Stiffer gasoline prices will almost surely prompt more small car buyers to consider the redesigned 2006 Hyundai Accent GLS sedan,

but this auto has a lot more to offer than high fuel economy. The compact, front-wheel-drive Accent GLS sedan is bigger and more powerful than its predecessor. It’s almost two inches longer, one inch wider and three inches higher than

the 2005 GLS sedan.

(A sportier two-door hatchback version arrives later in the model year as a 2007 model, but wasn’t available for testing.)

The solidly built sedan’s wheelbase has been stretched 2.3 inches to 98.4 inches to help provide a smoother ride and to improve straight-line stability. And a widened track allows improved handling and a more purposeful-looking stance.

Moreover, the GLS sedan has shaken off its predecessor’s “cheap car” look. It is more smoothly styled, with such items as body color outside door handles, mirrors and bodyside molding help give it an upscale appearance.

The new car has more standard equipment than one might expect for its relatively low prices. It is sold only

in the GLS trim level and has a list price of $12,455 with a 5-speed manual gearbox and $13,305 with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Standard items include supportive front bucket seats, an AM/FM/CD sound system with six speakers, a tilt steering wheel, a tachometer, a manual 8-way adjustable driver’s seat with a fold-down armrest, a center console, intermittent wipers, a rear defroster, illuminated visor mirrors and a split fold-down rear seatback.

Hard-Working Engine

The Accent has a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that generates 110 horsepower, or six more than last year’s engine. It’s sophisticated, with dual overhead camshafts, 16 valves and variable valve timing.

Estimated fuel economy is 32 mpg in the city and 35 on highways with the manual transmission, which needs a more precise shifter, and 28 and 36 with the responsive automatic.

The engine is a high-rev unit that must work hard for the best performance. It’s noisy during the full-throttle operation often needed to stay with fast traffic, but otherwise is generally quiet.

Lazy High-Speed Passing

Performance with the automatic transmission (a 5-speed unit would be more modern) is good in town. But the 0-60 mph run is strictly average at 10.8 seconds, and 65-75 mph passing is lazy. However, steady 70-mph cruising is no problem, and the GLS is quiet for a compact economy car at highway speeds.

The power steering is quick, and the ride is supple over rough streets, although the soft suspension discourages fast driving on bumpy roads. Handling is pretty good with the wider tires if the car isn’t driven too hard, but the thinner standard tires don’t provide as much road grip.

The brake pedal needs a more positive feel, although stopping distances from highway speeds are commendably short.

Fairly Roomy

There is decent space for four 6-footers. Legroom for a tall passenger behind a tall driver is tight, but that isn’t a problem for a rear passenger behind a tall front occupant. A fold-down rear center armrest containing cupholders is best used to occupy that portion of the back seat because it’s to stiff for comfort.

Gauges are easy to read, and the nicely designed interior has an attractive two-tone color scheme for a more upscale appearance—although some trim is marginal. The driver’s seating position has been raised two inches for the higher viewpoint some drivers prefer, and all-around visibility is good. Sound system controls are conveniently placed high and climate controls are large. There are two 12-volt outlets.

The fairly roomy trunk has a low, wide opening, and seatbacks fold forward to enlarge the cargo area. However, the pass-through opening between the trunk and rear seat area is just moderately large.

Hyundai continues to improve quality, although it has a way to go to command the resale value of Toyota or Honda models. However, its long warranty, which includes 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage, continues to draw customers.