Acceleration with automatic is adequate around town, but weak in nearly every driving condition--as evidenced by the leisurely 11.1 seconds it took for a test Accent to reach 60 mph. Accents struggle up hills and trying to achieve freeway speeds. Manual-transmission versions are livelier, though one test SE suffered imprecise shift action. The four-speed automatic downshifts promptly and smoothly for passing. EPA city ratings suggest fine real-world fuel economy. An automatic GLS sedan averaged 21.8 mpg, including gas-eating performance runs. A manual-shift GS reached a frugal 34.2 mpg. Hyundai recommends regular-grade fuel. Accents ride comfortably over smaller bumps, but soft suspension tuning on GS/GLS models allows moderate bounding over large high-speed humps. SE versions have a sport suspension that stops bounding, but allows more bumps to register. A surprisingly solid structural feel belies the low price of an Accent, enhancing the impression of ride comfort. Power steering is overboosted, lacking road feel. Handling dynamics are otherwise on par for the class. Fast cornering produces fair body lean and modest grip from skinny tires, though Accents feel safe and predictable. Expect sharper moves with an SE, thanks to its firmer suspension and 16-inch tires. Good braking power is enhanced by standard ABS, laudable at this price level. Brakes offer good control and solid pedal feel. Accents aren't quiet, but not especially noisy either. The engine is a bit buzzy from around 4000 rpm on up, but is never objectionably loud. Wind noise is modest for this class, though coarse-surface tire thrum is fairly high. Dashboards show style and good design with clear gauges and simple, logical controls. Cloth upholstery has an unexpectedly classy look and feel. Plastic panels look nice, too, but a few feel budget-grade flimsy to the touch, and padded surfaces are scarce. Front seats are fairly roomy for the class, with six-footer head clearance plus good leg space. Still, taller drivers may crave more seat travel. Seats are relatively high and seem comfortable, but need better thigh support. Driver comfort is aided by the standard height-adjustable seat and tilt steering wheel. Visibility is good all-around. Rear headroom and foot space exceed the subcompact class norm. Pushing front seats well back squeezes legroom, but knees won't dig into seatbacks. Entry/exit is okay in sedans, but stoop-and-twist in hatchbacks. The sloping roofline limits hatchback headroom. Hatchback cargo areas are usefully larger than the sedan's trunk, but both body styles have a shallow opening that complicates loading bulky items. Folding rear seatbacks help compensate, increasing the usable space. Cabin storage is not great, but front door map pockets include handy bottle holders.

Value for the Money
Accent has one-upped most subcompacts by supplying front side airbags and curtain side airbags as standard equipment. These hatchbacks and sedans are hardly quiet, but they deliver solid build quality, reasonable interior space, and more equipment than the low new-car price would suggest. A strong warranty adds to Accent's Best Buy appeal as an entry-level car. Accents do not hold their value too well, so used-car prices tend to be relatively low.