2004 Hyundai Accent Review (continued)
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Walkaround

The overall form of the Hyundai Accent is a low-slung wedge topped by a steeply raked windshield and a tall wrap of window glass. There's a fast slope to the front hood and a brief back deck. The three-door model is shaped more like a sedan than a traditional hatchback. Hyundai calls it a hatchback coupe.

The Hyundai Accent benefited from a major facelift for 2003. The new engine hood flows more smoothly into a new front bumper and fascia. New oblong light clusters that blend back around the new fenders flank a new grid-like grille. The new look is at once softer, yet more alert. It puts more expression in the Accent's face, and a cute quality we find appealing. Around back, Hyundai replaced the rear quarter panels, deck lid, tail lights, and bumper for 2003. Again, the overall look is softer, while the taller tail lights suggest action. This new look continues unchanged for 2004.

Interior Features

Hyundai Accent was designed to maximize interior room. Its tall windows, generously sized bucket seats and multi-level console all contribute to an overall impression of spaciousness. Front passengers do not feel squeezed into a tiny cubbyhole as they do in some subcompact cars.

Those form-fitting front bucket seats feel substantial and supportive. Packed with high-density foam, they feature swoopy indentations and firm side bolsters. The driver's seat is comfortable, and adjusts to fit even a tall frame. High off the floor, it provides excellent visibility through those tall windows all around.

The front seats in GL and GT models move in multiple ways to conform for leg length, seat height, lumbar curve, seatback tilt and headrest position. Also, the driver's seat (on GL GT editions) provides a right-side armrest that folds up and out of the way when not wanted. Three-point seatbelts adjust for height. The curvaceous front door panels include an integrated armrest and a generous map pocket low near the floor.

The instrument panel orients the driver with large gauges set immediately forward of the steering wheel. These consist of a speedometer and tachometer with flanking dials indicating fuel level and engine temperature. (The base model omits the tachometer.) On base and GL models, white markings and red pointers over a dark gray field ensure an attractive appearance and easy readability. Accent GT gets fashionable white-faced gauges.

The surfaces of the doors and dash, coated in soft-touch synthetic material, feel refined, even sophisticated, which is unexpected for the class. The GT gets leather coverings for the steering wheel and shift knob.

All controls are close at hand, logical, and easy to operate. Large and easy-to-use rotary knobs for the audio and climate systems are stacked at the middle of the dash. The glove box is an ice-chest-size bin that drops down from below the passenger-side airbag, looking as though it could swallow a couple of six-packs of soda.

The back bench provides three-point belts and bucket-style spaces for outboard riders, plus a two-point belt on the center hump. The seatback splits 60/40 and folds to increase the capacity of the flat-floored trunk.