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2003 Hyundai Accent Full Review
Date Published: 7/31/08
Also in the 2003 Hyundai Accent Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
2003 Hyundai Accent Review
Hyundai's smallest car gets a facelift for 2003, the lowest-priced model gets an engine upgrade, and side airbags become available midyear. Accent offers 2-dr hatchback and 4-dr sedan body styles. The entry-level Base hatchback now uses the same 1.6-liter 4-cyl engine as other Accents. It comes only with manual transmission. All other Accents wear the GL label for '03 and offer manual or automatic transmission. Air conditioning is standard on GLs, optional on Base models. Accent is among the few cars that isn't available with ABS, but models offering front side airbags were added in late spring. This South Korean automaker's warranty is one of the industry's longest at 5-years/60,000-mi. bumper-to-bumper and 10/100,000 powertrain.
Competition
Honda Civic continues to be the car to beat with a wide range of bodystyles, engines, and equipment. Civic is a solid car that has good performance, a nice ride, and a high degree of civility. Also a Best Buy, Ford Focus doesn't offer the refinement of the Civic, but doesn't cost as much either.
Topping the crowded Recommended list are Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. They easily could be Best Buys. However, they are among the most expensive cars in this segment. Other Recommended choices include the redesigned but still reliable Toyota Corolla, the sporty Nissan Sentra, and the roomy Mazda Protege. Each of these is a valid alternative to a Best Buy if price is your major concern.
Topping the crowded Recommended list are Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. They easily could be Best Buys. However, they are among the most expensive cars in this segment. Other Recommended choices include the redesigned but still reliable Toyota Corolla, the sporty Nissan Sentra, and the roomy Mazda Protege. Each of these is a valid alternative to a Best Buy if price is your major concern.
News
Sources say Accent will be redesigned for model-year 2005 on a new platform to be shared with the subcompact Rio at sister division Kia. No major changes are expected in the meantime.
Accent sales were strong in 2000 and 2001, but lost momentum in '02, dropping 10 percent year-to-year. We'd guess some of that was owed to Hyundai's larger but little costlier Elantra subcompact, which was up 8.4 percent for the 12 months.
Accent sales were strong in 2000 and 2001, but lost momentum in '02, dropping 10 percent year-to-year. We'd guess some of that was owed to Hyundai's larger but little costlier Elantra subcompact, which was up 8.4 percent for the 12 months.
2003 Hyundai Accent Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Fuel economy | Noise |
| Visibility | Acceleration |
| Ride | |
| Rear-seat entry/exit (2 door) | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Perfectly adequate around town, but any Accent will demand noisy full-throttle operation for passing or freeway merging.
| Base hatch, man. | GL sdn, auto. | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 4 |
Perfectly adequate around town, but any Accent will demand noisy full-throttle operation for passing or freeway merging.
Fuel Economy
Test manual-transmission Accents averaged just under 30 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. No opportunity yet to measure with automatic transmission, but expect only slightly less.
| Base hatch, man. | GL sdn, auto. | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 6.5 |
Test manual-transmission Accents averaged just under 30 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. No opportunity yet to measure with automatic transmission, but expect only slightly less.
Ride Quality
Accent absorbs small bumps reasonably well, but large potholes can be jolting, and ride is jiggly on washboard surfaces.
| Base hatch, man. | GL sdn, auto. | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 4.4 |
Accent absorbs small bumps reasonably well, but large potholes can be jolting, and ride is jiggly on washboard surfaces.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Low-achiever tires limit grip, but Accent corners predictably with moderate body lean. It also makes reasonably short simulated panic stops despite minor rear-wheel locking and marked, but not alarming, nosedive. Lack of ABS option is unfortunate.
| Base hatch, man. | GL sdn, auto. | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 5.3 |
Low-achiever tires limit grip, but Accent corners predictably with moderate body lean. It also makes reasonably short simulated panic stops despite minor rear-wheel locking and marked, but not alarming, nosedive. Lack of ABS option is unfortunate.
Quietness
No car in this price range is really quiet, but Accent is class-competitive for noise and vibration.
| Base hatch, man. | GL sdn, auto. | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 3.7 |
No car in this price range is really quiet, but Accent is class-competitive for noise and vibration.
Controls
Simple and straightforward, with clearly marked controls in easy reach. Optional white-faced gauges for GL hatchback brighten the look.
| Base hatch, man. | GL sdn, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5.6 |
Simple and straightforward, with clearly marked controls in easy reach. Optional white-faced gauges for GL hatchback brighten the look.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Driver seat doesn't have much rearward travel, so taller folks might feel crowded at the wheel. GLs help with height-adjustable driver seat. Comfortable, supportive for everyday commuting, but longer trips may prove tiring.
| Base hatch, man. | GL sdn, auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 4.8 |
Driver seat doesn't have much rearward travel, so taller folks might feel crowded at the wheel. GLs help with height-adjustable driver seat. Comfortable, supportive for everyday commuting, but longer trips may prove tiring.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Seat too flat for good support. Not enough leg and head room for anyone over 6 ft. Entry/exit just OK in the sedan, a pinch in hatchbacks.
| Base hatch, man. | GL sdn, auto. | Class Average |
| 2 | 2 | 3.7 |
Seat too flat for good support. Not enough leg and head room for anyone over 6 ft. Entry/exit just OK in the sedan, a pinch in hatchbacks.
Cargo Room
Not vast, but comparable to most rivals. Sedans limited by small trunk opening. All Accents have folding rear seatback.
| Base hatch, man. | GL sdn, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 2 | 3.8 |
Not vast, but comparable to most rivals. Sedans limited by small trunk opening. All Accents have folding rear seatback.
Value within Class
Accent makes some sense as a budget-priced commuter car bolstered by a generous warranty. However, most rivals offer better performance and refinement for little more money. And Hyundai lags most every non-Korean brand in resale value.
| Base hatch, man. | GL sdn, auto. | Class Average |
| 2 | 3 | 5.4 |
Accent makes some sense as a budget-priced commuter car bolstered by a generous warranty. However, most rivals offer better performance and refinement for little more money. And Hyundai lags most every non-Korean brand in resale value.
Total Score
| Base hatch, man. | GL sdn, auto. | Class Average |
| 36 | 34 | 47.2 |
Scores for all Compact Cars
| Low Score | 34 | |
| Average Score | 47 | |
| High Score | 62 |
2003 Hyundai Accent Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 05/28/2003
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
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| Base 2-door hatchback, manual | $9,749 | $9,333 | $540 |
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| Base w/side airbags 2-door hatchback, manual | $9,999 | $9,567 | $540 |
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| GL 2-door hatchback, manual | $10,649 | $9,967 | $540 |
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| GL 2-door hatchback, automatic | $11,299 | $10,575 | $540 |
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| GL w/side airbags 2-door hatchback, manual | $10,899 | $10,201 | $540 |
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| GL w/side airbags 2-door hatchback, automatic | $11,549 | $10,809 | $540 |
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| GL 4-door sedan, manual | $11,049 | $10,342 | $540 |
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| GL 4-door sedan, automatic | $11,699 | $10,950 | $540 |
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| GL w/side airbags 4-door sedan, manual | $11,299 | $10,576 | $540 |
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| GL w/side airbags 4-door sedan, automatic | $11,949 | $11,184 | $540 |
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Base
Powertrain
1.6-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power steering, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, folding rear seat, AM/FM/cassette, rear defogger, remote fuel-door release, variable-intermittent wipers.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
175/70R13 tires, wheel covers.
GL add to Base:
Powertrain
5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, height-adjustable driver seat w/lumbar support, split folding rear seat, tachometer, digital clock, rear wiper/washer (hatchback).
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
Accessory Group 2
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Base
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$750
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$686
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Air conditioning
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Accessory Group 3
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GL
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$400
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$367
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Power mirrors, power windows and door locks, AM/FM/CD player.
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GT Accessory Group 4
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GL hatchback
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$495
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$463
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Leather-wrapped steering wheel, sport seats, white-faced gauges, fog lights, rear spoiler, rocker moldings, sport suspension, 185/60HR14 tires, alloy wheels.
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Accessory Group 5
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GL hatchback
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$895
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$830
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Accessory Groups 4 and 5.
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Comfort and Convenience Features |
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Cargo net
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Base, GL
|
$38
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$30
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Floormats
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Base, GL
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$65
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$45
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2003 Hyundai Accent Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Hyundai Accent 2-door hatchback | Hyundai Accent 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.
Engines
| dohc I4 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 1.6 /98 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 104 @ 5800 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 106 @ 3000 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 5-speed manual | 29/33 |
| 4-speed automatic | 26/35 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Hyundai Accent 2-door hatchback | Hyundai Accent 4-door sedan |
| Front Impact, Driver | NA | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | NA | 4 |
| Rollover Resistance | NA | 4 |
| Side Impact, Driver | NA | 3 |
| Side Impact, Rear Passenger | NA | 2 |
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%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | 10/100,000 | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 5/60,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 5/100,000 | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 5/unlimited | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
South Korea
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive
Also in the 2003 Hyundai Accent Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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