Hyundai Motor PH to bring back the Accent?

When Hyundai launched the sixth-generation Accent last year, we were blown away by its looks and level of technology. Borrowing styling cues from the Stargazer and Staria, the B-segment sedan not only looks futuristic but is also packed to the brim with the brand’s latest amenities like wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, as well as Smartsense intelligent driver aids.

At the time, India was one of the first-ever markets to get the all-new Hyundai Accent. However, it looks like it could make a comeback in the Philippines. According to a well-placed source, Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. (HMPH) is reportedly considering bringing the latest generation B-segment sedan to the local market.

This is good news since the Accent has been a favorite among Hyundai customers ever since it was first launched in the country in the mid-2000s. It also proved to be quite popular against the likes of the Toyota Vios and Honda City until it was axed from the local lineup in favor of crossovers & MPVs. But why did HMPH take so long to decide to bring back the Accent?

According to our insider, the company originally planned to bring back the Accent as early as 2023. Unfortunately, since it will have to be sourced from India, the automaker couldn’t justify the high price tag once it arrived here.

But with the all-new Accent now available (and manufactured) in Vietnam, HMPH could take advantage of the ASEAN Free Trade in order to price the sedan competitively. Add the fact that Vietnam is a left-hand drive (LHD) market, the automaker can ship the vehicle without any major modifications.

There’s no exact timeline yet as to when the rumored Hyundai Accent will make its Philippine comeback. But given that it’s already being sold in Vietnam, it might not take long for the HMPH to sort out the paperwork and legalities required to source vehicles from our ASEAN neighbor.

As far as powertrain specs are concerned, the PH-spec Accent will likely get the same engine and transmission options as the ones sold in Vietnam. That means a 1.5-liter Smartstream four-cylinder gas engine that makes 115 PS with 144 Nm of torque across all variants. Transmission choices, on the other hand, will most likely be a 6-speed manual and an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). If those figures and specs look familiar, it’s the same powertrain available in the Stargazer and Creta.

Do you think the return of the Accent will translate to more sales for HMPH in the country given that it’s a favorite among buyers? Let us know in the comments.