Hyundai Accent Review (1994 to 2000)

Quick Summary

Those wanting cheap, practical transport could do much worse than consider Hyundai's Accent. While most pay more for Corsas, Fiestas and Micras, you could be in something larger and cheaper to run that almost never goes wrong. Sounds tempting doesn't it?

Overall:

Models Covered: (OCT 1994-2000)(Accent 4dr 1.3 [LSi, SE] / Accent 5dr 1.3 [LSi] / Accent Coupe 3dr 1.3 [i, Si] / Accent 4dr 1.5 [GLSi] / Accent 5dr 1.5 [GSi, GLSi] / Accent Coupe 3dr 1.5 16v [MVi])

ACCENT ON AFFORDABILITY

The Hyundai Accent was the car that finally brought the South Korean marque into the mainstream UK market. Certainly, its technology and equipment levels were basic. Nevertheless, they were adequate for the needs of buyers who placed a greater priority on low prices and exemplary reliability. As a cheap used secondhand car, the Accent makes a lot of sense.
Used Hyundai Accent for sale

History of the Accent

The Accent saloon range was launched in October 1994, with five-door hatches and three-door 'Coupes' arriving in January 1995. Buyers had the choice of 1.3 and 1.5-litre petrol powerplants developing 83 and 87bhp respectively (though Coupes initially came in 1.3-litre form only). Little has been done to the car in its model life. A high-level brake light was added in October 1995 and in September 1996 a short-lived SE saloon appeared but lasted only a year. In January 1997, a 'warm hatch' 16-valve MVi Coupe model was added to the range with a 1.5-litre engine developing 98bhp. A freshen-up for the entire range followed that Spring, with all variants getting a restyled grille, new bumpers and revised rear light clusters. Various special editions (the 1.3-litre Alaska 3-door in March 1998 and two 1.3 E models plus a 1.5 Sport in October) and freshen-ups followed and the range was slightly revised in the Summer of 1999 with an entry-level Siena model slotting in below i, GSi and MVi variants. Around the same time, a limited edition 1.5 SE five-door appeared, too. An all-new Accent appeared early in 2000.
Used Hyundai Accent for sale

Hyundai Accent Road Test

The 1.3 and 1.5-litre engines, which drive the front wheels via a five-speed transmission, are entirely Hyundai's own design and manufacture. So is the gearbox, the chassis and just about everything else. There's no sign of the Mitsubishi-derived hardware used in the previous X2 model.It's not a recipe set up to please the sporting motorist – not even in 16-valve MVi form – but most buyers don't care about that. The 1.3-litre model makes 60 in 12.8 seconds on the way to 104mph and is capable of up to 60mpg.
Used Hyundai Accent for sale

Buying a Hyundai Accent

Try for a 1.5-litre model, not because it's much more powerful (it isn't) but because you'll get power steering as standard. Plusher LSi and GLSi models add niceties such as tinted glass, a sunroof, electric front windows and central locking but only the latter has a driver's airbag. Not much goes wrong but the interiors don't wear well and some examples may show signs of heavy front tyre wear.
Used Hyundai Accent for sale

Hyundai Accent Typical Pricing

The earliest 94L-registered 1.3-litre Accents in LSi 5dr form start from around £1,000 if you can find one. You'll more likely come across N to 99S-registered models at between £1,300 and £2,000. Three-door 94L-registered Coupes start at around £1,000, depending on mileage and your choice between i or Si spec. More common M to S-registered examples will cost between £1,200 and £2,200.If you want 1.5-litre power (initially 5dr hatches and saloons only), a GLSi variant will cost from £1,300 on an L-plate, while M to 99S-registered cars range from £1,100 to £2,200. The sporty MVi 16-valve Coupe comes on 97P plates onwards from £1,900.
Used Hyundai Accent for sale

Hyundai Accent Parts

(Approx - based on an Accent 1.5 GLSi) A clutch assembly is about £125 and brake pads around £45. You'll pay around £100 for a headlamp, around £170 for a radiator, around £205 for a windscreen and up to £40 for a quality tyre. A pair of shock absorbers is around £75.
Used Hyundai Accent for sale