Small cars are popular again, and the reasons are obvious. The economy is chugging along, but some prominent companies are hinting at labor cuts, the emigration of jobs continues, and gas prices remain volatile. And before you start thinking that buying a domestic is the patriotic thing to do, consider that the
is dead. That puts all
, regardless of origin, on an equal playing field.
. With a base price of about $12,000 and EPA-estimated fuel economy stretching toward 40 miles per gallon, this little Korean import may be just the ticket for belt-tightening times. Or maybe not, considering that more spacious and more powerful cars like the
comes in the same package (with the same warranty), albeit with a sportier feel and a less generic style. In the broad small/compact car segment, the 2006 Hyundai Accent has plenty of competition.
But only Hyundai (and Kia) offers the lowest price combined with that unbeatable powertrain warranty. That puts 10-years or 100,000-miles of worry at Hyundai’s doorstep, and in these hectic and complex times, any buyer should find that attractive.
EnginePower for the 2006 Hyundai Accent comes from a 1.6-liter, 16-valve, dual overhead cam four-cylinder engine that features continuously variable valve timing. Horsepower tops out at 110 at 6,000 rpm and torque reaches 106 lb.-ft. at 4,500 rpm. That abundant power is delivered to the front wheels through a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic.
FeaturesMost buyers considering an economy car expect they’ll get a bare-bones model with everything but the tires and steering wheel reserved for the options list. That’s not the case with the 2006 Hyundai Accent, which comes in one well-equipped trim, the GLS. Included as standard equipment are body color door handles, bumpers, and mirrors; power steering; a four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission; antilock disc brakes; six airbags; and front and rear fold-down armrests – several of these are fairly uncommon features for this class. Also featured are dual illuminated vanity mirrors, a tilt steering wheel, and an eight-way manual adjustable driver’s seat.
Options Even with its long list of standard features, some buyers will desire a little something extra with their 2006 Hyundai Accent, such as a four-speed automatic transmission or air conditioning. There’s also a Premium Sport Package that includes power door locks with keyless entry, power windows, power heated mirrors, air conditioning, and 15-inch alloy wheels with 195/55 Kuhmo tires.
InteriorDesigners have made the interior of the 2006 Hyundai Accent a pleasant, if not plush place to travel. Hard, low-gloss plastics cover the surroundings, though durable cloth fabric covers the seats and a nice mesh headliner is fitted overhead. Radio and climate control buttons are within easy reach of the driver and, when equipped, switches for power features are logically placed on the door panel.
The rear seat splits and folds allowing for access to and expansion of the 12.4-cubic foot cargo area. Additional storage includes five cupholders and pockets located on the seatbacks and doors.
Fuel Economy When equipped with the five-speed manual transmission, the 2006 Hyundai Accent weighs in at 2,366 lbs. and achieves an EPA-estimated 32 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Swapping in the four-speed automatic brings the curb weight to 2,403 lbs. and adjusts fuel economy to 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.
Comfort Front and rear seats in the 2006 Hyundai Accent are a bit on the stiff side, but they’re supportive and fairly comfortable. All five passengers get their own adjustable headrest, and fold-down armrests are included with the rear split bench seat and the driver’s bucket. Unfortunately, door armrests and window sills are covered in hard plastic. Overall interior room is adequate but not generous. Rear seat passengers suffer from a lack of foot, leg, and headroom. When front seat passengers slide forward to increase rear seat room, they in turn end up banging their knees against the hard dashboard.
Ergonomics Basic, simple cars should have basic, simple controls, and that’s just what the 2006 Hyundai Accent delivers. The climate control system consists of three rotary knobs for temperature, fan speed, and air flow direction. An equally intuitive audio system is located just above, marked with clear buttons and two knobs, one for power/volume and the other for tuning/audio adjustments.
Stereo One standard feature that buyers should be pleased to find on every 2006 Hyundai Accent is the 172-watt audio system. The stereo uses six speakers to provide surprising sound quality for a base unit in a sub-$12,000 car. A single-disc CD player is also standard. However, buyers looking for additional watts and more CD slots will have to venture into the aftermarket, as the Hyundai Accent’s options list is devoid of any audio upgrades.
Safety Each 2006 Hyundai Accent comes standard with a total of six airbags, including two front, two front side, and two full-length side curtain airbags. In addition, all Accents come with four-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution, three-point seatbelts for all five passengers, and front and rear crumple zones.
StylingDepending on your perspective, the 2006 Accent is Hyundai’s take on the redesigned Kia Rio, or vice versa. Regardless, the Accent got the short end of the stick when it came to styling. Whereas the Rio has a bit of flair, the little Hyundai is rather boring. Up front are a small grille with chrome accents and a black fascia insert below the body-color bumper. Along the side, the 2006 Hyundai Accent features indents filled with body-color moldings and a rather expansive greenhouse. The rear incorporates simple red and white taillights, and a trunk lid with a very slight, integrated spoiler.
WarrantyLike all Hyundai models, the 2006 Accent is backed by one of the automotive industry’s best warranties. That includes five years or 60,000 miles of basic coverage, ten years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage, and seven years and unlimited mileage corrosion protection. As an added bonus, five years/unlimited miles worth of roadside assistance is tossed in for good measure.
SuspensionTo control the ride, Hyundai has outfitted the 2006 Accent with a MacPherson strut suspension in front and a torsion beam axle in the rear, with stabilizer bars included as standard fare. A power rack-and-pinion steering system with a tight turning radius makes U-turns a cinch, and four-wheel disc brakes ensure proper stopping power. Also included in the base price is an antilock brake system with electronic brake-force distribution.
Pricing
Pricing has not officially been released for the 2006 Hyundai Accent, but officials at a recent press launch suggested that the base sticker price will be $11,995. A $495 destination charge is included.
Competitors
The fuel-efficient, compact car segment is growing and will soon be home to new models like the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, and Nissan Versa. But, for now the 2006 Hyundai Accent’s available competitors include the Chevrolet Aveo, Kia Rio (with which the Accent shares its platform), Scion xA, Scion xB, Suzuki Reno, and the Toyota Echo.
Photos courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
