Click HERE to see a video on the Hyundai Accent5.
Long-live 5 doors
Since 1995, the Accent has been Hyundai's bread and butter car. This first generation Accent was not as reliable as Hyundai would have liked it to be, although it was quite a step up from the old Pony. The maker persevered, improved it, and the car really became a hit. In 1999, the present generation was introduced and is as popular as ever.
The principal attraction for Quebecers is that the Accent is available as a 3-door hatchback. For some reason, after 2000 Honda decided to pull the plug on the Civic hatchback which left a large hole in the sub-compact segment; perfect for the Accent to fill. Shortly after, Toyota brought the Echo hatchback to the Canadian market to steal some of the Accent's steam. Hyundai decided that for the 2005 model year, it would introduce the missing piece in the Accent puzzle: a 5-door hatchback.
The price range for the Accent begins at $12,995 and will reach $16,345 fully equipped. The tested model was an Accent5 GL with the Comfort package that retails for $15,545.
Exterior styling
The Accent is generally attractive. It does not have the spunk of the Echoor the more stylistic lines of the Chevrolet Aveo, however shape is typically Korean and somehow familiar. I find that the 5-door is the best looking of the three body styles; its proportions are better divided and it is just plain easier to live with. I found the hood creases to be one of the Accent's most distinctive features.
Interior styling
The dashboard is well put together. I was expecting much worse, however the panel fitment was surprisingly good. Only the plastics are still on the lower end of the quality scale. Dash layout is simple and effective with no parti
cular problems. The steering wheel is slightly off axis and the radio controls may be a tad small, though these really are minor annoyances.
The front seats are satisfyingly comfortable and supportive as is the rear-folding bench. The cabin is sufficiently roomy for four passengers. Front elbowroom is a little tight. Shifting was slightly difficult especially with a large winter jacket hanging in the way. The trunk is also very large.
Long-live 5 doors
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The principal attraction for Quebecers is that the Accent is available as a 3-door hatchback. For some reason, after 2000 Honda decided to pull the plug on the Civic hatchback which left a large hole in the sub-compact segment; perfect for the Accent to fill. Shortly after, Toyota brought the Echo hatchback to the Canadian market to steal some of the Accent's steam. Hyundai decided that for the 2005 model year, it would introduce the missing piece in the Accent puzzle: a 5-door hatchback.
The price range for the Accent begins at $12,995 and will reach $16,345 fully equipped. The tested model was an Accent5 GL with the Comfort package that retails for $15,545.
Exterior styling
The Accent is generally attractive. It does not have the spunk of the Echoor the more stylistic lines of the Chevrolet Aveo, however shape is typically Korean and somehow familiar. I find that the 5-door is the best looking of the three body styles; its proportions are better divided and it is just plain easier to live with. I found the hood creases to be one of the Accent's most distinctive features.
Interior styling
The dashboard is well put together. I was expecting much worse, however the panel fitment was surprisingly good. Only the plastics are still on the lower end of the quality scale. Dash layout is simple and effective with no parti
cular problems. The steering wheel is slightly off axis and the radio controls may be a tad small, though these really are minor annoyances.The front seats are satisfyingly comfortable and supportive as is the rear-folding bench. The cabin is sufficiently roomy for four passengers. Front elbowroom is a little tight. Shifting was slightly difficult especially with a large winter jacket hanging in the way. The trunk is also very large.