The back of the sedan roof sweeps toward the trailing edge of the trunk lid, giving it almost a coupe-like appearance. Unlike many modern cars, Accent has a generous greenhouse with big windows; blacked-out trim both defines and unifies the side-window opening. This, coupled with a long wheelbase with relatively short overhangs, makes the sedan appear a tad bigger than it actually is.
Overall, the Accent has a pretty, if somewhat ordinary look to it that should not offend anyone. As part of Hyundai's plan, the Accent sedan is more buttoned-down conservative than the bolder Kia Rio, with which it shares its basic construction. We see a hint of Volvo in its nose and maybe a dash of Honda in its rear three-quarter view.
The Accent coupe has a look all its own, though it shares its front fenders and defining character line with the sedan. The differences begin with the bolder two-slot air opening that replaces the sedan's fine-lined horizontal grille and ends with a rounded tail that takes the tentative reverse curve at the base of the sedan's roof, boldly widens it, and fuses it with the horizontally curving quarter panel. The two-door Accent is unashamedly a hatchback, and makes no pretense to a separate trunk lid.
Not surprisingly, then, the coupe is as tall and wide as the sedan, and shares the sedan's 98.4-inch wheelbase, but at 159.3 inches overall it has shed a significant 9.2 inches of rear overhang. The result is one of the cutest little rears we've seen anywhere lately, and a short, sassy profile that looks like it should cost more than it does.
On both coupe and sedan, a roof-mounted micro-antenna is aerodynamic, flexible, and said to improve signal strength.
