We are happy to use this column to highlight a model that has fallen into obscurity. Similarly now: we’re going back to the Hyundai Accent!
The Hyundai Accent in question is that of the second generation, which appeared in 1999. This car was the successor to the much more rounded first Accent. The sleeker body provided a clear distinction, but the Accent retained its basic shape. The three- and five-door models that were popular in Europe were given a liftback-like carriage, with a short butt and a relatively large tailgate. There was also a sedan, which we saw less frequently in our regions.
The front of the second Accent was initially characterized by slightly beveled, bright headlights and a distinctive grille. The air intake on the hatchbacks was filled with thick, body-colored slats. The rear was fitted with rectangular red / white taillights and a license plate placed relatively high in the lid. The sedan distinguished itself with its own rear and a slightly more civilized grille, with black slats and a chrome trim.
With the facelift of 2003, the Accent not only got a new nose, but also a firmly tackled butt. What is special is that the rear lights were not only arranged differently, but also got a different shape. With that, the rear screens and tailgate also had to be adjusted.
At the front, the newer version is clearly different, but not so much tougher. With its high-positioned headlights and narrow grille, the revised Accent looks a little less confident in the world, although the ‘arch beak’ did leave the field in 2003. Does that make the new version better?