2006 Hyundai Accent Preview

In a rather surprising move, for the time being Hyundai will only be offering the new Accent in one body style, and one trim

For the time being, Hyundai will only be offering the new Accent in one body style, and one trim level - the four-door GLS sedan. (Photo: Hyundai Auto Canada)

level - the four-door GLS sedan. The company hasn't mentioned anything about the three or five-door hatchbacks, two of its more popular body styles. If its relation to the Kia Rio is anything to go by, a five-door liftback will probably join the Accent range sometime next year. The layout will most likely be similar to the Kia Rio5, which debuted in Geneva in mid-March and New York later in the month.

Design-wise, Hyundai still hasn't found a particular styling theme or trait that it's sticking to, and each vehicle it produces is different with no evident visual pattern, except between the Sonata and the new Azera/Grandeur. The new Accent's nose has a certain air of Toyota Corolla to it, with its

Hyundai still hasn't found a particular styling theme or trait that it's sticking to. (Photo: Hyundai Auto Canada)

swept-back rectangular grille and angled halogen headlamps, defined by creases, which trail down the hood to the A-pillars.

High-mounted side rub strips and slight fender flares are amongst the few details to adorn the Accent's otherwise plain exterior. A nice touch is Hyundai's effort to make it feel like more than just bargain-basement transportation, with colour-keyed mirrors, bumpers and rub strips, areas typically left in black matte trim for money-saving reasons. Fourteen-inch steel wheels and wheel covers are standard, although larger 15-inch alloy wheels are an option.