Nobody buying a Hyundai Accent will expect sizzling performance, yet the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is surprisingly snappy, even with the automatic transmission. An Accent GLS automatic has no problem keeping up with traffic as long as you stomp on the gas pedal, and it's more than happy cruising at speed on the freeway. We have not had a chance to check out an Accent with a manual transmission but expect it to be more fun to drive.

Hyundai's 1.6-liter four-cylinder is a modern, sophisticated engine with dual overhead camshafts and continuously variable valve timing. This DOHC/CVVT combination helps give the engine a broad power band with high fuel efficiency and low emissions. The engine produces 110 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 106 pound-feet of torque at 4500 rpm.

The EPA's City/Highway fuel economy ratings are 28/34 mpg for the manual, and 27/36 mpg for the automatic or for the Blue model, which is available only with the manual. The automatic does slightly better than the manual on the highway because its overall top gear ratio is numerically lower. In exchange, the stick-shift Accent should deliver snappier throttle response from cruising speeds. The Blue edition achieves its fuel economy rating by virtue of different gear ratios than the other manual-transmission Accents.

The sedan's ride is on the soft side. The power assisted rack-and-pinion steering provides reasonable feedback and the handling proved to be acceptable on some winding mountain roads near San Diego. Overall, the driving characteristics and performance make this a commuter car rather than a long distance cruiser.

The SE coupe is more stiffly sprung than the GS coupe or GLS sedan, and its front anti-roll bar is beefed up to 24 mm, versus the 21mm bar on the GS and GLS. And the SE's tires have stiffer sidewalls and wider treads, which makes for a firmer ride but more responsive handling. The SE's suspension makes it more resistant to body roll so it leans less in corners than the other models.

Four-channel, four-sensor ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) is available on some models. ABS allows the driver to maintain steering control in an emergency braking situation by preventing wheel lockup. EBD improves stability in hard braking situations by balancing brake force front to rear.