EDMUNDS.COM 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
A decent buy for those determined to own a brand-new car with full-warranty coverage, though we''d encourage prospective owners to shop the used car market before closing the deal.
Pros
Excellent warranty, low price, nicely appointed interior, solid build quality, smooth ride.
Cons
Weak tires, low handling limits, can''t get cruise control or antilock brakes.
What''s New for 2004
Side-impact airbags are now standard equipment on all models. A GT version of the hatchback is now available that adds performance features like a sport-tuned suspension and larger wheels and tires.
Overview
Introduction:
Originally introduced in 1995, the Accent surprised people (our staff included) with its solid construction and decent equipment list for a vehicle positioned at the bottom end of the economy car segment. It was thus a welcome replacement for the unfortunate Excel that preceded it. Hyundai redesigned the Accent for the 2000 model year, and our experience has shown that this car, too, would be a decent buy for those seeking basic transportation. It goes about its business in an orderly fashion and doesn''t annoy the driver with grievous deficiencies or unpleasant surprises. A top-notch warranty doesn''t hurt either; like all Hyundais, this one is backed by a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage and five years of roadside assistance. Of the entry-level economy cars on the market today, the Accent is probably the most likable -- it''s more refined than the Kia Rio and it''s a better value than the Toyota Echo. If you''re convinced that a gently used import -- like Hyundai''s Elantra or more obvious choices like the Civic, Corolla, Sentra or Protege -- won''t do, you could certainly do worse than an Accent.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The Accent is available either as a two-door hatchback or four-door sedan. The hatchback is offered in three levels of trim -- base, GL and GT -- while the sedan comes in GL trim only. The base hatchback comes with 13-inch steel wheels, body-side moldings, a cassette player, a rear defroster, power steering, variable intermittent wipers and a single-piece folding rear seat. Options include air conditioning and an adjustable center armrest. GL sedans and hatchbacks offer air conditioning, seat-bottom tilt and adjustable lumbar support for the driver, a center armrest, a tachometer, a digital clock, upgraded carpeting, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, tinted glass, a remote trunk-hatch release and, on the hatchback GL only, a rear wiper. The new GT hatchback offers air conditioning, 14-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension, cloth sport seats, front foglamps, a rear spoiler and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. All Accents can be equipped with floor mats, a rear spoiler, mudguards or a cargo net for the trunk.
Powertrains and Performance:
Hyundai offers one engine for the Accent -- a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder that makes 104 horsepower and 106 pound-feet of torque. The base Accent is available with only a five-speed manual transmission, but the GL and GT can be equipped with the manual or a four-speed automatic. We''ve tried both transmissions and have found them equally acceptable in their operation -- if you drive in an area with heavy traffic, we''d recommend the automatic. Mileage is rated at 28 city/36 highway with a manual and 25/35 with an automatic -- these numbers are better than the Rio''s but not as good as the Echo''s.
Safety:
The Accent offers standard side airbags, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and child-seat anchors in the backseat. Antilock brakes are not available. In government crash testing, the sedan earned four out of five stars for driver and front passenger protection in frontal impacts. Side-impact tests resulted in three stars for front passenger protection and only two stars for rear passengers (the Accent tested did not have side airbags).
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Interiors feature a highly legible instrument panel and a center stack with straightforward climate and radio controls. In GL and GT models, the driver seat features height and lumbar adjustment, as well as a fold-down armrest -- all are thoughtful touches on a car in this price range. The hatchbacks offer 16.9 cubic feet of luggage capacity with the backseat in use.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Along with passable acceleration, the Accent provides a fine ride, and its small size makes it easy to maneuver in crowded urban areas. But don''t go looking for revelations in handling when the road turns twisty. The Accent''s base tires are the smallest on any production vehicle sold in the U.S. market, and neither they nor the suspension deal well with quick transitions -- resulting in limited grip and considerable body roll.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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