At least for now Accent ends its history in our country and in a certain way it is a pity, since it was a model with an interesting trajectory in our country, since its presence dated from the time of the Verna by Dodge, which was nothing more than the second global generation of this car. The third and fourth generation assumed the name of Dodge Attitude. The fifth, with Hyundai officially established in our country, adopted its real name and was even manufactured in Mexico. Undoubtedly, the brand had high expectations, but unfortunately they were not met.
While one story comes to an end, another begins and that is that Hyundai does not abandon the subcompact segment, but rather introduces the new HB20, a car imported from Brazil, which, like its predecessor, is presented both in sedan format as hatchback. The interesting thing is that this car is not limited to just covering the gap left by the Accent, but actually, the brand has high hopes that its product will succeed in the market as it deserves.
It is so, that today I present to you all the secrets of new Hyundai HB20 2023, whose test unit corresponds to the Hatchback in the top version GLS AT Is it a good buy? We will discover it throughout this text.
Hyundai HB20 2023: Own personality
The name HB20 may seem like a simple alphanumeric sequence, but it holds a secret that will catch your attention. To start HB, it is not for hatchback, but actually means Hyundai Brazil, while 20 is to define the segment where it belongs. It’s like the i20, but in this case, Portuguese is spoken.
As the name implies, the HB20 is the first Hyundai car developed entirely in Brazil. The first generation dates from 2012, while the current one appears in 2019, receiving a major update in 2023, this being the model that arrives in our country. As you will see, this model is not as new as it seems.
I don’t like to delve too much into design issues, since it is one of the most subjective in a car. But the HB20 has some distinctive features such as headlights with daytime driving lights, the skulls that run the width of the vehicle, the C-pillar with a floating roof effect, the 16-inch wheels or the shark fin. It’s not overly flashy, but it’s not ugly either. It could be defined as sober, but attractive and with a personality that is very much in tune with the brand’s latest releases.. The blue tone of the test unit gives it an elegant air.
Hyundai HB20 2023: Equipment and space
Inside, we are greeted by a very Hyundai-like interior. While in the Accent square shapes prevailed, here the circles take center stage. Highlights the 8-inch screen with connectivity with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. It must be said, the coupling with our smartphone was fast, intuitive and very compliant. Likewise, the cluster is digital with a 4.2” LCD screen, with a “wave” design. The information displayed is very complete, while in the customization theme it is only possible to change the color to red, blue and turquoise. By the way, the inductive charger is on a tray that is “semi-hidden” from view, which helps to hide the phone a bit from prying eyes…
I like that the turn signal button is red, away from other controls. The armrest has a sliding center console, whose space is not cavernous, but it is useful enough to store objects such as the tag, wallet, keys, cell phones, and others.
The HB20 measures 4,015 mm long, 1,720 mm wide and 1,470 mm high. The space for the legs and head is adequate, not so for the shoulders where it comes to feel a little tight. Trunk space is 300 liters, which is good, but not the best in the segment. By the way, they can be shot down in 60/40.
Regarding materials, we have a typically Hyundai air. Hard plastics abound throughout the cabin. They do not have fancy textures, but they feel resistant and ready for abuse. On the dashboard and around the lever, a silver insert stands out, while the screen is flanked in piano black. By the way, the steering wheel and gear knob are covered in leather, while the seats are in vinyl with cloth.
Hyundai HB20 2023: Management and electronic assistance
This car is mounted on the PB platform, which is the same used by the fourth generation Accent, which as a major reference, in Mexico was the last Attitude provided by Hyundai. Thus, a priori, it might seem like a setback according to the model it replaces, but it has a few tricks that make us forget this detail.
The HB20 is powered by the well-known 1.6-liter four-cylinder capable of delivering 121 Hp and 119 lb-ft of torque., which is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. The weight of our car is 1,510 kilograms.
Frankly my expectations with this car were not the most optimistic, but I got a good surprise. Without being a hot hatch, acceleration is very good and at least behind the wheel it feels much more agile than most cars in its category, especially those that mount CVT boxes.
The steering feels slightly over-assisted, while the suspension (McPherson struts in front and torsion shaft in the rear) feels stout, tuned more for ride comfort. The imperfections of the road are effectively absorbed and the high height allows us to attack bumps without worrying about rubbing the fascia. Without a doubt, it is an urban car that feels comfortable on rough roads, one of those that abound in the metropolitan areas of Mexico City, Guadalajara or Monterrey, to give an example.
The little HB20 is not afraid to hit the road, as the engine allows us to shoot at 120 km/h with a relatively low engine, and a lot of it has to do with the good work of the gearbox. Even at 140/h it feels relatively comfortable, but the steering and suspension settings already force us to be more attentive.
One of the strengths of this car is the more than healthy endowment of security elements. Initially, it has 6 airbags, brakes with ABS (front disc and rear drum), ISOFIX anchors, reversing camera and sensors, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Assist Control (HAC), Control System Traction Signal (TCS) and Emergency Braking Signal (ESS).
But, what really stands out is the inclusion of assists such as Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Safe Exit Warning (SEW), Lane Keeping Assist (LFA), Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA), Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA), High Beam Change Assist (HBA), Cross Traffic Assist with Rear Collision Avoidance (RCCA) and Lane Correction System (LKA).
I honestly expected these items to be for show, and they won’t work properly. However, the Forward Collision Avoidance Assist and the Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist were my great allies.. I was pleasantly surprised by its performance, which left me feeling better than much more expensive cars.
By the way, Latin NCAP has not yet tested this latest version of HB20. Just for reference, in 2019 it got four stars with a car with only two airbags. It must be considered that the body’s requirements have been hardened since then, but this car has also improved a lot with the inclusion of more technology to safeguard passengers.
Hyundai HB20 2023: Gasoline consumption in real conditions
As is customary in autocosmos, we put the 2023 HB20 Hatchback through a real-world fuel economy test. The rules, you already know:
It was given a use like the one you would give it on a day-to-day basis. A mixed route was drawn up that would allow us to face the heavy traffic of Mexico City, while driving on the highway, without neglecting the journey through secondary and tertiary roads.
The only determining factor was not to drive at a speed that endangered our lives or that of the other drivers around us, without this meaning refraining from overtaking. In fact, on the highway the average speed was approximately 120 km/h. The air conditioning was on most of the time.
We traveled a total of 198.2 km, for which 15.63 Liters were necessary. This gives us an actual combined performance of 12.68 km/l. Just as a cultural fact, the brand announces up to 16.3 in the urban cycle and 18.5 km/l in the mixed. We are far from the official figures.
Hyundai HB20 2023: Is it a good buy?
So far, the 2023 HB20 Hatchback looks like a smart producthowever, the price of $438,400 pesos puts it on a par with the Peugeot 208 Allure and well above the top versions of Seat Ibiza, Mazda2 Hatchback either KIA Rio Hatchback. As you will see, it is positioned in the upper part of the segment and, in fact, it is already entering the territory of the Forte Hatchback more affordable.
To understand the HB20 Hatchback, it is necessary to understand that, unlike the Sedan, the five-door is only offered in the most equipped versions.. Its strengths are agile urban handling, a pleasant level of comfort equipment, as well as a truly remarkable security endowment for the segment. Even contradicting myself a bit, I can say that I particularly liked the design.
It may sound easy, but this combination of factors already makes it a niche car.. Many are willing to pay for sunroofs, and sophisticated screens, even for more size, but few for security. We will only have to wait for the Latin NCAP tests to support this.
