In 2-months I have covered 2500 miles in my new Accent MVI, overall my impression of the car is good. Compared to my old shape 1.3 Accent the new model is much more refined, yet retains the best features of the old. For the price it is hard to beat, compare the price and you will be looking at much smaller models from other companies.

I am just over six foot tall, yet this car has plenty of room for the driver and passengers alike (although for me the lumbar support is too low so I have to adjust it to the fully off position *see note at bottom). The passenger seat quickly moves forward to allow access to the rear seats, but the best bit is it goes back to the original position, unlike the old model that had to be re-adjusted each time!

The boot size is important for carrying all my kit for work, and the Accent does not disappoint, the boot is only slightly smaller than the Astra. The boot is now lined unlike my old Accent that had the wiring loom visible in the boot. A nice touch is the hooks on either side of the boot that take shopping bag handles, thus keeping the bag upright and stopping the bag sliding about.

The engine performance is good, it certainly surprises other drivers when taken towards the 5000rpm mark (red line is 6500rpm), and yet it potters around town without needing too many gear changes. The fuel economy is good I usually get around 38mpg without trying.

The road holding is really good, (especially compared to the old Accent) I would class this as a drivers car as handling, control, ride, and noise levels are superb. I don’t like white dials normally but these are easy to read in daylight, and are pleasing to view at night with a lovely green “glow” that is easy to read without being distracting (I drove a Renault Megane with white dials that glared at night).

The car is let down slightly by the gearbox that can make first gear selection a battle of wills sometimes, and windows
that rattle if in any mid-position, although fully up or fully down is fine.

*Note
I have now HAD to sell the Accent.... Why because having had three days of 4-hour round trips the seat started to cripple my back. On the first day I was in pain, on the second agony, and by the third I knew the car had to go! After this I could only stand being in the drivers seat for 10-minutes. Two days later and facing a 500 mile drive I had to hire a Ford Focus for fear of permanent back injury, and guess what I managed a 10 hour pain free drive in one hit. The Accent has now gone I am glad to say (despite losing £2000). PS I have now seen other reports of such problems on the internet!!!