What's New?
A 3-door hatchback joins the redesigned 4-door sedan, which was introduced in 2006. The hatchback will be offered in entry-level GS and SE models. Both have front-seat-mounted side air bags and roof-mounted side curtain air bags, and the SE has a sport-tuned suspension and standard anti-lock brakes.

Overview
Inexpensive entry-level cars have been a key part of Korean automaker Hyundai's strategy, luring first-time buyers into the Hyundai family. High gas prices have put a new emphasis on the subcompact market, and the venerable Accent enters 2007 facing new rivals from several mainstream Japanese manufacturers, including the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, and Nissan Versa. But with a new version hot off the steel presses, Hyundai's timing couldn't be better.

Both Accent sedan (GLS) and hatchback (GS and SE) models share a 110-hp, 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with continuously variable valve timing, which drives the front wheels via a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission; all are covered by Hyundai's 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The GS hatchback serves as the entry-level Accent; its standard side and side curtain air bags are a rarity in this class. Another unusual feature is the reclining rear seat. The GLS sedan adds a CD player, air conditioning, and, of course, an extra pair of doors. The top of the Accent lineup is the SE 3-door hatchback. Along with power windows, locks, and mirrors; alloy wheels; and 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, the SE gets a sport-tuned suspension with stiffer springs, an anti-roll bar, shock valving, and wider, lower-profile tires. The SE has a distinctly well-balanced and agile feel that's unusual in a car this size. Hyundai offers several dealer-installed performance-oriented accessories including a front strut-tower brace, a B&M sport shifter kit, and AEM short-ram air intake.

The Competition
The Hyundai Accent competes in the Compact Basic segment, which consists of nine models. Buyers in this segment look for fuel economy, reliability, and low maintenance costs, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Avoider Study^SM and the Escaped Shopper Study.^SM

The top sellers in the segment during calendar year 2006, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,^SM were the Toyota Yaris (70,308 units sold in its first year on the market), Chevrolet Aveo (58,244), and Hyundai Accent (34,735). The Hyundai Accent’s 34,735 sales in 2006 represent a decrease of 15.3 percent compared to the previous year. Other models offered in the Compact Basic segment include the Scion xA, Kia Rio , Honda Fit , Nissan Versa , and Suzuki Reno.