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A Debut with Emphasis: Hyundai’s Redesigned Accent Is the Subcompact Car You’ve Been Waiting For

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2018 Hyundai Accent subcompact car debut at Canadian Auto Show (1)

For years, Hyundai has offered an affordable, fuel-efficient, and dependable subcompact car that surprisingly hasn’t been as popular as it deserves to be. Often overlooked by consumers in favor of competing American or Japanese subcompacts, the Hyundai Accent hasn’t been a household name in the USA–but in Canada, it’s domninated its segment for years with a 23.7% market share.

Aiming to boost the Accent’s US appeal and maintain its grip on the Canadian market, Hyundai has unveiled a redesigned generation of the subcompact at the Canadian International Auto Show.


Enhancements to the Elantra: What technology updates does the newest edition have?


A Small Package, a Big Value: The 2018 Hyundai Accent Arrives

At the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto this morning, the Hyundai Auto Canada Corp hosted the world premiere of the all-new 2018 Accent subcompact. Entering its fifth generation, the Accent is undergoing a refresh just like the Hyundai Elantra and Elantra GT both recently have. Known as the Verna in some overseas markets, the Accent is a tiny four-door that comes in an optional hatchback form.

Don Romano, President & CEO Hyundai Auto Canada Corp, began by taking the stage at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. He pointed out how Hyundai is changing with the times; with less than 20% of customers approving of the current car-buying process, Hyundai will be launching a transparent, all-online system for completing finance paperwork and doing business.

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT on display at Canadian Auto Show new carAccording to Romano, the 2018 Accent will be equipped with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that earns 132 horsepower and 119 lb-ft of torque. Enhancements to its design include a wider, longer body with extended wheelbase, wraparound headlights, new signature brand grille shape, high-strength steel construction, 7% fuel economy increase, and optional features like an available back-up camera, 7-inch touchscreen, autonomous emergency braking system.

This new Accent, which is actually now large enough to be classified as a compact, will be available in dealerships later this year. What’s most surprising is that the 5-door hatchback version of the Accent will not be offered in the USA and will be specifically tailored for the Canadian market.

In addition to the reveal of the 2018 Accent, attendees also got to see the new Elantra GT which just debuted last week at the Chicago Auto Show.

This isn’t the first time that an automaker has favored a Canadian debut over a USA debut, despite the Detroit and Chicago Auto Shows being around the same time. Canada has proven itself to be a strong market that favors subcompact cars more than Americans typically do, plus these reveals aren’t overshadowed by bombastic concept models and high-end competitors at US auto shows.


At Your Fingertips: Check out the technology you’ll find in Hyundai cars, including the Accent