2006 Hyundai Accent Road Test

Now that I think of it, there aren't too many not-decent things about the

It has ample cargo volume with 351 liters (12.8 cu-ft.) behind the rear seats. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

Accent. It has ample cargo volume with 12.8 cu-ft behind the rear seats, visibility is commendable from most angles, gas mileage is great... gosh I'm stumped. It's by no means a "perfect" vehicle, as no vehicle priced under $10,000 could be, but it just has so many strong points that it's hard to nit-pick the bad ones.

Up until this point, I've never really thought about the name "Accent." To me, rather than just "accenting" a complete wardrobe this car "accentuates" life. It makes its driver feel good, not only because it achieves a ULEV rating while only sipping away at fuel, or because it has a great five year bumper-to-bumper warranty, but it's a car that I find really makes an emotional connection with its driver.

And as I have experienced with the new Tucson, Sonata, Azera and now

It's one small car with a whole lot of goodness to give. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

Accent, this is the direction Hyundai is taking with all of its cars. Instead of it being a brand people look to because its overall pricing is lower than the competition, or because its cars offer more features for the money than the rest, it's becoming a brand that people want to buy into because of the emotional connection that can be had with its cars.

The 2006 Hyundai Accent fits such a description. It's one small car with a whole lot of goodness to give.