The Hyundai Accent does 30.2 mpg combined (26.6 city, 35.3 highway), which works out to about $1,272 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.6L 4-cyl does 31.6 mpg while 1.5L 4-cyl does 28 — a difference of $156 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Hyundai Accent engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 28.2 / 36.6 | 2006–2022 | $1,215 | |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 24.2 / 33.2 | 1995–2005 | $1,371 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.106 |
| Fuel per year | $1,272 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,360 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$240 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,005 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 26.6 mpg | $1,444 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 35.3 mpg | $1,088 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.7 mpg (33%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Accent changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 33 / 41 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2021 | 33 / 41 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2020 | 33 / 41 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2019 | 28 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2018 | 28 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2017 | 27 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2016 | 27 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2015 | 27 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2014 | 27 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2013 | 28 / 37 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2012 | 28 / 37 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2011 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2010 | 27 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2009 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2008 | 27 / 32 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2007 | 27 / 32 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2006 | 27 / 32 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2005 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2004 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2003 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2002 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2001 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2000 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1999 | 24 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1998 | 25 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1997 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1996 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1995 | 25 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Hyundai Accent get?
30.2 mpg combined on average — 26.6 in the city and 35.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1995–2022.
How much does a Hyundai Accent cost in fuel per year?
About $1,272 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,360 over five years, or 0.106 dollars a mile.
Which Accent engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 31.6 mpg, against 28 for the 1.5L 4-cyl — a difference of about $156 a year.
Is the Accent good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.