Hyundai Accent

• The 1.5L petrol 4-cylinder, with out of 115 hp of power and 144 Nm of torque. Sufficient for city driving with smoothness and responsiveness. The engine feels comfortable in traffic, handling stop-and-go without complaint.

• The 6-speed automatic transmission is smooth, with no jerky shifts or hesitation. It keeps the engine in its efficiency sweet spot most of the time. Real-world fuel economy sits around 18.5 km/litre, though you will see 20+ km/litre on highway driving with lighter loads. In the city, it may drop.

• Dimensions are understandably compact,  4,535mm in length, 1,765mm wide, 1,475mm tall, with a 2,670mm wheelbase. The small size makes the Accent genuinely easy to move through crowded places, and quick parking.

• The 45-litre fuel tank means frequent stops at the pump if you are doing long highway drives, but for city use, it is perfectly adequate for a week of commuting.

Some limitations

• The engine has a narrow power band. Push it hard, and it sounds strained, because it is not a car you are going to enjoy driving fast.

• Being a compact sedan means the ground clearance is modest at around 160mm. Speed bumps are manageable, but you would not be exploring rough roads.

• The steering is light and easy but lacks feedback. It is functional, not engaging.

• Over rough terrain, broken pavement, or severe speed bumps, you will feel the impacts more than in more expensive cars. The suspension absorbs but does not isolate. Again, you must keep the expectation moderate at this price.

• Steering is light and responsive, as much as parking feels easy, and so does driving on crowded city roads. It does not have much weight or feedback, so you won't feel connected to the road, but thats not the Accent's purpose.

• Road and wind noise are noticeable at highway speeds. It's not loud, but quieter than you would find in more expensive sedans. The engine noise is present when accelerating, particularly when pushing the small-displacement engine.

• This is visible through the softer tuning of the suspension. On smooth roads, the ride is quite comfortable. Highway driving is relaxed; you don’t need to push a lot.

• The compact wheelbase and short overhangs make the Accent feel nimble in traffic. It is genuinely easy to thread through congested streets.

Some compromises

• Long highway drives will reveal the modest sound insulation. Plan for some background noise.

• The suspension, while comfortable, is not designed for spirited driving. Push harder, and it gets busy.

• Visibility is good, but the small footprint means some blind spots around the rear corners.

• The 8-inch touchscreen is standard on most trims with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It responds quickly, and the interface is intuitive. The 5-inch display on the base trim feels small, but if you are stepping up to mid-range or higher, the 8-inch is worth it.

• Climate control is manual on base trims, automatic dual-zone on higher variants. The AC works effectively in Saudi heat. Rear AC vents cool the back seats decently.

• Seating is comfortable and surprisingly offers sufficient legroom. The fabric upholstery on base trims is durable and practical. Mid-range trims upgrade to slightly nicer materials, while the seat support is adequate for daily commuting, though longer drives might make you notice the modest padding. For the driver seat height adjustment is offered as standard on most trims.

• Inside the cabin, there is enough storage to carry all your stuff, and you won’t feel out of space, like cup holders are deep enough for actual use. The door pockets hold phones and wallets. Since this is also a family sedan, the boot of 305 litres is good enough to take care of daily needs, and easily handles weekly shopping and a couple of weekend bags.

• Power windows are standard all around, and push-button start and smart entry arrive on mid-range trims. Keyless entry is basic but functional on lower variants.

• The power sunroof on mid-range and higher trims genuinely opens up the cabin and makes it feel airier. It is a nice addition without being essential.

Limitation

• Interior plastics are functional but noticeably hard, but then that is just fine for the price. It is an honest material choice, durable and wears well, does not creak, but it does not feel premium.

• The infotainment system on base trims lacks Android Auto, which feels like an unnecessary omission.

• Storage compartments are practical but limited. There is no deep cabby storage as you get in higher-segment cars.

• Wireless charging on top trims is nice, but not standard across the range.

• The dual front airbags are standard, with multiple airbags (side and curtain) on higher trims. That is certainly useful protection in the most common accident scenarios.

• The ABS with electronic brake-force distribution helps prevent the wheels from locking during emergency braking. Vehicle stability control is useful when you have to avoid skids on slippery roads. Hill-Start Assist is another feature that helps in the Kingdom's varied topography.

• Tire Pressure Monitoring System alerts you to underinflated tyres, important in Saudi heat, where pressure changes frequently.

• Rear parking sensors and a backup camera are standard on most trims, making tight parking less stressful. The camera display integrates into the infotainment screen. ISOFIX child seat anchors are included on most variants.

What is standard

ABS and EBD across all trims. Electric parking brake. Three-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners. Engine immobiliser.

Do keep in mind 

• The Accent has not been independently crash tested yet by Euro NCAP or similar programs for the latest generation. The older model received decent ratings, but up-to-date testing data is not available. That said, Hyundai's safety engineering is proven across its range.

• The focus is on basic crash protection and driver assistance rather than advanced autonomous safety features. Forward collision warning is not available.