![](/images/f69162fbfcafb9d3ed1f63c7aa4241a6ba84864b.jpg)
The Excel won Australia's heart with price and style. The Accent is more expensive and more conservative - but shows Hyundai has learned from its mistakes. It has closed the gap on its Japanese rivals and is now a worthy contender.
![](/images/2fa095c5db7168ab82868d0627ab699a3dfa3877.jpg)
The Accent continues the Excel's ability to provide the space of a larger (read, $20,000-odd) hatchback at a much lower price.
There is also a huge improvement in refinement and on-road manners, with the singular exception of the gearshift quality.
In GS trim the Accent is well-equipped for the extra $3000, but opt for the cheaper $14,990 drive-away version and you'll still be buying a better Hyundai hatch than history indicates was ever likely to happen.
![](/images/0957a86c096003ddca073a53333fe378cb674ac3.jpg)
Cheap price, cheap drive is the usual proposition in small car territory.
Mitsubishi's Mirage has held the top spot for quite a while because it defies this maxim - on the road, it feels like more than $14,990's worth. The Excel didn't - but the Accent certainly does.
Facebook Twitter Instagram