1998 Hyundai Accent Review

Economy cars once resembled shoe boxes, had a stiff ride and slow, noisy acceleration. The 1980s Hyundais were such cars, but that's history. Even Hyundai's 1998 entry-level Accent looks slick and is fairly sophisticated. Its all-independent suspension provides a decent ride, and acceleration generally is lively.
A fair amount of tire and road noise is noticeable with the radio off, but the Accent's surpisingly roomy interior is pretty quiet.

Even the car's four-cylinder engine doesn't get too loud when pushed hard, thanks to noise-reducing roller-type rocker arms and needle bearings that minimize engine friction and noise.

The 1998 Accent coupes have been slightly restyled at the front and rear for a sleeker appearance, and the sedan gets a new hood, trunk lid and headlights. Noise and vibration have been reduced from 1997 levels.

The front-wheel-drive Accent delivers high fuel economy and doesn't suffer from the indifferent constructon of 1980s Hyundais, which fell apart quickly and gave this South Korean automaker a bad reputation.

Economy with the five-speed manual transmission is an estimated 28 m.p.g. in the city and 36 on highways. The figures are 27 and 35 with the $775 four-speed automatic.

The Accent comes as a two-door hatchback coupe or four-door sedan. Base prices range from $9,099 for the L coupe to $10,699 for the sporty GSi coupe, which replaces last year's GT model. The GL sedan stickers at $10,299.

The manual transmission is standard, and the automatic is $755 extra for all models except the L coupe.

Opt for the automatic. The manual shifter has a balky linkage that doesn't allow fast, accurate shifting. The automatic saps some power, but shifts smoothly.

The 105-horsepower GT model has been dropped, leaving Excel models with a 1.5-liter, 92-horsepower four-cylinder with a single overhead camshaft and three valves per cylinder, instead of the usual two.

The Accent only weighs about 2,100 pounds, so the high-revving engine provides lively acceleration--at least up to highways speeds. The 65 to 75 m.p.h. passing times are slow. And my test car's engine was turning over at a fairly high 3,200 r.p.m. at 65 m.p.h. in overdrive fifth gear.

There's considerable front-end judder when trying to accelerate quickly from a standing start on slippery roads, but no traction-control system is offered to eliminate that behavior.

The Accent's 94.5-inch wheelbase is short, but the supple suspension soaks up bumps well. The power rack-and-pinion steering is quick and accurate, but overly light at highway speeds. Also, some bumps are fed into the steering system and cause the steering wheel to occasionally judder.

Handling and braking are generally good, but skinny tires discourage spirited driving with most Excels.

The GSi does best because it has a sport-tuned suspension and slightly wider tires on alloy wheels--along with a rear spoiler and integrated fog lights.

The Accent's front seats have good side support, but may be too firm and flat for some motorists. Gauges are easily read, but shorter drivers may find that the high, fixed steering wheel takes getting used to.

Controls have a nice feel, but the front door lock buttons are too far back on the door panels.

There's decent room up front, and even the coupe's rear seat is no afterthought; it allows comfortable seating for two 6-footers, although there is no head room to spare for such occupants. Visibility is good from the driver's seat.

The roomy trunk's low, wide opening makes it easy to load cargo. Rear seatbacks flip forward to enlarge the cargo area, but they don't sit flat after being flipped forward.

The Accent is one of the best entry-level cars, although it lacks the reliability track record of some rivals.