Ditched Automatic Means MPG Boost for Hyundai Accent, Elantra

For the 2020 model year, Hyundai’s subcompact Accent and compact Elantra ditch their six-speed automatics in favor of a continuously variable unit — a move that’s not likely to elicit too many cries of protest.

Honestly, given the models’ modest torque figures, a traditional slushbox hardly amounts to motoring bliss, and drivers stand to gain faster manual shifts with a CVT. They also stand to gain a significant bump in fuel economy.

For 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency rates the CVT-equipped Accent sedan at 33 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined. Who needs a pricier hybrid? Compare these figures (first noticed by The Car Connection) to that of last year’s model, which carries a 28 city/38 highway/32 combined figure.

Interestingly, fuel economy rises for the manual transmission model, too, though not as noticeably. The three-pedal Accent’s MPG rating rises to 29 city/39 highway/33 combined for 2020, up from 2019’s 28/37/31. We’re waiting for word from Hyundai as to the reason for the improvement. While Hyundai has a family of “Smartstream” four-cylinders in the works, we weren’t aware that the 2020 Accent stood to gain one of these units.

Hyundai’s Smartstream engines boost fuel economy by optimizing thermal efficiency; a member of this family appears in the front-drive Venue crossover revealed at the New York Auto show.

As for the Elantra, ditching the six-speed auto spells a combined improvement of 2 mpg in models equipped with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Maximum combined fuel economy rises to 35 mpg in the Elantra SE, with other CVT-equipped 2.0L models rated at 34 mpg.

Currently, the EPA’s roster of tested 2020 Elantras is meager, with no word on the thirstiness of the Elantra GT or manual-transmission models.

[Image: Hyundai]