Hyundai Accent surpasses City and Vios as Vietnam’s best-selling B-segment sedan in Jan 2021

While Malaysian buyers tend to prefer Japanese cars over Korean cars, in Vietnam, it seems that the opposite is the case. The Kia Seltos was the best-selling B-segment SUV there in January 2021 and the same goes for the Hyundai Accent in the B-segment sedan category.

According to a sales report by Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA), 1,799 units of the Hyundai Accent were delivered in January 2021. This accounts for 29.5% market share, followed by the Honda City with 25.9% market share (1,579 units).

The Toyota Vios, which was one of the best-selling cars in Vietnam in 2020, dropped to third place with 1,345 units sold. The reason for this drop in sales is due to phasing out of the previous Vios, to launch the new updated model that's already available in Malaysia.

Vietnamese buyers will also get to enjoy the sporty-looking GR Sport variant that debuted in Malaysia late last year. The Accent's position at the top might be short-lived as the updated Vios is expected to regain its position in the coming months.

Read also: Missed opportunity: Where's the manual transmission 2020 Toyota Vios GR Sport?

Rounding up the remainder of the list are the Kia Soluto (605 units), Mazda 2 (343 units), Mitsubishi Attrage (275 units), and Suzuki Ciaz (147 units). It is of note that the sales figures of the Mazda 2 include both the sedan and hatchback variants.

What’s so great about the Hyundai Accent?

Malaysians would recognise the Hyundai Accent especially the RX-S variant of the second-generation with its huge wing. However, the Accent has evolved leaps and bounds since then.

Unveiled in December, the Vietnamese-spec Accent is given a refreshed design that is less radical-looking than its bigger siblings, the Elantra and Sonata. Nevertheless, it’s a pretty design.

Powering the Vietnamese-spec Accent is a 1.4-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder Kappa engine (100 PS/132 Nm). This is paired with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

It’s priced lower than the Toyota Vios but the Accent isn’t what you might call underequipped. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and rear air-con are available as standard on all variants of the Accent in Vietnam.

In terms of safety equipment, the Accent is available with 6 airbags, ABS, ESC with brake assist, and a reverse camera.

Interesting specs, right? Rumour is the Accent might be one of the models to be assembled at Hyundai’s new Indonesian plant. Some of these models could be brought into Malaysia, so fingers crossed.