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It used to be that cars at the cheap end of the price continuum were just cheap. Accoutrements were spartan. Performance was lacking and so was quality. Even currently esteemed names like Civic were once best known for blowing oil-blue smoke rings while rusting before your eyes. However, today's breed of economy car — including the 2007 Hyundai Accent — break from the conventions that defined blessedly extinct nameplates like Chevette, Cricket, F10, Festiva and Justy.
A typical Hyundai
Hyundai continues making a name for itself by building inexpensive vehicles with loads of standard features that are backed by a mind-easing warranty. The manufacturer has found success in every market segment where it plies this high-feature/low-price strategy. The 2007 Accent SE follows Hyundai's proven modus operandi.
There are two Accent two-door hatchback models, the base GS and our as-tested SE — a sportier, better-equipped version. Each rides on a 98.4-inch wheelbase and provides generous room under its bubbly profile. People space is ample, and not just compared to the Accent's immediate competitors (Chevrolet Aveo, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris).
The smallest Hyundai also offers more interior space than the longer-wheelbase Chevrolet Cobalt and Ford Focus coupes.
Lots of features, solid quality
For a window-sticker price of just under $14,000, the Accent SE packs the following between its doors: air-conditioning, antilock brakes, cabin air filter, foglamps, heated outside rearview mirrors, illuminated vanity mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power door locks, power windows, rear window wiper, remote keyless entry, and a 172-watt AM/FM/CD audio system.
This is an impressive list to be sure, but one that is more or less matched by the aforementioned competitors. The Accent, however, one-ups them all by having side curtain airbags standard to go along with its front and side units.
The packaging for all this stuff looks and feels good. The exterior door seams are even, and inside, the quality of the materials and surfacing doesn't scream "You're in a cheap car!" The Accent stayed tightly screwed together during our hundreds of miles, and even the rough roads of Detroit couldn't elicit a rattle or shake lose any trim.
However, all is not perfect in the car's build quality. Obvious variations in door-to-dash gaps show that Hyundai hasn't yet achieved perfection, but this demerit shouldn't knock the SE off anybody's consideration list.
Accenting the performance
The entire Accent line only has one engine, so the SE gets the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder as the GS and four-door GLS. This little 16-valve engine utilizes variable valve timing to help it produce 110 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 106 lb-ft torque at 4500 rpm. A four-speed automatic transmission is optional, but in keeping with the sportier nature of the SE package, our test vehicle was delivered with a five-speed manual.
Up to about 40 mph, the SE fulfills its promise of being sporty. The engine feels perky, and closely spaced gears help the cause. Too bad the shifter is balky. The linkage lacks the precision that the most enjoyable shifters possess.
The four-wheel discs were well up to street-driving duty. On the wet leaves that blanket Detroit's residential roads in the fall, the actuators of the four-channel antilock brakes could be heard clicking away, helping to keep us from sure disaster.
The grippy 205/45VR16 Kumho radials put down a mighty big footprint for a car that weighs in at only 2366 pounds. Grip comes naturally to the SE as Hyundai made significant hardware upgrades including a larger front sway bar (24mm vs. 21mm), stiffer springs (24-percent stiffer in front, 11-percent stiffer in back), revalved front struts and rear shocks, and a unique steering gear. The speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering lets you know what the Kumhos are doing, but don't expect this Korean to speak German — the steering feel isn't that good.
Directional stability is solid at highway speeds, and sweeping around high-speed exit ramps makes you grin as the little car takes a nice set. But the Accent is so loud at 80 mph, you simply won't want to drive it that fast. The car is certainly capable of cruising at 80 and beyond, but don't plan on a comfortable conversation with passengers or enjoying a quiet symphony.
Our ears identified the tipping point at about 75 mph, slower if the weather requires a high blower setting for the A/C. These lower highway speeds suit the Accent SE better than higher, as with only 110 horses at 70 mph you feel like you're running a restrictor-plate NASCAR race — only 120 mph slower. Acceleration above 60 mph in the SE is pokey, and slows as speeds increase.
A good buy or just a cheap car
What is the Hyundai Accent SE? After a week behind the wheel, it does not strike us as a cheap car. It's roomy, solid, well equipped, and offers a decent dollop of true driving fun. Plus there's that Hyundai 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, along with its EPA-estimated fuel economy of 32 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. If you're in the market for a cheap — no, make that "affordable" — vehicle, what's not to like?
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purpose of evaluation.
2007 Hyundai Accent Overview
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2007 Hyundai Accent and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2007 Accent featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2007 Hyundai Accent and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2007 Accent 4.4 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2007 Accent.
Review
First the bad. The hatchback latch spring gets stuck so after pulling it to open the rear door, I have to manually place the latch/handle back in place. I REALLY wish there had been cruise control on the Accent. The good. Everything else. This car has been driven an average 300 miles a day and it has been awesome. Outer paint looks new, engine runs great. Inner trim still looks great (but showing scratches and some fraying on the seats). Just took it to the dealer for a checkup, engine light on issue and an oil change ... $250 total bill. I'll drive it to Florida next week. Averaging 36-37 mpg with the 5 speed, compare that to my 31 mpg avg driving a 2007 Versa 6 speed.
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Available Hyundai Accent 2007 Submodel Types: Sedan, Hatchback
Available Trims: SE, GLS, GS, Sport, GL, Blue, GT, L, Base
Exterior Colors: Century White, Ultra Black, Boston Red, Ironman Silver, Triathlon Gray, Pacific Blue, Clearwater Blue, Misty Beige, Platinum Silver, Charcoal Gray, Mocha Bronze, Ebony Black, Marathon Blue, Ice Blue, Wine Red, Cyclone Gray, Nordic White, Noble White, Dark Sapphire Blue, Apple Green, Coastal Blue , Electrolyte Green, Glacier Blue, Mellow Yellow, Silver Mist, Stormy Gray, Tango Red, Vitamin C
Interior Colors: Gray cloth, Beige cloth, Black cloth, Gray premium cloth, Black premium cloth, Gray, Beige premium cloth, Beige
Popular Features: Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Tire Pressure Warning, Aux Audio Inputs, USB Inputs, Stability Control, Trip Computer, Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Bluetooth, Sunroof/Moonroof
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
