foot a fraction can force continual changes up or down, like it's wrestling with a big life decision. 

The only other question mark is over the suspension set-up, which for some reason favours sporty firmness in a car unlikely to be asked to achieve anything more dynamic than sitting at 50km/h. The result is a ride that can feel noticeably firm over bad road surfaces.

The Accent’s 140mm ground clearance (not to mention the fact it’s a front-wheel drive city car) should be enough to persuade you not to test its off-road performance. And its turning radius is 10.4m.

It’s a pretty straightforward offering here, with six airbags (dual front, front-side and curtain), a reverse camera and the usual suite of driving, traction and braking aids, like power steering, ESP and EBD, headlining a pretty short list of safety stuff.

There are no parking sensors as standard, though, nor will you find AEB, lane departure warning or any other, more advanced features.

The Accent was awarded the maximum five-star ANCAP rating, but the organisation’s demands for safety rating features were less comprehensive when it was crash tested back in 2011.

If you're one who cares about where cars are manufactured, and were wondering where is Hyundai's Accent built, the answer is Ulsan, South Korea. And that’s no bad thing.

BMW offers a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, matching all of its German rivals, as well as three years of roadside assistance.

As always, servicing frequency is condition-based, depending on how they’re driven, amongst other factors, with an indicator on the instrument panel to alert the driver/owner. That said, our advice is to always visit your BMW dealer annually or at every 10,000km, just to be certain.

Capped-price servicing is not offered.

However, the ‘BMW Service Inclusive Basic package’ is available at extra cost, covering scheduled servicing for five years/80,000km, as long as the scheme is subscribed to before the end of the first 12 months of first registration. A 2 Series should cost from $2380.

It’s a very strong ownership picture, with the Accent Sport covered by Hyundai’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, and requiring a trip to the service centre every 12 months or 15,000km.

A capped-price servicing plan helps take the guesswork out of your service cost, too, with guide prices at between $245 and $345 per year for the first five years.

For known Hyundai Accent issues and common problems, complaints and faults - including any known clutch, suspension, gearbox, engine, battery or automatic transmission problems - head to CarsGuide's dedicated Hyundai Problems page. 

One of the most common mechanical questions asked is whether the Accent uses a timing belt or chain, and the Sport uses a timing belt. Check your owners manual for recommended durations between changing  it.

Hyundais traditionally score very well in international reliability rating surveys, which helps protect its second-hand ratings.