It’s the end of the line for two models in the Hyundai automobile range, as the automaker is killing off the Accent subcompact sedan and Veloster hatchback coupe. Both products will not be carried over to the 2023 model year.
Hyundai says it will continue to offer sedans even with the Accent gone
In a statement, the South Korean automaker explained that the Accent had to be dropped due to an expanded SUV lineup that includes the Venue, which will now serve as Hyundai’s entry-level offering. It did emphasize that sedans will still be offered, in the form of the Elantra compact and Sonata midsize models.
As for the Veloster, the standard model had long been phased out in favor of the Veloster N. That version is now set to be retired as well due to Hyundai’s expansion of the N brand to the Elantra and the Kona, the latter being a more successful nameplate that will have a next-generation model coming out in 2023.
The Veloster lineup will be replaced by the more successful Kona
This development follows Hyundai’s previous announcement that it will be discontinuing its first-ever hybrid model, the Ioniq, by July 2022. The Ioniq was the carmaker’s first-ever model available in three electrified powertrains, selling 135,000 units in Europe between 2016 and 2021.
Hyundai had already spun off Ioniq as a separate sub-brand for EVs, starting with the award-winning Ioniq 5
In 2020, Hyundai eventually spun off the nameplate into a separate sub-brand similar to the Genesis luxury series, with an emphasis on producing electric vehicles. The first of the line was the Ioniq 5 midsize electric crossover, going on to win the 2022 German Car Of The Year Award. Other accolades include World Car Of The Year, World Electric Vehicle Of The Year, and World Car Design of the Year at the 2022 World Car Awards.
The news of the Accent’s impending demise is unfortunate, given its recent standout performance at the J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Survey which it topped for the second straight year. But then, it’s a reflection of market realities as more customers are opting for models that offer more space.
Hyundai’s model lineup for 2023 will comprise the following:
- Palisade
- Santa Fe (combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid)
- Tucson (combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid)
- Kona (combustion, electric)
- Santa Cruz
- Venue
- NEXO Hydrogen Fuel Cell EV
- Ioniq 5 EV
- Elantra (combustion, hybrid)
- Elantra N
- Sonata (combustion, hybrid)
- Sonata N Line
A number of these models will be making their way to our market when Hyundai Motor Philippines begins its operations this month.
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