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To someone used to a
subcompact as new as three years old, the Accent would seem terrific, and by
the standards of that age it would be. It is rides comfortably, gets
excellent gas mileage, has comfortable front seating, a long warranty, and a
low price. And then, its crash test performance, rear seat space, and
acceleration were the norm, and would not have hurt it. But the subcompact
market has changed, adding interior space, refinement, power, and safety
previously unknown to the class. And the Accent is stuck with its newfound
mediocrity. $14,167 isn’t much money for a new car, but it’s a lot of money
for a mediocre one.
The Accent has a
comfortable, reasonably well-controlled ride, but the softly-sprung
suspension allows for excessive body roll in corners. Unlike some newer
subcompacts, driving enjoyment is not on the agenda. The 1.6-liter engine
feels adequate in city driving, but is overworked elsewhere. It gets noisy
under acceleration, but is generally quiet otherwise. Some road noise is
audible as well. The Accent gets very good gas mileage.
Inside the Accent has
acceptably roomy and comfortable front seats that include handy cushion
height and angle adjustments. They are well-shaped, but could use a longer
cushion. The rear is cramped, with little leg space, but there is adequate
foot space beneath the front seats when they are raised to their highest
positions.
 The
interior is well-constructed, but with decidedly low-budget materials. The
gauges are a bit small but clear, and the simple instruments are logically
arrayed. Drivers sit comfortably enough, and have good visibility. The
smallish door openings complicate entry/exit, as do the small rear footwells.
The trunk is adequately sized and reasonably well-shaped.
The Accent reviewed here
came in at $14,167, the group’s lowest price. However, cruise and traction
control are not offered, and the once-standard antilock brakes are now a
difficult-to-find option.
Overall, the Accent lacks
the interior space and safety of newer subcompacts, and isn’t so inexpensive
that a better compact car cannot be had for a similar price. There are
better choices.
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