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What's the difference?
While there are plenty of things that somehow improve with age (art, wine, the seemingly ageless Will Smith, to name but a few), the Hyundai Accent is sadly not one of them.
But then, neither does almost any new cars. With new technology, entertainment and safety features launching daily, and with engines that are getting cleaner, more efficient and smoother all the time, a once all-new model can be left looking positively antique in just a handful of years.
But it’s definitely even worse than normal over at Hyundai; the Korean manufacturer that continues to make great forward strides with every new model. From the members of its fast and frantic N Division to its polished SUVs, to the all-new i30 small car, Hyundai is going from strength to strength with neck-breaking speed.
All of which creates a little problem for the pint-sized Accent, which - having launched back in 2011 - is now starting to feel its age. And unlike the Fresh Prince, it isn’t holding up quite so well.
So in lieu of an all new version, Hyundai streamlined the existing Accent family into one value-packed model in 2017, taking the axe to the Active and SR models and replacing both with a single, Sport trim level, which is available in sedan and hatchback guise.
And in creating the Sport, Hyundai aims to blend the best of the Accent range into one handy package. So have they taught this old dog new tricks?
Is it possible for a ‘hot hatch’ to be over-the-top and completely under-the-radar?
When it’s the facelifted version of the radically-styled i30 Sedan N, then definitely. People just don’t associate pocket-rocket fun with the traditionally more-conservative four-door shape.
But the Hyundai, well, just look at it. It begs... nay, demands to differ.
Just facelifted in Australia along with the rest of the i30 Sedan range, the N sells alongside the iconic i30 Hatch N from Europe, and acts as a replacement for the sadly-discontinued i30 Fastback N.
Big shoes to fill then? Let’s stick the boot in and find out!
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.
Big boots to fill? The Hyundai i30 Sedan N stomps its authority with charming confidence and admirable talent. It’s hard to believe one of the biggest challengers to the i30 N hatch comes from its oddly-styled booted cousin. It’s just as thrilling, immersive, enjoyable and easy.
Which means that, if you’re in the market for a performance hot-hatch, it’s time for the sedan version to step into the limelight and be on your shortlist. It’s another N superstar.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
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.
Now, with hot hatches, more usually means less, with spoilers quite literally living up to their name by blighting an otherwise clean and attractive design. For some, anyway. Under the radar and all that.
But the attention-crazy (CN7) i30 Sedan – known otherwise as the seventh-generation Elantra pretty much most other places around the world – seems like the work of a protractor-brandishing origamian who would not down pencil and stop.
Which means that, in the N’s case, more might actually be more, because all the racy extras enhance the appearance of a very distinctively/divisively-designed sedan.
The blacked-out bumper treatment, red brake calipers, side skirts and handsome alloys draw the eyes away from the odd creases and angles that define the i30 Sedan.
The result is a striking four-door fastback that comes into its own. One might suspect the original drawings were of a slammed-down N, with the overtly sporty stuff removed for the necessary lesser grades that most people end up buying.
Which would be a case of less being less!
Anyway, let’s check out the interior.
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.
Germany's small hot-sedan rivals would struggle to match the i30 Sedan N’s sheer practicality.
Running on a newer-generation architecture also shared with the latest Hyundai Kona, the result is a substantially larger, longer and wider proposition than the 2017-vintage i30 N hatch.
Upshot? The driver and passenger have plenty of space to stretch out in, within a palpably more contemporary cabin than presented in the five-door version. It feels like a car from the next size and decade up.
Being the i30 flagship, the N Premium’s dashboard is also dressed up to look suitably upmarket, angled towards the driver and offering twin 10.25-inch screens, with N-specific configurable instrumentation right ahead of the driver. Blue-stitched leather trim and darker cabin elements also set a racier ambience.
Predictably, there’s a comprehensive performance monitor within the touchscreen with all sorts of vehicle and driving data, including a lap timer. Clever if distracting. You might also take note of the big red button under one of the steering-wheel spokes, cringingly labelled NGS for ‘N Grin Shift’.
It brings a modest 7.0kW power boost, lasting only 20 seconds. Great for instant overtaking oomph, presumably.
Speaking of fast driving, lowered sports seats provide sufficient bracing through tight corners and extra ceiling clearance for helmets, while feeling sumptuously supportive the rest of the time. They're quite terrific.
Beyond these, all the regular sensible features found in more-humdrum i30 Sedans – an excellent driving position, ample ventilation, decipherable controls and stacks of useful storage – are also present.
The same applies across the generous back seat area, which lacks nothing for expected amenities to help keep kids of all ages safe, comfy, hydrated, ventilated and connected, while the N’s slightly-smaller boot (down 10 litres over the regular i30 Sedan) is still large enough for most needs at 464L. Blame the chassis stiffness brace back there.
Meanwhile, a space-saver spare lives underneath the wide, flat floor.
Complaints? The longitudinal buttress that runs along the left side of the centre console by the front passenger seat can constrict knee movement. Driver rear vision is poor, while that sloping back-door aperture makes getting in and out a head-banging affair for taller or bouffant-wearing folk.
Otherwise, the i30 Sedan N boasts a well-resolved cabin.
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.
Does it ever!
Regardless of whether we’re talking about a manual or auto, the facelifted i30 Sedan N for 2024 is only available in the one Premium grade, kicking off from $52,000, before on-road costs.
And though now costing a bit more than before, if it’s a booted hot-hatch experience you seek, then this Hyundai has few rivals. And all are all-wheel drive and not front-wheel drive.
The most obvious is the excellent, if slightly less-powerful, Subaru WRX, which – from just $45,990 for the manual – must be considered an incredible bargain. But the Sport auto version for $4000 extra more-closely mirrors the Hyundai’s specification.
After that… there’s Germany. Consider the Mercedes-AMG A35 sedan, but that represents a near-$40K jump. Plus, you’re also approaching $90K before you can get the Merc’s compatriot competitors – Audi’s sleek S3 quattro and BMW's M235i xDrive Gran Coupe – on the road.
This, then, leaves just the WRX as the Hyundai’s sole affordable four-door sedan alternative for hatch-averse buyers.
So, what’s changed in the i30 Sedan N for 2024?
Along with new LED lights featuring Hyundai’s now-signature full-width light bar, it gains new bumpers and alloys, a strengthened body structure, an array of detailed steering and suspension modifications, upgraded driver-assist safety tech and updated multimedia including USB-C ports.
Note, too, the arrival of real-time connected car services Hyundai calls 'Bluelink' that can locate your car or notify emergency services automatically if you’ve had a prang, among other handy things.
These come on top of all the regular N gear, like the striking body kit, electronically controlled suspension, mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD), bespoke performance driving modes, bigger ventilated brake package and special Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.
Premium also heralds the usual expected luxuries, such as adaptive cruise control, heated and vented sports front seats, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, 19-inch alloys and pretty much all of the electronic driver-assist tech in Hyundai's cupboard. See the safety section below for an expanded explanation.
The only options are a $2000 sunroof and $595 premium paint.
That’s all pretty compelling value-for-money, especially for a car this size… and abilities. More on that later.
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.
Make no mistake. Under the bonnet beats the absolute heart and soul of the Hyundai i30 Sedan N.
The engine carries over from before – a 1998cc 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder direct-injection unit, making 206kW of power at 6000rpm and 392Nm of torque between just 2100 and 4700rpm.
Tipping the scales at 1475kg, the resulting power-to-weight ratio is an impressive 140kW/tonne. And, don’t forget, pressing the N Grin Shift unleashes an extra bit of power, bumping the total up to 213kW for a 20-second burst.
The 0-100km/h sprint time takes 5.3 seconds, on the way to a 250km/h top speed.
Refreshingly, traditionalists can still choose a six-speed manual (albeit with a rev-matching function), or eight-speed wet-type DCT dual-clutch auto transmission, and both drive the front wheels via an electro-mechanical limited-slip differential.
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 i30 N DCT’s official combined average consumption is 8.3 litres per 100km, for a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 194g/km.
Around town, that consumption figure shoots up to 11.8L, and drops to 6.3L outside of urban areas. Add 0.2L apiece for the less-efficient (but more-engaging) manual version.
Filling the 47L tank, with 95 RON premium unleaded petrol, you could exceed 565km between refills on average.
With a combination of gentle highway schlepping and blasting through the hills around the fast Murray River-area rural roads, our trip computer indicated a commendable 10L/100km – given this car’s 250km/h performance.
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.
Out about the hilly roads around Albury/Wodonga, the i30 Sedan N feels in its absolute element. The mixture of long open straights and tight corners really show off Hyundai’s incredible chassis tuning capabilities.
i30 Sedan N improvements for 2024 include brakes with better cooling and resistance to fade, stronger engine mounts for improved agility, more insulation, reduced vibrations, upgraded steering components for even more-precise handling and tweaks to the stability control system for more-effective operation.
Suspension is by McPherson-style struts up front and a multi-link rear-end arrangement.
Aided by an active variable exhaust note (which is quite nicely applied), the 2.0-litre four-pot twin-scroll turbo has a deep set of lungs, providing a decent wad of torque as it revs out fast and freely to its 6000rpm red-line. As you might expect, this is deceptively rapid.
Whether driving the solid and well-oiled six-speed manual – surely one of the best in the business and truly a great thing – or super-slick eight-speed DCT, there’s a delightful amount of muscle and speed for the money.
We’re also fans of the steering’s poise and response, resulting in hunkered-down handling that belies this car’s substantial length and width, backed up by lots of feel and feedback.
Throw in delightfully strong and effective braking, and the i30 N is incredibly alert and agile for something so big.
The trade-off of all this athleticism is a consistently firm – though not harsh – ride, as well as some road and tyre-noise intrusion when cruising comfortably along the highway.
As an everyday commuting proposition, the i30 Sedan N is right on the money.
Out on the racetrack, however, it's like on something a little bit more illicit, for things really start coming alive, with the N’s polished chassis set up revealing a satisfyingly vivid bandwidth of capability.
In 'Normal' mode, the front end feels reassuringly planted with minimal understeer, while the rear possesses a playful lightness that allows for progressive back-end lift-off if desired.
The i30 is so exquisitely tuned and pliable it makes amateurs feel like professionals.
Select 'N' mode and the electronic limiters loosen, for proper oversteer fun if that’s your thing, controlled and reeled right back in by meaty, confidence-boosting steering, providing improbably fluent handling for a sedan this size.
Slicing through tight bends and long arcs alike, the Hyundai’s sheer dynamic precision, consistency and discipline are deeply impressive. And intoxicating. We didn’t want to stop.
It may not look like a hot hatch in the prime of its life, but the i30 Sedan N sure behaves like one. And all for just $52K. Cheers, Hyundai!
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.
As with all i30 Sedans, the N does not score an ANCAP rating because it's not available in Europe. The hatch, on the other hand, managed a maximum five stars back in 2017.
Hyundai is pretty confident the sedan would score highly, too, due to a raft of standard driver-assist safety items, including Hyundai’s 'Forward Collision Avoidance Assist' (version 1.5) featuring AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, safe-exit warning and rear cross-traffic alert.
There is no speed operation data for the AEB and lane-assistance systems at this time.
As well, the N owner also scores driver-attention warning, intelligent speed limit assist, adaptive cruise control with full stop/go, rear occupant alert, six airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes with 'Brake Assist' and electronic brake-force distribution, tyre pressure monitors, rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, dusk-sensing headlights, auto high beams, rain-sensing wipers and front/rear parking sensors.
As with all i30 Sedans, the N’s back seat comes with two ISOFIX points as well as a trio of top tethers for straps.
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.
The i30 Sedan N brings a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, as well as one year of roadside assistance.
Service intervals are at 12-months or 10,000km (not at every 15,000km like the regular i30 Sedan), with service pricing published on Hyundai’s website.
Over the first five years, the standard scheduled cost is $1795, or an average of under $360 annually.