Vehicle overview
Shopping for a small, affordable commuter car is more fun than it used to be. Do you want a subcompact hatchback that can haul lots of gear? Or perhaps you’d rather have one with a really nice interior and lots of amenities. Or maybe you just want to maximize your fuel economy. There’s now a pint-size sedan or hatchback to satisfy nearly every taste. Within the traditional subcompact class, the 2017 Hyundai Accent is a fine option for buyers who want a little of everything.
Driving
Certainly the most striking thing about driving a 2016 Hyundai Accent is its relative quickness compared with other cars in the subcompact class. Its 1.6-liter engine responds energetically when you hit the gas pedal, and there’s plenty of power on tap for relaxed highway merging and passing maneuvers. Under hard acceleration, the engine remains smooth but can get rather noisy. Both the manual and automatic transmissions make good use of the engine’s resources, but unless you’re particularly fond of manual transmissions, it’s hard to beat the convenience of the smooth-shifting six-speed automatic.
