2005 Hyundai Accent 5 Test Drive

Seems like the Accent 5-door should be an all-new car but not so. The 2005 Hyundai Accent 5-door is identical to the 4-door GLS sedan but with the addition of a fifth, hatch-style opening as an alternative to a conventional trunk. All else remains the same, which is to say a small, economical economy car that's fun to drive and comes with a very comforting warranty. Price $12,199. Warranty: powertrain 10 yr/100,000 mi.; total vehicle 5 yr/60,000 mi. EPA fuel mileage: 29 city/33 highway.

First Glance

In the strange world of automobile marketing there is an unspeakable thing known as the "h-word." Do not let your children hear it, never utter it in a public place, snub giggling teenagers who use it when they think no one's listening. This being a Web site I will assume you to be more sophisticated than most, and so will now reveal the h-word in all its horror. Ready? Hatchback! So there, I've said it and I'm feeling better. Obviously the executives at Hyundai were not going to associate themselves with anything so nasty, which explains why our test car is called an Accent5; "5" referring to the five doors. It may even be that Hyundai USA's marketing people still haven't summoned the courage to say Hatchback, for at this writing the Accent5 is only available in Canada. However, on the assumption they will soon come to their senses, and because the 5-door is nearly identical to the 3- and 4-door Accent GLS sold in the US, I beg my southern neighbors to keep reading. After all, if you ignore the doors, the Accent is nice little economy car with a 10-year powertrain and 5-year total-car warranty that should put to rest any fears you may have regarding quality. Furthermore, the Accent is, like most cars of its type, fun to drive.

In the Driver's Seat

Another odd industry habit is the model change, albeit no longer annual. This is either an advantage to the consumer - a better car - or a disadvantage if you feel that constant improvement makes more sense than massive redesign. I mention this because the Accent has fallen behind the competition in one respect and will remain there until the all-new '06 model comes out: ergo, most other cars in its class are easier to access, having switched to "tall car" styling that offers more rear seat legroom and larger door openings along with higher seat placement. But let's assume those matters don't concern you, in which case you'll find little to complain about when sitting up front, for leg and head room is decent, seats are comfortable, and sightlines (the ability to see clearly) are excellent. The latter is one reason why the Accent is a pleasure to drive, as sightlines improve safety and make slotting into small spaces effortless. Instruments are clearly read in the Accent5, temperature and radio controls are kept simple and within reach. Seats are manually adjusted but the steering tilt adjuster requires too much muscle. Power windows, mirrors (heated), remote door locks, and side airbags are standard.

On the Road

If I seem to have been a bit nasty when referring to the Accent's design, let me rectify this somewhat by repeating one of its virtues: the Hyundai Accent is a fun car to drive. Our partners at Edmunds were critical of its handling and "buzzy" engine but I disagree and so did our Robert Bowden when he tested one last year. Because of its size, quick and responsive steering, and 4-wheel-independent suspension, the Accent is a car you can throw around by the seat of your pants. That, by my standards, is what fun driving's all about. As for the engine being buzzy I'll admit it is loud when under acceleration but it's a sound I associate with small sports cars. At 104 hp and 106 lbs/ft. of torque, the 1600 c.c. 4-cylinder engine provides spirited performance with fuel-sipping mileage. If I may be forgiven for reviving an ad headline I wrote eons ago: "it hugs the road, not your wallet." Colleague Colin Hefferon felt the 5-speed manual transmission was "notchy," though it slots into each gear directly. On the highway the engine quietens to a purr and as I've also tested an Accent with automatic I can assure you it performs well either way. Which should please the older drivers who favor this car in my neck of the woods.

Journey's End

You'll note that I've avoided the dreaded h-word, though in my view there is no better configuration for a family car than a hatchback; the versatility and convenience exceeds that of a sedan. That's especially true with small and compact cars where maximizing space is essential, thus the Accent5 is a better proposition than an Accent 4-door. But you'll note that it looks exactly like the sedan. The hatch cutline and the addition of a rear window wiper are the only clues until you open that fifth door and gaze into the voluminous cargo hold. Considering the Accent5 is priced only $200 more than the GLS, it leaves me dumbfounded that Hyundai USA hasn't yet added the car to its vehicle list, especially when the addition of the fifth door gives new life to a line that is due to be replaced in less than a year. Meanwhile, for those of you south of the border, consider this review an endorsement of the Accent sedan you can purchase today. It's fun, it's frugal, it's protected by that fantastic warranty. It is also cramped in the back seat unless the front seat occupants are short, and without that hatch, trunk room is only adequate. As for the letter "h," it also stands for Hyundai. Feel free to repeat it in good company.