2006 Hyundai Accent Review

The revamped Hyundai Accent GLS sedan has arrived just in time for projected $3-a-gallon gasoline prices this summer.

The compact, front-drive GLS is larger and more powerful, with lots of safety features. It delivers an estimated 32 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway with its standard five-speed manual transmission and 28 and 36 with an available four-speed automatic.

The new model is nearly 2 inches longer, 1 inch wider and 3 inches higher than the 2005 GLS sedan. Its wheelbase (distance between axles) has grown 2.3 inches to 98.4 inches for a better ride. And a widened track provides improved handling and a more purposeful looking stance.

The GLS is smoothly styled, and items such as its body color, large outside door handles, mirrors and bodyside molding help give it an upscale appearance.

The new model rolls on larger wheels and wider tires, which are always a blessing because they help handling and braking. The car's 14-inch wheels and 65-series tires still are nothing to shout about, but are an improvement over the skinny 13-inch wheels and 70-series tires on the 2005 GLS.

Wider (55-series) tires on 15-inch alloy wheels are in a $1,500 Premium Sport option package, with which my test car was equipped.

The Accent sedan comes only in the GLS trim level. It lists at $13,305 with the responsive automatic transmission and at $12,445 with the manual gearbox. The manual needs a more precise shifter, but that transmission enhances performance a bit -- not to mention fuel economy.

The Accent's 1.6-liter four-cylinder overhead-camshaft, 16-valve engine pumps out 110 horsepower -- or six more than last year's model. It has variable valve timing for better response, but is a high-rev unit that works hard for the best acceleration. It's generally quiet, though.

Performance with my test car's automatic transmission (a five-speed unit would be more modern) was lively in town. But the 0-60 mph dash was so-so at 10.8 seconds and 65-75 mph passing on highways was leisurely. However, steady 70 mph cruising was no problem, and the car was very quiet for a small-engine compact at highway speeds.

Steering is quick and the ride is supple over rough streets, although the soft suspension doesn't encourage fast driving on overly bumpy roads. The brake pedal should have a more positive feel, but stopping distances are impressive. My test car's handling was decent with the wider wheels and tires, but the thinner standard tires don't provide as much road grip.

The GLS has more standard equipment than one might expect with its low prices. They include supportive front bucket seats, tilt steering wheel and manual eight-way adjustable driver's seat with fold-down armrest.

There's also an AM/FM/CD sound system with six speakers, illuminated visor mirrors, tachometer, intermittent wipers, rear defroster and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback.

The rigidly built GLS trumps many rivals with its safety features. It has no less than eight air bags, including front side-impact bags and head-protecting side curtain bags. The GLS also has standard anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution.

It won't be easy for many GLS buyers to bypass the $1,500 Premium Sport package because it contains air conditioning, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, heated power mirrors and the 15-inch wheels and 55-series tires. Air conditioning is a stand-alone $800 option.

There's decent room for four 6-footers. Leg space for a tall passenger behind a tall driver gets tight, but that's no problem for a rear occupant behind a tall front passenger. A rear center armrest containing cupholders is best used because the center of the back seat is too hard for comfort.

Gauges can be read easily and the nicely designed interior has an attractive two-tone color theme, although some trim is marginal. The driver's seating position has been raised 2 inches for the higher eyepoint some drivers prefer, and all-around visibility is good. Climate controls are large, and radio sound system controls are conveniently placed high.

The glove compartment is tiny, but there are a good number of storage areas, including doors with storage pockets and bottle holders. However, front cupholders are set a little too low and rather far back on the console. There are two 12-volt outlets.

The large trunk has a low, wide opening. Seatbacks flip forward to increase the cargo area, but the pass-through opening between the trunk and rear seat area is only moderately large.

Want a sportier Accent? Coming later this year is a shorter, early 2007 two-door Accent hatchback. It shares the GLS engine and transmissions and will be offered with larger tires.

South Korea's Hyundai keeps improving quality, and its long warranty, which includes 10-year/ 100,000-mile powertrain coverage, continues attracting customers. 

2006 HYUNDAI ACCENT GLS SEDAN 

PRICES: $12,455-$13,305

LIKES: Nicely redesigned. Fuel-stingy. Fairly roomy. Supple ride. Safety features.

DISLIKES: Lazy highway acceleration. Small engine works hard for best performance.