Kia · 1994–present

Kia Qianlima

The Hyundai Accent (Korean: 현대 엑센트), or Hyundai Verna (현대 베르나) is a subcompact car produced by Hyundai. In Australia, the first generation models carried over the Hyundai Excel name used by the Accent's predecessor. The Accent was replaced in 2000 by the Hyundai Verna in South Korea, although most international markets, including the US, retained the "Accent" name. The "Accent" name is an acronym of Advanced Compact Car of Epoch-making New Technology. The Accent is produced for the Chinese market by Beijing Hyundai Co., a joint venture with Beijing Automotive Industry Corp. For the Russian market it was assembled by the TagAZ plant in Taganrog until 2011, and since 2011 it was assembled by the HMMR plant in Saint Petersburg and sold under the new name Hyundai Solaris. In Mexico, the Accent was marketed until 2014 by Chrysler as the Dodge Attitude, previously known as the Verna by Dodge. In Venezuela, Chrysler marketed these models as the Dodge Brisa until 2006. The Brisa was assembled by Mitsubishi Motors at its plant in Barcelona, Venezuela. Since 2002, the Accent had been the longest-running small family car sold in North America. In Puerto Rico, the second and third generations were sold as the Hyundai Brio.

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First generation (X3; 1994)

The Hyundai Accent (X3) was introduced as a replacement for the Excel in 1994 for the 1995 model year. It continued to be called Dodge Brisa in Venezuela or Hyundai Excel in some markets, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Indonesia and Australia. In France, it was called the Hyundai Pony, in Indonesia, the pre-facelift model was called as Bimantara Cakra and in China, it was called the Kia Qianlima. In 1998, Hyundai created a joint venture with Romanian manufacturer Dacia to produce the Accent in Romania, at Dacia's Mioveni plant. Unfortunately, the deal failed and Dacia was bought by Renault. Markets. ==== Australia ==== Australian cars were released in November 1994 available in Sprint and GX trims (three-door liftback) or LX and GLX trims (four-door sedan and five-door liftback). The upper-specification models (GX and GLX) had full cloth interior (as opposed to vinyl seat backings), height and lumbar support adjustments on the driver's seat, four-speaker sound system (instead of two), passenger vanity mirror, a tachometer, and power antenna as standard. GX three-doors also had a standard rear spoiler, while power steering was standard on all but the Sprint. There were also some special editions—the Classique sedan in 1995 and 1996 with anti-lock brakes and the Sportz in 1999 and 2000 with alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. The overwhelming majority sold were the Sprint three-door, enticing buyers with free air-conditioning, driveaway pricing and from late 1998, standard power steering. The facelift arrived in Australia in April 1997 with accompanying trim changes. The engine was a 1.5-litre G4EK SOHC unit with 91 hp (68 kW). From November 1997 onwards, this was upgraded to a twin cam (DOHC) G4FK version with 74 kW (99 hp) at 6000 rpm and torque of 134 N⋅m (99 lb⋅ft) at

Second generation (LC; 1999)

The redesigned 1999 Accent (LC) sported a more angular body and increased dimensions. It received a minor facelift in 2003, and was given the model code LC2. When the Accent sedan underwent a 2006 redesign, the liftback continued on sale during 2006 only in Canada, since the liftback skipped the 2006 model year for the United States. But for Korea, it was the first model with the new nameplate: Verna. The Accent got revised 1.3 and 1.5-litre engines, featuring various improvements to lower noise, vibration, and harshness. A 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve replaced the 1.5-litre from 2001, with the 1.5 continuing to be available in some markets. This Accent was also the first to get a diesel version, with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder direct injection turbodiesel with four valves per cylinder, which was badged CRDi. Trim levels were GSi, CDX and MVi: this was standard on most export versions, although some European markets had their own designations with names like Dynamic Version etc. Some markets used LS and GLS. Markets. ==== North America ==== In North America, the Accent was available in GL, GLS and GT trim levels only, with the 1.5-litre engine at first, then the 1.6-litre engine from 2002. The GT version was similar to the MVi version marketed in Europe and Oceania, although the body kit was not as overtly hot hatch styled. During 2003 in Canada, the liftback was offered as a GS or GSi with a 1.5 L or 1.6 L engine, respectively. In 2004 the GS trim was equipped with the 1.6 L engine. Russia. It was sold in Russia until 2011 as the Hyundai Accent side-by-side with the third generation model which was sold as the Hyundai Solaris. India. It was launched in India in October 1999 as the "Accent" and was still in production after some minor facelifts;the car was phased out in 2013

Third generation (MC; 2005)

Hyundai introduced a new-generation Accent (MC) at the 2005 New York International Auto Show. A new exterior, larger interior, and CVVT engine are the notable features. A single trim level, GLS, was available in the US for the sedan. Hyundai began selling the 3-door hatchback in the United States during the spring 2006 as a 2007 model year vehicle. The 3-door was available in two trims – GS and SE. In 2010, Forbes named the Accent amongst the ten worst cars for depreciation. In Europe, this model was heavily promoted by the motoring press, and even Hyundai themselves, as a "stopgap" model – that it was intended merely to plug the gap in Hyundai's range until a brand new small family car was launched in 2007. The new car, the Hyundai i30, replaced both the Accent and the larger Hyundai Elantra. The name change helped to distance the new model from the budget reputation of the Accent, and also to position the car in the small family hatchback sector – something the Accent was slightly too small to do, and the Elantra too large. The Accent continued to be sold in the U.S. in 2008 with an instrument panel overhaul and standard rear cupholders in the SE model. In 2008, Hyundai Accent received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among compact multi-activity vehicles in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study. The study was based on responses from over 52,000 original owners of 2005 model year vehicles, measuring more than 250 models across several brands. The proprietary study's results are based on experiences and perceptions of owners surveyed in January to April 2008. Markets. ==== Mexico ==== In Mexico, it was marketed as the Dodge Attitude: trim levels are 1.4 GL and 1.6 GLS. Hyundai had no official representation in Mexico,

Fourth generation (RB/RC; 2010)

Hyundai held the world-premiere of the fourth generation Accent as the Verna at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show. Markets. ==== South Korea ==== Hyundai released the Korean version of the Accent (RB series) in November 2010. The model was offered with the same 1.6-litre engine and 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual as the fifth-generation (MD) Elantra. The car reverted to the "Accent" name as used in the X3 series. The hatchback version, called Accent WIT, replaces the Getz/Click in South Korea. Sedan model was discontinued since in late 2018; the hatchback model was in August 2018. It was sold until Hyundai Venue launched in July 2019. North America. In January 2011, the sedan had its North American debut and the hatchback had its world debut at the Montreal Auto Show. There was one engine option available in North America for the Accent, a 1.6 L with 138 hp (103 kW) and 123 lb/ft of torque (2011 - 2017 models). This engine features the gas direct injection technology (1.6 "GDI"). Also, the head and block are made of aluminum. Australia. Australia's Accent was released in August 2011 in three grades consisting of Active, Elite, and Premium in either Sedan or Hatch. All were equipped with a 1.6-litre MPi engine mated to a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, while a 1.6-litre diesel was later added to the Active grade, but dropped shortly after. In 2013, an SR grade was added to replace the Elite and Premium grades and brought in the Gamma 1.6-litre GDi engine to the range. The Active had switched to a 1.4-litre engine and optional CVT to keep costs down due to the discontinuation of the i20 in Australia. As part of a 2017 upgrade, Hyundai simplified the Accent to just one grade called Sport. The Sport grade combined the SR's 1.6-litre engine, Premium interior materials, mes

Fifth generation (HC/YC; 2017)

The fifth-generation Accent was introduced in China as Verna in late 2016. Production began in the same year with sales started around February 2017. In Russia, where it is known as Solaris as well as in some other CIS markets, the car has been available since March 2017. In India, the car was launched in August 2017 as Verna. It went on sale in the United States in December 2017. Like the fourth-generation model, sedan and hatchback body styles are available, with the latter only available in Canada, Mexico and China. Unlike the previous generations, the fifth-generation Accent is not sold in South Korea due to falling demand; instead the Venue crossover takes its place in 2019. Without supply from South Korea, the Accent was also phased out in Australia, leaving the entry model role to the Venue. Markets. ==== North America ==== The hatchback version of the fifth-generation Accent is not available in the United States market due to poor sales for its predecessor, while sedan version continued to be offered. The hatchback version was available alongside the sedan in Mexico and Canada only. All models of the Accent sold in the United States and Canada are powered by the same 1.6-litre GDi four-cylinder gasoline engine as its predecessor, though horsepower is down to 130 hp (132 PS; 97 kW) from the previous rating of 138 hp (140 PS; 103 kW). The base SE features a six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automatic transmission was optional. The six-speed automatic transmission is standard on the SEL and Limited models. Features available for the first time on the Accent include forward collision avoidance alert, a touch-screen infotainment system with optional Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Hyundai Blue Link, proximity key entry with push-button start, seventee

Sixth generation (BN7; 2023)

On 13 February 2023, Hyundai released the sixth-generation model in India, where it is called the Verna. Hyundai refers to the new design language as 'Sensuous Sportiness'. Its design is inspired by the Elantra with a wide LED light bar reminiscent of the Kona crossover, Staria minivan, Stargazer MPV, Grandeur sedan, and the Sonata facelift. The model is offered with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that makes 115 PS (113 hp; 85 kW) and 144 N⋅m (14.7 kg⋅m; 106 lb⋅ft) of torque and a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit capable of developing 160 PS (158 hp; 118 kW) and 253 N⋅m (25.8 kg⋅m; 187 lb⋅ft) of torque. 2026 facelift. The Verna facelift was revealed in India on 9 March 2026. The exterior features a redesigned bumper, larger grille, dual LED projector headlamps, and a revised lighting layout, while the connected LED light bar stays. The car also gets new alloy wheel designs and a refreshed rear bumper. Inside, it was updated with a new steering wheel with the 4-dot logo, a fully digital driver display, better seat upholstery, and more convenience features. For higher trims it also get electrically adjustable seats, a rear sunshade, and a smart trunk. Markets. ==== India ==== The sixth-generation Verna was launched in India on 21 March 2023. It is available in multiple variants including EX, S, SX, SX(O) for the 1.5L NA petrol (manual or IVT), and S(O) Turbo, SX Turbo, SX(O) Turbo for the 1.5L turbo-petrol (DCT). A new SX+ variant was added in June 2025. Brunei. The fifth-generation Verna has been launched in Brunei on 30 May 2025 and is only offered in one variant: Standard with the 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine with CVT. Vietnam. The sixth-generation Accent was introduced in Vietnam on 30 May 2024 and is offered in three grade levels; Standard, P

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