2012 Hyundai Accent GS

The 2012 Accent is Hyundai's subcompact, offered as a sedan and a hatchback, and it's the car you cross-shop with the Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta. It's a light, nimble little car that feels eager around town, though the engine needs revs to get going on the highway. The cabin is simple but well laid out, and the hatchback's rear seats fold flat to swallow a surprising amount of cargo. Some owners mention paint that pits on the hood and the occasional electrical glitch, but many report years of trouble-free driving. The GS is the mid-grade Accent hatchback, sitting between the base GLS and the sportier SE, and it's the one that balances price with a few extra conveniences. Under the hood is a 1.6L I4 making 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic that makes the most of the power around town and returns 31 mpg combined. The GS hatchback folds its rear seats flat to open up 47.5 cubic feet of cargo space, which is more than most rivals offer with the seats up.