When the Accent was re-designed for 2000, the wheel base was stretched 1.6 inches, and the body grew 1.9 inches wider. Mostly, this resulted in more headroom for the front seats and slightly more legroom in back. With the current Accent's tall ring of windows, large bucket seats, and multi-level console, front-seat riders do not feel squeezed together in a tiny cubbyhole, as they do in some subcompact competitors.Form-fitting front bucket seats feel substantial and supportive. Packed with high-density foam, they feature swoopy indentations and firm side bolsters. These seats move in multiple ways to conform for leg length, seat height, lumbar curve, seatback tilt and headrest position. Also, the driver's seat on GS and GL editions contains a right-side armrest that folds up and out of the way when not needed. Three-point seatbelts adjust for shoulder height at pillar-mounted anchors on each side. Front door panels wiggle in wavy forms and include an integrated armrest and a generous map pocket low near the floor. The instrument panel orients the driver with large gauges set immediately forward of the steering wheel. These consist of a speedometer and tachometer, with flanking dials indicating fuel level and engine temperature. White markings and red needle pointers over a dark gray field assure both an attractive appearance and easy readability. Air vents stand at each side of the instrument panel, and at the middle of the dash a stack of controls for audio and climate systems features large and easy-to-use rotary knobs. The glove box is an ice-chest-size bin that drops down from below the passenger-side airbag, looking as though it could swallow a couple of six-packs of soda. The back bench provides three-point belts and indented spaces for outboard riders, plus a two-point belt on the center hump. On GS and GL models, the seatback splits 60/40 and folds to increase cargo capacity for the flat-floored trunk. The driver's seat is comfortable, and adjusts to fit even a tall frame. High off the floor, it also provides excellent visibility through tall windows all around. All controls are close at head, stand in logical positions and operate easily. The surfaces of the doors and dash, coated in soft-touch synthetic material, feel refined, even sophisticated, which is unexpected for the class.
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