Refreshed Hyundai Accent Spied Wearing Larger Elantra Design Cues

It will be available in the second half of 2022 or first quarter 2023.

Hyundai Accent sales may have rebounded slightly in 2021 but they still remain far below the almost 80,000 sold in 2017. Buyers aren’t drawn to sedans of any size, even those like the Accent. The model will be getting a mid-cycle refresh and going on sale in the US in late 2017. Our first batch of spy photos reveals what that means.

Accent, also known as Verna in some markets, will get new front and back fascias. It looks like both will take styling cues form the larger Elantra. The front headlights blend with the larger grille, and appear lower. The rear taillights are completely different, and appear to flank what appears to have been a new trunk opening. Hyundai is covered in camouflage, concealing many details.

Refreshed Hyundai Accent Spied Wearing Larger Elantra Design Cues

We don’t know much about interior changes but expect nothing major with a redesign. One rumor claims that Hyundai will reduce the engine’s size from 1.6 to 1.5 liters and pair it with mild-hybrid tech.

It is disappointing that the 1.6-liter engine produced 120 horsepower (88kW), but the hybrid tech could fix this problem by pairing it with the new engine. The brand’s continuously variable transmission in-house will be the only available gearbox. Hyundai discontinued the manual option last year.

The redesign of Accent won’t be available until the end of 2022 or early-2023. This could be the final compact car. As automakers stop producing low-selling models, the segment has declined. This facelift gives the model several years more before it is discontinued or replaced. Automakers will invest in products that sell. Hyundai is no exception with its plans to launch several EVs over the next few years.