Even as it has made advances in other areas, Hyundai has lagged its more experienced competitors in fuel economy. Even the tiny Accent, with a 1.6-liter engine and automatic transmission, only managed 24 miles-per-gallon in the city and 33 on the highway in the EPA’s tests last year. A Toyota Yaris: 29 in the city, and 35 on the highway.

But, among other things, the new Genesis luxury sedan signalled that Hyundai was making great strides in this area. Even with a 375-horsepower V8 this large luxury sedan earned ratings of 17 city and 25 highway, besting Toyota’s equivalent, the Lexus LS 460, by one MPG in each test. The new Borrego SUV from sister company Kia similarly earned best-in-class ratings.

And the Accent? Both numbers are up by two this year. How’d they do it? Hyundai credits “smart engineering enhancements to the Accent’s engine, transmission, tire pressure, powertrain management system and power steering pump.” In other words, a little bit here and a little bit there. No breakthroughs, just intensive refinement.