Hyundai Accent Sport 2017 price and spec confirmed

Hyundai Australia has overhauled its two-tier Accent light car range, with the Active and SR variants replaced by the standalone Sport trim level for both sedan and hatch body styles.

The four- and five-door models are priced identically from $15,490 before on-road costs when paired to a six-speed manual gearbox, while versions with a six-speed automatic transmission command a $2000 premium.

Comparatively, the discontinued entry-level Active cost $500 less for manual and automatic versions, while the top-spec SR was $1500 pricier than the Accent Sport.

As part of the transition to a single-variant line-up, the Sport employs the 1.6-litre 'Gamma' naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine from the superseded SR, with outputs of 103kW and 167Nm.

Accent has been an award winner and strong seller for us in the Australian light car market.

Given the departed Active had a 1.4-litre 'Kappa' unit that could only muster 74kW and 133Nm, this is a sizeable improvement for the small increase in cost.

Furthermore, that powerplant's automatic option was a continuously variable transmission (CVT), not a traditional torque converter like that of the new Accent Sport.

The Sport also pinches its 16-inch eight-spoke alloy wheels shod with 195/50 tyres from the SR.

Extra kit added to the incoming Accent Sport flagship includes a cruise control function, as well as a premium sports steering wheel and gear knob. Meanwhile, the model is denoted by a 'Sport' badge adhered to the rear end.

Standard equipment levels extend to six airbags, 5.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, Apple CarPlay support, auxiliary/USB inputs, Bluetooth connectivity, power windows, air conditioning and cloth trim. Metallic and mica paint is available optionally for $495.

Every Sport comes with a capped-price servicing program, with five intervals of one year/15,000km costing $245 each – excluding the fourth service which costs $345.

Hyundai Australia COO Scott Grant says the introduction of the Accent Sport offers more value than the South Korean carmaker's previous light car line-up.

Sitting pretty as the top-seller in its segment, the Accent has sold 6349 examples to the end of May this year.

"Accent has been an award winner and strong seller for us in the Australian light car market, and it now offers greater appeal than ever before," he said.

"With such desirable new features as the 1.6-litre Gamma engine, 16-inch alloys and cruise control now standard – all for just $500 above the outgoing Active's list price – Accent Sport represents an exceptional entry point to Hyundai's range of cars."

Sitting pretty as the top-seller in its segment, the Accent has sold 6349 examples to the end of May this year, comfortably outpacing the Mazda2 (5080), Toyota Yaris (4815), Honda Jazz (2895), Volkswagen Polo (2704), Kia Rio (2415), Holden Barina (1152) and Ford Fiesta (716) during the same period.

This follows its 2016 result where the Hyundai finished the year as the best-selling light car with 18,703 units finding homes, again ahead of the Mazda2 (13,639) and Yaris (12,158).

The Accent Sport is now on sale in local showrooms.

Has Hyundai packed enough value into the Accent Sport to keep the light car at the top of its class? Tell us what you think in the comments below.