The second generation of the Accent saw the light in 1999, and even though it was just slightly bigger than its predecessor, it was heavily improved.
Hyundai was still young on the car-market when it introduced the second generation of the Accent. From its previous models, the Korean carmaker understood that it could win a place at the table only if it could offer more features for the same money. The second generation did even more than that.

While the first generation was a bland, rounded car, the second generation featured a grille that looked like a mouth with teeth. The angular headlights and sharp lines made the car look more aggressive. It was available in two body versions with three and five doors hatchback. The latter was the most commonly seen on the streets, while the former made a good impression on the World Rally Championship and raised the brand’s image in the world.

The interior was heavily improved over its predecessor with better materials and a roomier cabin due to the longer wheelbase. It was not a big difference, but it was the difference between pressed knees and touching knees for the rear passengers. The split-folding rear seats was a standard feature. The Accent featured a standard AC-unit and power-windows at the front. For selected markets, such as the north side of Europe and Canada, the Accent was not just a cheap transportation device. It was a car.

For the powertrain, Hyundai installed a 1.3-liter gasoline engine for the base level and a 1.5-liter unit. The latter was available with an automatic transmission as well.