The 2019 Hyundai Accent Limited features heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Hyundai's subcompact Accent sedan has to stretch on tippy-toes to reach the $20,000 mark.
And that's a good thing.
Although the base Accent can be had for about $15,750, a top-trim Limited model like our tester rings up at $20,090.
The upscale Accent Limited has features that five years ago could only be found on cars costing half-again more. For example, our tester - which was provided for a one-week test drive by the manufacturer - includes heated front seat, alloy wheels, a push-button ignition and an emergency braking system that just a few years ago was an exotic option.
FAST FACTS
* Model: 2019 Hyundai Accent Limited * Exterior color: Admiral Blue * Interior color: Black * Engine: 1.6-liter, four-cylinder * Horsepower: 130 * Transmission: six-speed automatic * Fuel economy: 38 mpg highway, 28 mpg city * Local Dealer: Long Hyundai, 6035 International Drive * Price (as tested): $20,090
Accents are available locally at Long Hyundai at 6035 International Drive. Late last week the dealership had five Accents in stock.
WHAT IS IT? The Accent is a subcompact sedan which competes in a segment that also includes the Kia Rio, the Nissan Versa and the Honda Fit. Since the Accent's inception in 1994, Hyundai has sold more than a million of the small sedans in the United States.
HOW MUCH? Our Limited-trim tester has a list price of $20,090, about $4,340 more than a base Accent.
WHAT WE LIKED: Standout features of the Accent include a large trunk with 13.7 feet of cargo space, an expressive front end with fog lights, dual climate controls, a "sport" drive mode, leather-covered steering wheel and 17-inch alloy wheels.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: Our logbook included demerits for a less-than-smooth engine idle, rough-to-the-touch fabric seat covers and a small center storage compartment.
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IMPORTANT FEATURES: All Accents have a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes 130 horsepower. Unlike many of today's smaller cars, the engine in the Accent is not turbocharged. It's good to keep this in mind when passing on a two-lane highway. The car is not under-powered, there is just not much in reserve for emergencies.
The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The "sport" mode tightens up the transmissions shift points and steering for a more spirited ride.
NEW FOR 2019: The only new feature on the Accent Limited for 2019 is standard LED headlights. All limited models also include the alloy wheels, emergency braking, a sunroof, heated seats, a push-button start and dual climate controls.
FUEL ECONOMY: According to the government, consumers can expect fuel economy of 38 mpg highway and 28 mpg city.
BOTTOM LINE: In Limited trim the Accent is a high-content automobile at a relatively low price.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.