Hyundai vehicles have been dramatically improved over the past few years. The Hyundai Accent sedan was redesigned for 2006, and this past spring an attractive coupe joined the lineup, adding style, sophistication, and content than ever before.

While the sedan brings some suave to the entry-level family segment, the coupe is clearly seeking street cred, offering hip accessories ranging from a strut-tower brace to faux carbon-fiber trim. Think of it as inexpensive canvas for the Fast & Furious.

This latest generation of Accents is built on a more substantial platform. They are slightly larger and are notably better cars than the previous generation. Hyundai is clearly moving up-market, and the Accent is a viable alternative to the recently introduced Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, and Nissan Versa subcompacts.

Power comes from a clean and sophisticated 1.6-liter double overhead-cam engine, featuring variable valve timing and delivering more power than the Chevrolet Aveo or Scion xA. The environmentally friendly Accent is an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle, or ULEV, and rates 37 mpg on the EPA Highway scale.

What's more, Accent delivers a generous list of safety features. Six airbags (front, seat-mounted side-impact, and side-curtain) are standard on all models; antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution are optional on the sedan and standard on the sporty SE coupe. The Accent and the related Kia Rio are among the least expensive cars on the market with these important safety features.

Based on our impressions, the Hyundai Accent should be considered alongside models from more established players. A generous five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty with roadside assistance and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty make the Accent a good deal for anyone who does not want to buy a used car and intends to keep the vehicle for an extended period of time.