2012 Hyundai Accent a 40 MPG Value at $12,445

Just in case you had any inkling that the new 2012 Hyundai Accent could keep its sub-$10,000 starting price, you can give up those hopes now. The subcompact will start at $12,445, excluding $760 for destination, when it goes on sale later this summer. However, it will be the least expensive 40 mpg car on the market.
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The base price is for the sedan body style, which gets you the new, punchier 138-horsepower engine capable of 30/40 mpg city/highway, a six-speed manual transmission, power door locks and cabin air filter. Standard safety features include active headrests, electronic stability control and six airbags. A six-speed automatic is optional, and it�s paired with cruise control, an Eco mode to optimize fuel economy, air conditioning, six-speaker stereo and power windows and locks for an extra $2,750 ($15,195).
The new five-door hatchback body style starts at $14,595 and includes the same features as the base sedan, plus power mirrors and windows, air conditioning, six-speaker stereo with satellite radio and USB integration. An automatic transmission is a $1,200 option, and it gets you cruise control.
The Accent starts significantly higher than the just-announced Nissan Versa, a clear indication of two divergent approaches to the subcompact class. The Accent is shaping up to be a more premium product over the Versa.
Still, it�s not like the new Accent is expensive for the class: the Ford Fiesta ($13,320), Honda Fit ($15,100) and Toyota Yaris ($12,955) all have higher starting prices. It's also significantly less than the aging model it replaces. The 2012 hatchback starts $750 less than the new 2011 version, but now the base model doesn't include air conditioning standard, that comes as part of a $1,750 option package evaporating the savings for a majority of buyers.

Standard and Optional Features:
GLS Four-Door M/T
The Accent GLS M/T MSRP is priced at $12,445 and includes the following standard features:

• 1.6-liter GDI DOHC I4 with Dual-CVVT 
• Engine cover 
• Hood insulator 
• Trip computer 
• Six-speed manual transmission 
• Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) 
• 14-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers 
• 175/70R14 low rolling resistance tires and TPMS 
• Front, side and head curtain airbags 
• Vehicle Stability Management, ESC with TCS 
• ABS, EBD, and brake assist with four-wheel disc brakes 
• Front seatbelt pretensioner 
• Active front head restraints 
• Adjustable head restraints for all seating positions 
• Tachometer 
• Cabin air filter 
• Power door locks 
• Audio prep package with four speakers 
• Tilt steering wheel 
• Driver seat armrest 
• Front door map pockets 
• Front passenger seatback pocket 
• 60/40 split folding rear seatback 
• Dual vanity mirrors 
• Map, dome and cargo lights 
• Six-way adjustable driver seat including height adjustment 
• Front two-speed intermittent wiper 
• Tinted glass with windshield shade band 
• Rear defroster with timer 
• Roof-mounted antenna 

GLS M/T Options: Comfort Package ($1,750 MSRP):

• Air conditioning � AM/FM/XM� Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with tweeters, iPod�/USB auxiliary input jacks 
• Power windows & mirrors 
• Cloth door inserts 

GLS A/T The Accent GLS A/T MSRP is priced at $15,195 and includes the following GLS M/T features plus:

• Six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC� 
• Active Eco System 
• Air conditioning 
• Cloth door inserts 
• AM/FM/XM� Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with tweeters, iPod�/USB auxiliary input jacks 
• Power windows & mirrors 

GLS A/T Options: Premium Package ($1,300 MSRP):

• Remote keyless entry with panic 
• Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls 
• Cruise control 
• Bluetooth� hands-free phone system with voice recognition 
• Premium cloth seats 
• Chrome inside door handles 
• Piano black accents 
• Sunglasses holder 
• Sliding armrest storage box 
• Fog lights 
• 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/50R16 tires 
• Bodycolor door handles 

GS Five-Door The Accent GS M/T is priced at $14,595 and includes the following standard features:

• 1.6-liter GDI DOHC I4 with Dual-CVVT 
• Engine cover  
• Hood insulator 
• Trip computer 
• Six-speed manual transmission 
• Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) 
• 14-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers 
• 175/70R14 low rolling resistance tires & TPMS 
• Front, side and head curtain airbags 
• Vehicle Stability Management, ESC with TCS 
• ABS, EBD, and brake assist with four-wheel disc brakes 
• Front seatbelt pretensioner 
• Active front head restraints 
• Adjustable head restraints for all seating positions 
• Tachometer 
• Air conditioning 
• AM/FM/XM� Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers, and iPod�/USB auxiliary input jacks 
• Driver seat armrest 
• Power windows, mirrors and door locks with remote keyless entry with panic 
• Cloth door insert 
• Tilt steering wheel 
• Front door map pockets 
• Front passenger seatback pocket 
• 60/40 split folding rear seatback 
• Dual vanity mirrors 
• Map, dome and cargo lights 
• Six-way adjustable driver seat including height adjustment 
• Front two-speed intermittent wiper 
• Tinted glass with windshield shade band 
• Sunglasses holder 
• Bodycolor mirrors and door handles  
• Rear defroster with timer 
• Roof-mounted antenna 
• Rear wiper 

GS Options: Automatic transmission ($1,200 MSRP) includes:

• Six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC�, and Active Eco System 
• Cruise control 

SE Five-Door The Accent SE M/T MSRP is priced at $15,795 and includes all the GS equipment plus the following:

• Sport-tuned steering 
• Cruise control 
• Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls 
• Bluetooth� hands-free phone system with voice recognition 
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob 
• Premium cloth seats 
• Chrome inside door handle 
• Piano black accents 
• Sliding armrest storage box 
• 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/50R16 tires 
• Fog lights 
• Rear spoiler

By Colin Bird