Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2010GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual
50 serious complaints of 87, the most about brakes (17) and air bags (10); per car on the road, 0.6× this model's usual year. 1 recall.
What owners report
“Takata recall: I was driving slowly in the rain when some cars in front of me started to stop. I slowed down but as I hit the breaks the car didn't respond. I pressed the pedal more and nothing happened, then it went down all the way. I moved the steering wheel to the right to prevent a crash but it still happened. My car is a total loss.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the brakes, Jul 2019
“The contact owns a 2010 hyundai accent. The contact stated that the front passenger air bag warning light illuminated constantly whether a person was occupying the seat or not. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times for the failure where they replaced the air bag sensor however, the light continued to illuminate.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Sep 2012
87 owner complaints · 1 recall (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 30–31 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2010 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
What changed for 2010
First year we have trim data for.
2010 Accent trims
| Blue | GLS | GS | SE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ||||
| Starting MSRP | $9,970 | from $13,645 | $12,995 | from $16,195 |
| Powertrain | ||||
| Engine | 1.6L Alpha DOHC CVVT | 1.6L Alpha DOHC CVVT | 1.6L Alpha DOHC CVVT | 1.6L Alpha DOHC CVVT |
| Horsepower | 110 hp | 110 hp | 110 hp | 110 hp |
| Torque | 106 lb-ft | 106 lb-ft | 106 lb-ft | 106 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 5-Speed High-Efficiency Manual | Automatic: 4-Speed Automatic with Overdrive Manual: 5-Speed Manual | Automatic: 4-Speed Automatic with Overdrive Manual: 5-Speed Manual | Automatic: 4-Speed Automatic with Overdrive Manual: 5-Speed Manual |
| Gears | 5 | Automatic: 4 Manual: 5 | Automatic: 4 Manual: 5 | Automatic: 4 Manual: 5 |
| Drivetrain | Fwd | Automatic / Manual | Automatic / Manual | Automatic / Manual |
| Fuel economy (combined) | 31 mpg | 30 mpg | 30 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Size and capability | ||||
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Cargo behind last row | 15.9 cu ft | — | 15.9 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft |
| Tech | ||||
| Apple CarPlay | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Android Auto | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Speakers | 4 | 6 | 4 + option | 6 |
| Comfort | ||||
| Seats | Cloth | Cloth | Cloth | Cloth |
| Climate zones | Optional | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Exterior | ||||
| Sunroof | — | — | — | Tilt/Slide Moonroof |
| Wheels | 14 in | 14 in | 14 in | 16 in |
Packages and options (19)
| Blue | GLS | GS | SE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioning | Optional | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| GLS Premium Package | — | Optional | — | — |
| GS Premium Package | — | — | Optional | Standard |
| 5-Speed Manual Transmission | — | — | Optional | — |
| Carpeted Floor Mats | — | Optional | — | — |
| Bluetooth | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Apple Green | — | — | Optional | Optional |
| Charcoal Gray | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Dark Sapphire Blue | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Ebony Black | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Ice Blue | — | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Mellow Yellow | — | — | Optional | Optional |
| Nordic White | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Platinum Silver | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Tango Red | — | — | Optional | Optional |
| Wine Red | — | Optional | — | — |
| Beige Cloth | — | Optional | — | — |
| Black Cloth | Optional | — | Optional | Optional |
| Gray Cloth | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Oem press release, Oem press release. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 120 hp | FWD | 36 mpg | 4 of 5 | 2 | 17 | Electrical system (6) | Yes |
| 2021 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 120 hp manual available | FWD | 33–36 mpg | 4 of 5 | 4 | 16 | Seat belts (6) | Yes |
| 2020 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 120 hp manual available | FWD | 33–36 mpg | 4 of 5 | 4 | 12 | Engine (4) | Yes |
| 2019 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 130 hp manual available | FWD | 31–32 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 31 | Engine (19) | Yes |
| 2018 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 130–138 hp manual available | FWD | 31–32 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 19 | Engine (8) | No |
| 2017 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 138 hp manual available | FWD | 30–31 mpg | 4 of 5 | 0 | 68 | Engine (23) | No |
| 2016 | 1.6L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 30–31 mpg | 4 of 5 | 0 | 101 | Engine (33) | No |
| 2015 | 1.6L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 30–31 mpg | 4 of 5 | 2 | 70 | Air bags (26) | No |
| 2014 | 1.6L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 30–31 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 80 | Engine (19) | No |
| 2013 | 1.6L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 31–32 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 141 | Engine (34) | No |
| 2012 | 1.6L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 31–32 mpg | 4 of 5 | 2 | 153 | Engine (36) | No |
| 2011 | 1.6L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 29–30 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 38 | Electrical system (10) | No |
| 2010 | 1.6L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 30–31 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 87 | Service brakes (17) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Accent 2019–2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD | 4 | Optional | No | 2 | 17 |
| 2021 | Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD | 4 | Optional | No | 4 | 16 |
| 2020 | Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD | 4 | Optional | No | 4 | 12 |
| 2019 | Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 1 | 31 |
| 2018 | Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 1 | 19 |
| 2017 | Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 0 | 68 |
| 2017 | Hyundai Accent 5 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 0 | 61 |
| 2016 | Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 0 | 101 |
| 2016 | Hyundai Accent 5 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 0 | 93 |
| 2015 | Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 70 |
| 2015 | Hyundai Accent 5 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 66 |
| 2014 | Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 80 |
| 2014 | Hyundai Accent 5 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 78 |
| 2013 | Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 141 |
| 2013 | Hyundai Accent 5 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 135 |
| 2012 | Hyundai Accent 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 153 |
| 2012 | Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 153 |
| 2011 | Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 38 |
| 2011 | Hyundai Accent 3 HB FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 38 |
| 2010 | Hyundai Accent 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 87 |
| 2010 | Hyundai Accent Hatchback 3-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 87 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Accent | Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 1.6 L | 36 |
| 2021 | Accent | Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
33–36 |
| 2020 | Accent | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
33–36 |
| 2019 | Accent | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
31–32 |
| 2018 | Accent | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
31–32 |
| 2017 | Accent | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
30–31 |
| 2016 | Accent | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
30–31 |
| 2015 | Accent | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
30–31 |
| 2014 | Accent | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
30–31 |
| 2013 | Accent | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
31–32 |
| 2012 | Accent | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
31–32 |
| 2011 | Accent | Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
30 |
| 2011 | Accent Blue | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L | 29 |
| 2010 | Accent | Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
30 |
| 2010 | Accent Blue | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L | 31 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.