Battle Of the Sedans: Toyota Vios Vs Hyundai Accent

By: Selina Tan, for Automart.PH

The Hyundai Accent and the Toyota Vios are two of the most popular sub-compact sedans in the market. Both models share a lot in common, but are also significantly different from one another. These two are often used as taxis or TNVS, and they offer fantastic features for their price tags.

First thing to take note of is that the Toyota Vios is still being sold in the Philippines as of October 2022, but the Hyundai Accent sedan, and Hyundai Accent 5-door Hatchback has already been discontinued. The latter is now only available on the used car market, including Automart.PH. This comparison will focus on features of the 2022 Toyota Vios versus a 2020 Hyundai Accent.

With that said, let us now compare these two sub-compact champions.

1. Size

Not including the body kits equipped Toyota Vios GR-S, the Hyundai Accent Sedan is longer than the Toyota Vios by 15mm, and is narrower by only 1mm. This makes any difference between the two sedans negligible. Their interior space is about the same, but for those who would often carry large amounts of cargo in the back, the Toyota Vios takes the win, being larger by 118 liters.

We must, however, not discount the fact that the Hyundai Accent was also available with an alternative body style as the Hyundai Accent Hatchback which features increased cargo capacity.

2. Style

Because of its fresh looks and recent updates, the Vios looks more modern than the Accent. You also get the benefit of having more variants to choose from ranging from the 1.3 Base with not much standard styling accessories all the way to the range-topping sporty looking 1.5 GR-S, for a total of seven variants. 1.3XLE variants and up also benefit from alloy wheels.

The Accent on the other hand goes for a more neutral take on styling, and was last updated years back. While six variants officially exist, some of these are very similar and are just safer versions of the other variant; ex: 1.4GL A/T w/Airbags, vs 1.4GL A/T w/o Airbags. Alloy wheels are not available, and you would have to make do with the standard set of steelies no matter the variant. For this reason, the Toyota Vios gets the uncontested win in terms of styling.

3.  Features

Some Toyota Vios variants (1.3XE and up) have an improved infotainment screen compared to the Hyundai Accent. This includes a 6.75” display with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The Hyundai Accent only enjoyed a 3.8” screen across all variants.

1.5G variants and up of the Toyota Vios get automatic climate control, while its rival only gets manual AC controls across the lineup. A big difference, however, is the inclusion of rear AC vents, exclusive for the Hyundai Accent.

In terms of features, the Toyota Vios takes the overall win.

4. Safety

Safety-wise, the Toyota Vios is also available with up to seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, while the Hyundai Accent can go from a measly two airbags, all the way to none. The Vios also gets the added benefit of ABS with EBD, Vehicle Stability Control, and Hill Start Assist as standard across the lineup, which the Hyundai Accent, no matter the variant, does not.

A 5-Star crash safety rating was given to the Toyota Vios and the Hyundai Accent by the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program and the Australasian New Cap Assessment Program (ANCAP) respectively, however, the dates of which the cars were tested and equipment of the tested units differ. The Toyota Vios was given a 5-Star crash rating in 2018, while the Hyundai Accent received a 5-Star crash rating back in 2011. Furthermore, the Hyundai Accent had extra safety features not available here in the Philippines such as anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), and electronic stability control (ESC). The seven year gap between testings saw widespread changes in crash safety tolerances and standard safety feature thresholds and therefore, in so far as safety, the Toyota Vios is the absolute winner.

5. Powertrain

While the Toyota Vios has been earning most of the scores up until now, the Hyundai Accent fights back in the powertrain and fuel efficiency categories.

The Toyota Vios and the Hyundai Accent are both available with two engine options and with automatic and manual transmission options as well:

Hyundai Accent 1.4L Gasoline - 100PS, and 132Nm torque

Hyundai Accent 1.6L Diesel – 128PS, 260Nm torque

Toyota Vios 1.3L Gasoline – 99PS, 123Nm torque

Toyota Vios 1.5L Gasoline – 107PS, 140Nm torque

The Accent’s 1.4L gasoline engine makes similar power as the Vios’ 1.3L gasoline engine, with only a slight bump up on torque figures for the Accent 1.4L. On the higher end of the spectrum, the Accent’s 1.6L oil burner outputs considerably more power and torque compared to even the Vios’ 1.5L engine, with the latter being attributed to diesel’s inherent ability to produce more torque compared to gasoline engines.

6. Fuel Efficiency

Hyundai Accent 1.4L Gasoline - ~11Km/L City, ~21Km/L Highway

Hyundai Accent 1.6L Diesel – ~9Km/L City, ~29Km/L Highway

Toyota Vios 1.3L Gasoline – ~10Km/L City, ~22Km/L Highway

Toyota Vios 1.5L Gasoline – ~8Km/L City, ~17Km/L Highway

For fuel economy, as expected, despite being the highest displacement engine in the bunch, the Accent’s 1.6L Diesel fares the best. With this is mind, those who are shopping for a basic point A to point B vehicle for the least costs will happily enjoy either of the two cars’ lower displacement variants, but for those who are looking to carry large loads, multiple passengers, and often travel long distances, the Accent’s 1.6L diesel engine might be the superior choice.

7. Price

Since we are doing an unequal comparison of these two vehicles; one being a new car, and another being a used car, it would be a moot point to compare their prices.

For everyone’s information, a 2019 Hyundai Accent can be picked up for as low as 340,000 PHP from Automart.PH for the 1.4L Gasoline variant, while a new Toyota Vios can range between 686,000 PHP for the Vios 1.3 Base variant, up to 1,050,000 PHP for the top of the line Vios 1.5 GR-S in White Pearl Crystal Shine.

8. Conclusion

So, which among the two should you buy?

If you value safety, tech, and a modern look, have a budget in excess of 600,000 PHP, and do not mind the lack of an oil burning power plant, then by all means, go for the Toyota Vios. After all, it not only has the Toyota badge backing it up, but also essentially has unlimited support given the number of aftermarket parts and services on offer here in the country.

On the other hand, if your budget is limited and you also value the option of going for diesel power with better fuel economy, then the less spec-ed Hyundai Accent will not disappoint.

Should you go for this latter option, good news as Automart.PH is home to multiple used, but high quality Hyundai Accents that will fit a sub-400,000 PHP budget.

Content Editor Kyle Liong contributed to this story.

Automart.PH offers a wide selection of used cars at great prices, ranging from compact cars to pick-up trucks, that suit your needs.

And if you’re looking for the finest used cars, check out Automart.PH Certified Used Vehicles. These are restored until they feel like new again. They also come with a three-day money-back guarantee and, for Gold Certified units, a one-year warranty.