2000-2005 Hyundai Accent Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Hyundai Accent. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Hyundai Accent.

2000-2005 Hyundai Accent Review

Redesigned and slightly enlarged for 2000, Hyundai's smallest and least-expensive model also featured fresh styling. Wheelbase grew by 1.6 inches. The new Accent was about 5 inches longer than before, almost 2 inches wider, and up to 192 pounds heavier. Interior and cargo volumes were little-changed. Hyundai's front-drive subcompact competed against the Chevrolet Metro, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Mitsubishi Mirage, Toyota Echo, Daewoo Lanos, and Kia Rio. Two body styles were offered: a two-door hatchback in base or GS trim, and a four-door sedan that came only in top-level GL guise. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 92 horsepower, with a standard five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic transmission, optional in GS and GL models, featured Hyundai's Adaptive Logic, which was designed to limit unnecessary gear changes on grades or while decelerating. Hyundai claimed that the new-generation Accent was less noisy, smoother, with a better transmission. Reinforced A- and B-pillars were installed, and the cowl crossbar was strengthened. Double-sealed doors also were installed. Head, leg, and hip room were said to be improved. Accents got a 60/40 rear seat, new instrument panel and gauges, and a new steering wheel. GS and GL models included a tachometer, tinted glass, clock, and five-way adjustable seat. Options included air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, and CD player. Accent was one of the few mainstream passenger cars that did not offer antilock braking. The low-end L edition didn't even have power brakes as standard equipment, but all models had power steering. Hyundai offered one of the industry's longest warranties: 5-years/60,000-miles bumper-to-bumper, and 10-years/100,000-miles for the powertrain.

Year to Year Changes

2001 Hyundai Accent: Some Accents got a bigger engine this year. Supplanting the GS two-door hatchback, the base Accent L kept the previous 92-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder. GS and GL models got a twin-cam, 1.6-liter engine that produced 105 horsepower. Topping the line was the GL four-door sedan. An automatic transmission was optional in all but the L model, which came only with manual shift. Power brakes now were standard in the L.

2002 Hyundai Accent: Air conditioning became standard on GS and GL editions and optional for the L this year. The Accent lineup again included the base L two-door hatchback with its 1.5-liter engine and manual shift, plus the GS hatchback and GL four-door sedan with a 1.6-liter four and either manual or automatic transmission.

2003 Hyundai Accent: All models got a mild facelift with revised front and rear styling. Base hatchback now uses the same 1.6-liter 4-cyl engine as other Accents. It comes only with manual transmission. Side airbags were added to some models late in the model year.

2004 Hyundai Accent: The accent is unchanged for 2004.

2005 Hyundai Accent: Accent gets available antilock brakes for 2005. For '05, ABS is offered in a $1685 option package that also includes air conditioning, power windows and locks, and a CD player.

2000-2005 Hyundai Accent Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Noise

Visibility	Acceleration

	Ride

	Rear-seat entry/exit (2-dr)

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Acceleration is barely acceptable with the 1.5-liter engine, even with manual shift. A test model took 11.2 seconds to reach 60 mph. The optional automatic transmission performs well and does a nice job of resisting erratic shifting on hills. Passing with either transmission will require noisy, full-throttle operation. An automatic Accent struggles quite hard on significant upgrades, succeeding only after considerable huffing and puffing. Economy is a plus. A 2000 GS hatchback averaged 29.6 mpg, while a similar sedan reached 30.4 mpg. Small bumps are absorbed acceptably well, but like most subcompacts, the Accent can be a rough rider at times. Large potholes transmit jolts, and the going gets jiggly on washboard surfaces. Cornering grip is modest, thanks to underachiever tires, but the Accent handles with predictable assurance. Body lean is moderate. Simulated panic stops without ABS are passable, despite some rear-wheel lockup. Hyundai keeps noise and vibration to competitive levels, but engine and road sounds do intrude. Front seats are comfortable and supportive for everyday commuting, though longer trips may prove tiring. Taller drivers might feel crowded, as the seat does not offer much rearward travel. The back seat is too narrow for three adults, too flat to provide good support, and too cramped to give anyone six feet tall much leg or head room. Rear-seat entry/exit is tight, even in the four-door model. Clearly marked controls are within easy reach. A rather high rear deck pinches the view through the back window, but visibility is good otherwise. Trunk space also is good, beneath a short, narrow lid. On the whole, the Accent is solid, well-detailed, and decently built.

Value for the Money
Affordable without seeming cheap, an Accent is worth considering as a bargain-basement commuter car. Because it trails most non-Korean brands in resale value, used-car prices can be appealing. Most rivals offer better performance and refinement for a little more money.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Hyundai Accent L	Rating

Performance	2

Fuel Economy	8

Ride Quality	2

Steering/Handling/Braking	3

Quietness	3

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	2

Cargo Capacity	5

Value within Class	2

Total:	36

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

2000-2005 Hyundai Accent Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Dashboard lights: The check-engine light may come on and the diagnostic code may indicate a lean fuel condition requiring mass-airflow sensor replacement. (2000-01)

Hard starting: The engine may not start (but starter cranks) due to a shorted overdrive-switch wire. (2000)

Poor transmission shift: Transmission may not shift out of park due to blown fuse, bad brake-light switch or transmission shift-lock solenoid. (1999)

Transmission problems: If transmission sticks in 3rd, shifts poorly, or has harsh 1-2 shift, the pulse generator may need to be replaced. (2000-2002)

Transmission slippage: Poor shifting, slippage or a transmission that will not shift out of third gear can often be traced to corroded connectors or other problems in the wiring, which may require replacement of the wiring harness. Other shifting problems may be caused by a problem with the transmission-fluid temperature sensor or pulse generator. (2000-01)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$435

Alternator	$205

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$1,030

Brakes	$260

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$470

Constant Velocity Joints	$670

Exhaust System	$270

Radiator	$155

Shocks and/or Struts	$440

Timing Chain or Belt	$280

NHTSA Recall History

2000: Ball-joint connection can disengage rendering the windshield wipers inoperative.

2000-01: Throttle valve may not close fully due to steady driving in cold temperatures, causing the vehicle to idle at higher than normal speed.

2000-02: Head injury may result from contact with the A-pillar in a collision.

2000-2005 Hyundai Accent Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

2000
Accent GS, GL	$2,000-2,400	$1,400-1,700	$300-400
Accent L	$1,700-2,100	$1,100-1,400	$300

2001
Accent GS, GL	$2,400-2,900	$1,700-2,100	$500-600
Accent L	$2,000-2,500	$1,400-1,800	$300-400

2002
Accent GS, GL	$3,100-3,700	$2,400-2,900	$700-900
Accent L	$2,500-3,000	$1,800-2,200	$500-600

2003
Accent	$3,100-3,700	$2,400-2,900	$700-900
Accent GL	$3,700-4,400	$3,000-3,600	$1,100-1,300

2004
Accent	$4,300-5,000	$3,600-4,200	$1,500-1,700
Accent GL, GT	$5,000-5,800	$4,300-4,900	$2,000-2,300

2005
Accent GLS	$6,200-7,000	$5,400-6,100	$2,700-3,000
Accent GT	$6,800-7,500	$6,100-6,700	$3,200-3,500

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

2000-2005 Hyundai Accent Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	2-door hatchback	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	96.1	96.1

Overall Length, in.	166.7	166.7

Overall Width, in.	65.7	65.7

Overall Height, in.	54.9	54.9

Curb Weight, lbs.	2255	2290

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	16.9	11.8

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	11.9	11.9

Seating Capacity	5	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.9	38.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.6	42.6

Rear Head Room, in.	38.0	38.0

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	32.8	32.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Two four-cylinder engines were originally available. A 1.5-liter that produced 92 horsepower went into all models in 2000, and was retained by the L hatchback later. Hyundai's dual-overhead-cam, 1.6-liter four, rated at 105 horsepower, went into GS and GL models for 2001. That engine could mate with a five-speed manual gearbox or optional four-speed automatic transmission, but the Accent L came only with manual shift. For 2003, all models got the larger engine.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohc I4	1.5 / 91	92	97	5-speed manual: 28/36 4-speed automatic: 25/35	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: --

dohc I4	1.6 / 98	105	106	5-speed manual: 27/37 4-speed automatic: 25/35	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: South Korea

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 2000-2005 Hyundai Accent Review:

Hyundai Accent

Hyundai Accent Road Test

Hyundai Accent Reliability

Hyundai Accent Prices

Hyundai Accent Specs & Safety

Hyundai Accent Photos

Hyundai Accent Full Review