2006 Hyundai Accent from North America - Comments

Car is still too new for anything to go wrong with it, so I'll have to update when and if there are problems.

So far I like the Accent. It can be pretty peppy when you need the extra little power for passing other vehicles. However don't plan on climbing any tall mountains with great ease, as it lacks long term power boost needed when climbing taller hills etc... Just got back from a 2700km road trip with it, and I must say it was a fun car to use for the trip. Very nice ride for a small car, and like I said, it has lots of passing power and very tight on the road (without snow that is). I have driven many different kinds of vehicles for long road trips, and I have to say, aside from it's lack of power climbing steep hills and mountains, this has been one of the more enjoyable trips.

One hardcore negative, and it could be just me, but I felt the car handled really lousy in snow. Even drifts a few inches high seemed to make the car wander. At one point, driving along a lake, with lake effect snow coming off it onto the roadway, very little snow had accumulated on the road surface, yet I was forced to reduce my speed to 60km/h to avoid being "sucked" off the road due to the snow taking the Accents' wheels "curb ward". The most horrible experience I have ever encountered with any vehicle and with such little snow. It could be that I was a little panicked being a brand new car and all, but I don't think so. I prayed to god that by the time I had to travel that part of the highway on the way back, that the snow would be cleared away.

He answered my prayers.

This most likely has to do with your all-season tires vs. the car itself. Get some "performance" snow tires (check out tirerack.com) and you should be fine.

I understand the snow issue. I live in Ohio, and learned quickly the Kumho performance tires on the Accent are NOT designed for snow traction. They may say Traction: AA, but even in wet weather I was very disappointed at how loose the car felt. I have a 2007 3 Door, and so even though it's short wheel base (compared to my previous 1995 Buick) makes it drive funny on slick surfaces, the advantage is that when it gets loose, you can usually predict the skid, and correct it. My old Buick the rear end would swing out, and you weren't sure how far it would pull, good thing it was FWD with ABS, that was a horrible winter car. A suggestion for better winter traction in the accent, is well sipped all season/snow tires, like Firestone FR380, or better Bridgestone Blizzak. Hope this helps.

Well it's a very reliable car for the brakes had save me more than serious situation, the services is pretty cheap and after 1 year of using the price still good in the market of used cars, the car is pretty nice from outdoor, but one problem accured indoor which I see marks all over the plastic from where it comes I don't know??!! else everything is astonishing with that car for 230Km/gallon it's perfect for an A/T gearbox.

I bought a 2006 Accent used after renting one for a 30 day cross country drive. I liked it very much. I was impress for a small car that did not feel small.

The rental had the big alloy wheels and ABS brakes. The gas mileage was excellent. I wish it had cruise control. I like everything about this car.

I bought a used one because the dealer did not have a new one with the same equipment as the rental. The used one had 16,000 miles and still smells new. It came with all the warranties. It had a vibration in the front. The drive axle had to be replaced on warranty. The car is running great, but the ride seems a littler bouncier than the rental. I had a wheel alignment done and the steering became stiff. I had done again and now it is fine. I like this car very much. My son bought a new Elantra. For almost the same money, the Elantra is a better buy.

Sorry guys, as much as I can understand the fact that the size, weight, hight... well all phisics might have a small influence on handling behavior...

But... I do NOT see how a car can be bad in snow...

I would say it is 90% Tires and 10% car...

So my guess is that the stock tires that come with the accent are 4 season tires... that are worthless in snow.

(in my opinion, 4 season tires are worthless everywere... but hey I am a faster then average driver therefor I have high performance summer tires on mags + 4 high quality Winter tires on rims for winter)

(Keep in mind, I live in Quebec where Winter is pretty bad)

I own 2007 Hyundai Elantra and when I first started to drive my car in the snow it did horrible. I put my car in the ditch once and my husband (who is a professional long haul truck driver) put the car in the ditch twice. I ended up putting studded snow tires on the car and my car does great in the snow now. I do have the same brand of all seasons that you have, and I think that they suck. Anyway, you may try to get your tires siped for better traction in the dry months.

For one thing, this is not the elantra section of the site.

Second, if your husband is a professional driver like you say, and he put the car in the ditch twice, perhaps the ditch is where it belongs with the rest of the Hyundi's.