2002 Hyundai Accent Low pricing with unexpected zippiness. By Bob Plunkett, New Car Test Drive .com

Hyundai hasn't raised the price of the base-level Accent since the end of the last century. Yet this handsome little car gets better every year.

Accent was thoroughly re-designed for model-year 2000 to provide more interior room, a smoother-running powertrain, and better isolation from whatever mechanical noise remained. 2001 brought a bigger, more sophisticated engine for GL and GS models. Horsepower rose 14 percent, and torque 9 percent. Now, for 2002, all GL and GS models come with air conditioning as standard equipment.

Hyundai Accent is protected by one of the best warranties in the business. If you're looking for a new-car experience at used-car prices, then the Accent may be right for you.

The Accent lineup begins with a three-door sedan available in L ($8,999) and GS ($10,249) trim levels. There's also a GL ($10,649) four-door sedan.

L models are powered by a 1.5-liter sohc inline four-cylinder engine with three valves per cylinder, rated 92 horsepower. A five-speed manual is the only transmission available with this engine.

GS and GL models upgrade to a 1.6-liter dohc four-cylinder, with four valves per cylinder and 105 horsepower. The five-speed is still standard, but a four-speed electronically controlled automatic is available for $600.

L buyers can add air conditioning for $750. A $400 option package for GS and GL adds a CD player plus power mirrors, locks, and front windows.