Hyundai Accent

Name: 2002 Hyundai Accent
Brand: Hyundai

EPA MPG: NA

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

CR's Take

Hyundai's entry-level model comes as either a sedan or a three-door hatchback. The entry-level L model uses a 1.5-liter, 92-hp engine, while the more expensive GL and GS versions get a 1.6-liter, 105-hp Four. The Accent is one of the least expensive cars on the road, with a base manufacturer's suggested retail price of under $10,000. A meager options list includes items like air conditioning, an automatic transmission, and power windows and mirrors, but antilock brakes are not available. The Accent is relatively quiet and solid, making it more pleasant than Korean competitors such as the Daewoo Lanos and Kia Rio. Reliability is unknown.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

2002 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

No Data Available

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Hyundai vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

2002 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

2002 Hyundai Accent

$2,850

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser

$2,775

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Ford Focus

$2,775 - $3,425

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Honda Civic

$2,900 - $4,825

EPA MPG 34 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Honda Insight

$3,100

EPA MPG 65 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Hyundai Elantra

$2,775 - $2,850

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Kia Rio

$2,850

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Kia Spectra

$2,725

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Mazda Protege

$2,925 - $3,425

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Mini Cooper

$3,075 - $3,275

EPA MPG 31 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Mitsubishi Lancer

$2,800 - $2,950

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Mitsubishi Mirage

$2,850

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Nissan Sentra

$2,800 - $3,075

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Subaru Impreza

$2,950 - $4,900

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Toyota Corolla

$3,325 - $3,675

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Toyota Prius

$3,150

EPA MPG 49 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Volkswagen Beetle

$ NA

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Volkswagen Golf

$2,975 - $4,075

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2002 Volkswagen Jetta

$2,825 - $4,075

EPA MPG 38 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

Features & Specs

2-door hatchback

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

Front

1.5-liter 4 (92 hp)
1.6-liter 4 (103 hp)

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2018-2022

2018 Redesign Year

This generation of Accent comes only as a sedan. It is bare-bones transportation and suffers from many of the shortcomings common among subcompacts. Its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine returned 33 mpg overall in our tests. That is good, but many larger, more substantial compact cars can match that. The engine noise is mostly unobtrusive, but the sluggish acceleration forces the driver to mash the throttle, at which point the engine sounds coarse. The Hyundai doesn't do much to soften bumps and ruts, and road noise fills the cabin. The basic interior features easy-to-use controls. We found the seats to be short on support, and the back seat is tight back seat. Advanced safety features come only on the top Limited trim, which is priced like a compact car, undermining the reason to buy a subcompact. All 2020 models get a new 120-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission. The manual transmission is no longer available for 2022.

2012-2017

2012 Redesign Year

The 2012 Accent is endowed with responsive handling, comfortable front seats, and better fuel economy While the front seats are also more roomy, the rear seat remains cramped -- though it is on par for its class. Noise levels are higher than we consider ideal, but not offensive. All of the controls are straightforward. Though we appreciate the newfound responsiveness of the Accent's handling, the ride is somewhat jittery. In the end though, we cannot recommend this version of the Accent because it scored a Poor in the IIHS small-overlap crash test.

2006-2011

2006 Redesign Year

Accent's 2006 redesign brought a quieter, more comfortable ride. As a result, this version of the subcompact Hyundai is a significant improvement over the previous generation. It is pleasant to drive with a relatively comfortable and quiet ride. Fuel economy is very good, though it trails the best in its class. While ABS was offered as an option, it may be difficult to find a car so equipped and braking performance is lacking without it. Further, stability control wasn't available at all.

2000-2005

2000 Redesign Year

For most of its life, the Accent has been a decent, but uninspired small car with a choppy and noisy ride. On the positive side, the interior is put together well and the car is easy to park. Handling is also secure, if not exactly agile. On the other hand, the Accent is not very quick, braking is subpar, the passenger compartment is noisy and the accommodations are cramped, Antilock brakes (ABS) were offered as an option starting with the 2005 model year, but it was tough to find a car equipped with them.