Price Car Hyundai 40 MPG Battle

Desaign Hyundai 40 MPG Battle

The 40 MPG war rages on and the latest entrant is Hyundai’s 2012 Accent. As the first vehicle to use Hyundai’s new 1.6-liter GDI “Gamma” engine, the all-new Accent boasts 138 horsepower and city/highway fuel economy of 30/40 mpg – both best-in-class figures, according to the Korean automaker.

The 2012 Accent achieves its fuel economy rating with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission and ActiveECO functionality (a program that modifies transmission and engine response) can improve real-world fuel economy by up to 7 percent, according to Hyundai. The automaker claims a highway-only range of up to 456 miles is possible.

Interior Hyundai 40 MPG Battle

The new Accent is available in either sedan or five-door hatchback versions (the three-door variant has been dropped for 2012). Also dropped for the new model year is weight. Hyundai says the new GDI engine weighs in at 40 lbs less than its predecessor, though the total curb weight for the manual-equipped sedan is still up roughly 40 lbs on the outgoing version. Still, given that the 2012 Accent sedan is 3.5-inches longer than the 2011 car, we’d say that’s a modest weight gain for the size increase. The new Accent is also 22-percent stiffer than the 2011 model, according to Hyundai.

There are three trim levels on the 2012 car, a four-door GLS, five-door GS, and five-door SE. The SE gets a roof-mounted spoiler, vertical taillights, 16-inch alloy wheels as standard (14-inch steelies are standard on the GLS and GS), a specially tuned electronic power steering unit for sportier feel, fog lamps, Piano black accent trim, cruise control, and Bluetooth, among other features. Standard equipment on all 2012 Accents includes six airbags, stability and traction control, and four-wheel disc brakes.

While full pricing information isn’t yet available, when the 2012 Accent hits showrooms next month it will carry a base price of $13,205 for the four-door GLS (including a mandatory $760 destination charge), while a well-optioned five-door SE will cost $17,555. A full list of model trim specs can be found below.