DecodedCars2020 Hyundai Accent
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan (Auto), 4dr Sedan (Manual), 5dr Hatch
- Engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 120 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 36 combined · 33 city / 41 hwy
- Length
- 165–172.8 in
- Curb weight
- 2,507–2,685 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 32% better than the average 2020 compact car (27.3 MPG).
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 120 hp, versus about 169 hp for similar 2020 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 Hyundai Accent is a compact car offered with a 1.6L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 173 inches long and 67 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,685 lb (4dr Sedan (Auto)).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 36 MPG combined (33 city / 41 highway), 32% better than the 2020 compact car average of 27.3 MPG, for an estimated $1,850 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2020
- Best combined MPG up from 32 to 36
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Accent →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Tijuana, Mexico
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2020 Accent configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan (Auto) | 172.8 in | 66.9 in | 56.3 in | 101.6 in | 59.4 / 60.2 in | 2,685 lb | 61/39 |
| 4dr Sedan (Manual) | 172.8 in | 66.9 in | 56.3 in | 101.6 in | 59.4 / 60.2 in | 2,507 lb | 61/39 |
| 5dr Hatch | 165 in | 66.9 in | 56.3 in | 101.6 in | 59.4 / 60.2 in | 2,568 lb | 61/39 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accent | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 33 / 41 / 36 | +32% | $1,850 | 248 |
| Accent | 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 39 / 33 | +21% | $2,050 | 273 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 11.3% |
Similar 2020 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Hyundai Accent (this car) | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2020 Toyota Corolla | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2020 Honda Civic | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2020 Toyota Prius | 56 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2020 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 32 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2020 Subaru Impreza | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2020 Hyundai Elantra | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Recalls (4)
Seat Belts › Front · May 19, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V354000 · 230,233 vehicles
- Problem
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
- Risk
- An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioner(s) with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 28, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 229. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall numbers 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-218, and 22V-123 for Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles. All Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles already repaired under the previous recalls will need to have the new remedy completed.
Seat Belts › Front · Apr 1, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V218000 · 6,240 vehicles
- Problem
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Elantra and 2020 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver and passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
- Risk
- Exploding seat belt pretensioners can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 31, 2022. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 223. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-354. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · Feb 9, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V069000 · 354 vehicles
- Problem
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
- Risk
- An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 219. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-796. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-354. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Latch · Aug 6, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V619000 · 348,158 vehicles
- Problem
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
- Risk
- A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
Not every 2020 Hyundai Accent is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Hyundai Accent buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 4 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 2 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 2 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 42,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Accent. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Accent years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Accent | 36 | – | ★★★★★ | 2 | 17 |
| 2021 Accent | 36 | – | ★★★★★ | 4 | 16 |
| 2019 Accent | 32 | 172.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 31 |
| 2018 Accent | 32 | 172.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 19 |
| 2017 Accent | 31 | 162.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 68 |
| 2016 Accent | 31 | 162.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 102 |
| 2015 Accent | 31 | 162.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 70 |
| 2014 Accent | 31 | 162.2 in | Not rated | 1 | 79 |
| 2013 Accent | 32 | 162.2 in | Not rated | 1 | 117 |
| 2012 Accent | 32 | 162.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 121 |
| 2011 Accent | 30 | 159.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 23 |
| 2010 Accent | 31 | 159.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 41 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Hyundai. How we calculate this →