2017 Hyundai Accent (Verna) revealed in the US

Hyundai has just revealed the new 2017 Accent for the American markets. The car, sold here in India as the Verna, was showcased at the 2017 Orange County Auto Show. Like the India-spec model, the new Accent features a more expressive design, better looking interiors, a more efficient powertrain and reduced cabin noise. 

According to Hyundai, the new Accent uses more high strength steel than before. In addition, the car’s torsional rigidity has been improved by 32 per cent and the steering feel has been refined with improvements to efficiency. The ride comfort on the US-spec cars has been improved by increasing the leverage ratio of the rear shock absorbers. 

On the outside, the car features Hyundai's cascading grille, a design cue integral to the company's identity. The grille is flanked by wraparound headlights and LED daytime running lights. The car also gets slim LED wraparound taillights, diamond-cut style wheels and indicators on wing mirrors.

Compared to the previous generation, the new Accent is larger and has more interior room. It’s wider by 1.2 inches, and the overall length has increased by 0.6 inches. However, its height remains unchanged, giving the car a more grounded stance. 

Under the hood there’s an updated powertrain tuned for better fuel efficiency and drivability. The updated 1.6-liter Gamma four-cylinder engine produces 130bhp. Compared with the previous-generation Accent, the engine’s got more low-end torque to make drivability easier. It’s paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. Fuel efficiency has also been improved by an estimated 7 per cent overall. As for safety features, it’s got six airbags along with ESP, stability control, traction control and ABS as standard.

The new Accent will arrive in Hyundai dealerships across the US later this year.