Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Hyundai Accent Hatchback review (2006-2009)

When you compare the Accent to the leap Hyundai made with the Santa Fe SUV, it's a bit of a disappointment

Overall Auto Express rating

1.0

How we review cars
Find your Hyundai Accent
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

Driving
The Accent only offers a single engine, but the 1.4-litre petrol unit is impressive, pulling well at any speed. It gets coarse above 4,000rpm, but the sweet-shifting five-speed manual transmission means changing up early is no hardship. Throw the Accent at a corner and you'll find the steering is direct, if a little lifeless, and the hatch resists understeer impressively. The damping could be more finely tuned, as large bumps unsettle the car, and the ride can become floaty at times.

Marketplace
The Accent is aiming to make a splash with buyers on a budget. The keenly-priced machine is charged bringing the brand back into the reckoning in the competitive family car market, and is promising to pull out all the stops to make it happen. However, the journey is unlikely to be easy. Although the new design and low price tag are appealing, the car is only available as a three-door, and has a limited engine choice. Trim selection is also poor, with the only major option being that of an automatic gearbox. Really, it competes with sister car, the Kia Rio, along with other larger superminis such as the Honda Jazz, Fiat Grande Punto and Vauxhall Corsa.

Owning
Open the door and it's clear that there has been a concerted effort to improve quality. The dashboard is well laid out and there's plenty of seat adjustment, so getting comfortable is not a problem. Access to the rear is acceptable, thanks to front chairs that tilt forward. But there are still problems. Some of the plastics are shiny and hard, and the parcel shelf doesn't lift up with the hatch. And as for running costs, the insurance rating is a bit high and retained values aren't great. Still, economy is good.

Engines, performance and drive

0

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

0

Interior, design and technology

0

Practicality, comfort and boot space

0

Reliability and Safety

0
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Accent Hatchback

Hyundai Accent Atlantic

Hyundai Accent Atlantic

With its fresh looks, the revised Hyundai Accent is aiming to make a splash with buyers on a budget
Road tests
6 Sep 2006
Hyundai Accent CRDi 3dr

Hyundai Accent CRDi 3dr

The Accent is comfortable, cheap to run... and much better than before
Road tests
14 Jun 2006
Hyundai Accent 1.5 VGT

Hyundai Accent 1.5 VGT

Suffering from broken gearboxes, crazy electrics, duff interior trim and lacklustre looks, it's no wonder that Hyundai's 2002 Accent was not an Auto E…
Road tests
20 Dec 2005
Hyundai Accent

Hyundai Accent

If value for money is your priority, then a Hyundai will always be near the top of your shortlist. With a five-year warranty as standard and a range w…
Used car tests
25 Nov 2003