Faults:

Nothing yet.

General Comments:

I just bought the car on 12/3/2009. It's a GS 2 door hatchback with the premium equipment package. It gives you a lot of value for your money.

It handles much better than my previous car, which was a 2007 Cobalt. The Accent copes with freeway onramps very well and lane changes are easy, without much body roll. Ride motions and rough road surfaces are controlled and allow me to have fun without being jostled or knocked into the armrest. Steering is light and linear without excessive understeer, I get some feedback thru the wheel about what's happening. I grew up driving small sport hatches like the VW GTi and Subaru XT, the aforementioned fun to drive factor is present here as much as it was with those two. The Cobalt...not so much. I could slam the Cobalt a lot more, but this review is about the Accent.

The 5-speed manual has a good feeling and relatively precise shifter with a light clutch pedal that lets the clutch engage smoothly without grabbing or chatter. It has 110 horsepower & 106 ft-lbs of torque, which is darned good for a 96 cubic inch engine. The available power on the road feels like those numbers are correct. The power brakes engage and slow the car down correctly, nothing out of the ordinary there, the brakes are strong & confidence inspiring.

It's easy to park or merge into traffic as the view to the rear isn't blocked by a low roofline or excessive 'b' & 'c' pillar cladding. The 'a' pillar windshield supports are a little hard to see past, but no more so than my Cobalt or any other new car. The headlights illuminate the road pretty well, I don't think I will need to put in brighter bulbs to be comfortable with seeing at night, as I had to last time.

I haven't had the opportunity to check the mileage yet, but I will report back at 5,000 miles.