Hyundai Accent named best car for U.S. students

Hyundai Motor Co.'s 2011 Accent has been named the best car for students in the United States and their parents, a leading automotive information provider said Wednesday. According to Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com), the subcompact ranked No. 1 among the five new cars checked in the annual "Back-to-School Cars" review, outscoring such rivals as the Honda Fit, the Ford Focus, the Fiat 500 and the Chevrolet Cruze. It said the Accent puts a lot of equipment into a stylish, roomy package that competes more than favorably with its competitors. The top-notch rating is noteworthy because many students who are looking to buy their first cars and parents who will often fund those purchases frequently check the Back-to-School Car list as reference. A good review can boost sales in the coming months. The selection is based on experts' examination of driving safety, price and versatility. Points are also given for reliability, fuel-efficiency, good driving experience, design and low ownership costs. Among the five best used cars checked, the 2007 Sedona minivan, made by Hyundai's affiliate Kia Motors Corp., ranked third among the five cars examined that included such models as the Suzuki SX4 and Chevrolet HHR.