A 5-speed manual transmission with revised gear ratios is standard across the line. The optional 4-speed electronically-controlled adaptive-logic automatic skips downshifts when needed to reduce the shift intervals when slowing down or delay up-shifts to reduce gear- hunting when accelerating uphill.
As I mentioned previously the Accent is an accomplished handler. This is mostly due to its four-wheel independent suspension - rare for this class of car. Up front it features MacPherson struts and offset coil springs plus an anti-roll bar. The caster angle has been increased while the suspension geometry reworked to reduce nose-lift under acceleration and nosedive when on the brakes. The Accent also incorporates a front sub-frame which reduces road noise and should enhance safety in a frontal collision. In the back a dual-link suspension design includes coil springs and an anti-roll bar.
Power rack and pinion steering with a 4.95 m (16.2 ft) turning circle comes standard on all models except the base GS 5-speed, making getting in and out of tight parking spaces easy and maneuvering out on the open road direct and responsive.
If you're looking for 4-wheel disc brakes and ABS you'll need to look further up market. The Accent uses ventilated discs up front and self-adjusting drums in the rear, but they are power-assisted on all models - new for this year. Also new for 2003, the front pad material has been improved to reduce shudder during panic stops. The rear drums have a larger brake lining area too, to reduce squealing. What's more a 9-inch brake booster enhances brake pedal feel.
Standard features include a rear window defroster, retractable dual cupholder, remote fuel filler release, variable intermittent windshield wipers, cut-pile carpeting, digital quartz clock, tachometer, tinted glass and 5-way adjustable driver's seat. The GSi adds the previously mentioned rear spoiler, plus alloy wheels, a sunroof, body side aero trim, fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear-shift knob, sport-tuned suspension, rear-wiper/washer and a racy instrument cluster, all standard. Both the GSi and GL sedan also include an AM/FM/CD audio system, plus GL sedan gets a remote trunk release. The base 3-door GS and 4-door GL receive P175/70R13 all-season tires and full wheel covers while the GSi gets larger P185/60R14 tires on alloy rims.