2014 Hyundai Accent SE: A Great Value For Teen Drivers
Melanie Batenchuk
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Integrated Tech Features And A Fun Drive Will Make Any Teen Happy.
The 2014 Hyundai Accent SE is a petite, but peppy, hatchback. It may be low on luxury options, but at only $18,000 it certainly doesn’t lack personality. Powered by a four-cylinder engine that puts out 138 horsepower, the Accent is nimble and easily navigates congested streets and highways.
Paired with Hyundai’s six-speed automatic SHIFTRONIC transmission, the Accent gets an EPA estimated 31 miles per gallon combined city and highway driving. Push the ECO mode button and conserve even more gasoline.
We love that the Hyundai Accent comes with a hatchback lift-gate to make the subcompact four-door even more functional. It’ll carry your teen driver, her friends, and their abundant “stuff” with ease.
The interior of the 2014 Hyundai Accent SE may be basic, but it’s not dreadful thanks to the graphic patterns both on the hard plastics and cloth materials found inside. And anyway, this car is all about value, not high-end features.
The 2014 Hyundai Accent doesnt shirk on technology, while maintaining important safety issues for young drivers
Hyundai Brings High-Tech To This Sub ($20,000) -Compact
Even at a sub-$20,000 price tag, Hyundai doesn’t shirk on the high-tech features mainstream consumers – and especially today’s teenage drivers – yearn for.
When considering what is most important to consumers, Hyundai prioritized the technologies found on the affordable Accent SE. Included on the model we test drove were the following technology features:
- Satellite radio provided by SiriusXM
- iPod and USB Auxiliary jacks
- Bluetooth handsfree integration
The only tech missing? A backup camera. While we missed the large display in the Accent’s ‘center stack’ featuring rear visibility assistance, we found the car to be easily maneuverable without it. And, for parents (or teens) who want this feature, it’ll be standard in 2016.
Why It’s Worth Spending $18,000 On Your Teenage Driver
Your teen driver will love the sleek look of the 2014 Hyundai Accent — and you will love the sticker price!
Don’t stiff your teen with the old family heirloom junker that keeps getting passed down from generation to generation. Whether buying new or used, consider the safety advances that have been made since the days of your VW Rabbit.
You might want to consider the Hyundai’s manual transmission option; it’s nearly impossible for anyone to text or even hold a phone while driving a stick shift. And, it knocks $1,000 off the price of the Accent.
Bottom line, the Accent is safe, earning five stars’ worth of kudos from NHTSA in both front and side crash tests on the driver side. Plus, your kid gets the security of Hyundai’s unbeatable warranties on powertrain and five years of unlimited Roadside Assistance.
What We Loved
Hyundai prioritized the technologies found on the affordable Accent SE.
- Peppy drive
- 5-year warranty and roadside assistance
- Bluetooth integration
- Cute and functional hatchback
- 27MPG city/ 38 MPG highway
- 5 -star NHTSA rating
- Available in manual or automatic transmission
- More features for the money than its competitors
What You Need to Know
- Automatic transmission is a $1,000 option
- A moon roof is available for $900 and only with the automatic option
- Base price, $16,300; price of the model we tested (with automatic): $18,205
- Cloth seating is the only seating option
Disclosure: Hyundai provided the Accent SE for my test drive; opinions here are all my own.