All the Best Hyundai Compact Cars
The Accent and the Elantra are just two of the great compact cars on offer from Hyundai. Click here to find out more about all of Hyundai’s smallest vehicles.
Written by Matt Nightingale
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Hyundai Accent is the embodiment of the term “compact car”. It’s big on fuel efficiency, small in stature, and even smaller in price.
But the Accent isn’t the only compact car on the Hyundai lot. The South Korean automaker is a major competitor in the compact segment, so if you’re looking for a small, affordable ride, there’s a good chance you’ll end up test-driving a Hyundai.
In this article,
Jerry
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outlines all the compact cars on offer from Hyundai. We’ll show you all the positives and negatives of each model, and we’ll give you some tips on how to save on Hyundai insurance costs
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2022 Hyundai compact and subcompact car models
Hyundai has three compact and subcompact cars available in the US, and they all offer something a little different.
2022 Hyundai Elantra ($21,245 MSRP)
The Elantra is the second-best-selling vehicle in the Hyundai lineup and the company’s most purchased sedan. Redesigned for the 2021 model year, the Elantra’s eye-catching exterior is matched by its spacious and futuristic interior.
The 2022 version of this Korean compact sedan comes in five trim levels and two hybrid versions. The base engine—a 2.0-liter 147-hp four-cylinder—is a bit timid, but higher trim levels come furnished with a more powerful motor. Hybrid versions of the Elantra offer fuel economy ratings of about 54 miles per gallon, but even the traditional gas engine units are capable of a 37 combined city/highway mpg.
The Elantra receives solid marks from auto critics Car and Driver and Edmunds—the former awarding it a rating of 8.5/10, while the latter bestows the Elantra a 7.7/10. These grades make it a true competitor in the compact class, keeping rivals like the
Honda Civic
and Toyota Corolla
awake at night.Highlights of the Elantra include:
- Very affordable starting price
- IIHS Top Safety Pick
- Five-star safety rating from NHTSA
- Excellent fuel economy
- Lots of cargo space
Weaknesses include:
- Weak base engine
- Middling dependability rating (78/100 from J.D. Power)
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Hyundai tune-up cost
2022 Hyundai Veloster N ($33,595 MSRP)
Hyundai’s performance hatchback, the Veloster N, is sporty, spacious, and—above all—fun. For that, Car and Driver gives the 2022 Hyundai Veloster N an 8.5/10 rating, while fellow car culture tastemakers Edmunds gives the hot little hatchback an 8.1/10 score.
This is a quick little number. The 2.0-liter 275-horsepower four-cylinder engine can propel the Veloster N from zero to 60 in just 5.1 seconds. The asymmetrical exterior adds to the Veloster’s intrigue, with one long door on the driver’s side and two shorter doors on the passenger side, giving fans of the
Subaru BRZ
a reason to think about switching sides. The Veloster N’s ride can be a bit bumpy due to the adaptive dampers that prioritize performance over smooth sailing. Inside the cabin, things are a little hum-drum, but the sub-compact speedster does come with a smorgasbord of standard driver assist safety tech like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, driver fatigue sensors, and a blind-spot monitoring system.
Highlights of the Veloster N include:
- Speedy and sporty
- Adjustable driving mode
- Unique exterior configuration
Weaknesses include:
- $5K more expensive than Subaru BRZ
- Poor fuel economy
- Rough ride
- Lackluster interior
2022 Hyundai Accent ($17,740 MSRP)
A mainstay in the compact car division, the 2022 Hyundai Accent is everything you need and nothing you don’t. The Accent’s debonair exterior and functional interior offer owners a dignity not often seen in an economy car. This combination of utility and refinement has earned the 2022 Accent a place on Car and Driver’s Editors’ Choice list.
With a starting price of $17,740, the 2022 Hyundai Accent is very attainable. The entry-level SE trim is sparse on features, but the top-end Limited trim comes outfitted with heated seats, a leather steering wheel, and a push-button start for just $20,695.
All Accents come with a 120-horsepower four-cylinder engine, which won’t win you any drag races, but is certainly enough to get you everywhere you need to go. And with a combined fuel economy rating of 36 mpg, you’ll have money left to spend when you get there.
Highlights of the Accent include:
- Great value
- Ranks #2 for dependability among small cars according to J.D. Power
- Excellent fuel economy
Weaknesses include:
- Underwhelming engine
- NHTSA safety concern re: rear passenger side barrier
Other small Hyundai models
Along with the three compact and subcompact models listed above, Hyundai also offers a number of compact SUVs. Here’s a look:
- Hyundai Nexo ($60,730 MSRP): Hyundai’s marquee “eco” car, the Nexo is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and has a range of 380 miles.
- Hyundai Ioniq($24,695 MSRP): An unassuming hybrid, the Ioniq gets a combined 52 miles per gallon. The interior is also composed of sustainable natural materials such as volcanic rock and sugarcane.
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 ($41,245 MSRP): An all-electric crossover SUV, the Ioniq 5’s interior is composed of eco-friendly plant-based and recycled materials. It has been named Car and Driver’s EV of the Year.
- Hyundai Tucson($26,245 MSRP): Hyundai’s best-selling vehicle, the Tucson is available in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and traditional gas variations.
- Hyundai Kona($22,595 MSRP): A subcompact Ute, the Kona has been completely redesigned for the 2022 model year.
- Hyundai Venue($20,295 MSRP): While the Venue may be among the cheapest crossovers you can buy, it is flush with driver-assist features and tons of passenger space.
What is Hyundai’s smallest car?
The Veloster N is the smallest car sold by Hyundai, but the smallest vehicle in Hyundai’s fleet is the Hyundai Casper.
- Hyundai Veloster N wheelbase: 104.3 inches
- Hyundai Casper wheelbase: 94.5 inches
- Hyundai Veloster N cargo volume: 44.5 cubic feet
- Hyundai Casper cargo volume: 33.19 cubic feet
What is Hyundai’s cheapest car?
You probably already guessed it, but the cheapest Hyundai car on the market is the Accent. If you’re in the market for a functional economy car with a debonair exterior design for less than $20K, you should give the 2022 Hyundai Accent a serious look.
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How to save on Hyundai insurance
While compact cars are usually cheaper than midsize and large vehicles, they can be more expensive to insure. That’s because even small accidents can amount to a larger percentage of a small vehicle’s value, making them much more likely to be totaled in an accident.
Jerry is designed to save you time and money by comparing dozens of car insurance quotes to find you the best rates on car insurance. You’ll get the best deals sent straight to your smartphone, and, because Jerry is a licensed broker, you can take advantage of any offer right away by switching providers in the Jerry app.
“I would 11/10 recommendJerry. I was originally quoted $700+ for insurance for my new car, but by using Jerry I got my payments down to $320 a month. They also have a great support team ready to answer any questions!” —Tobias F.
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