In the world of affordable subcompacts, the Hyundai Accent makes a great choice for those looking for something slightly off the beaten path. Since its introduction to the U.S. back in 1995, the Accent has come a long way in almost every category and is now rivaling its Japanese and American competitors in everything from build quality to available technology. And even though the Accent has grown and developed over the years, it still holds tight to the main virtue that made it popular to begin with—value.

Returning for 2016 largely unchanged, the Accent starts at $14,475, one of the few new cars with a price tag under $15,000. And what do you get for that very attractive price? A lot.

Under the hood, you'll find a 1.6-liter 137 hp 4-cylinder engine linked to the front wheels with your choice of a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. No, it won't get you around the Nürburgring in 7 minutes, but it will give you more than enough power on the highway to overtake that guy driving his luxury crossover 10 MPH under the speed limit. The engine is good for up to 27 mpg city/38 highway, which will make your wallet a lot happier when you stop at the pump.

The Accent will be available in two body styles—a 5-passenger 4-door sedan and a 5-passenger 5-door hatchback. While the hatchback will obviously have more cargo room, the sedan is no slouch either. Pop open the sedan's trunk and you'll find 13.7 cubic feet of cargo room, serious space for a subcompact. Go with the hatchback and that number increases to 21.2 cubic feet (47.5 cubic feet with the rear seats down).

New for this year are the SE (sedan) and SE Hatchback trims, which replace the outgoing GS and GLS, respectively. Sticking around is the Sport trim, once again only available as a hatchback.

Jump into the SE and you'll find yourself in an affordable ride with all you need to enjoy your commute. Even in the base model, you get remote keyless entry, power mirrors, 6-speaker SiriusXM satellite radio with USB and MP3 jacks, cloth seats, tinted glass, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, and power windows. If you choose the automatic transmission, you'll be able to add a few more comforts with the Popular Package, which includes heated side mirrors, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, and steering wheel-mounted controls. You can also select the Style Package (but only in conjunction with the Popular Package), adding a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, premium cloth seats, 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, rear disc brakes, and projector headlights.

If you decide you'd rather have the SE Hatchback, you'll get everything on the SE, minus the optional Popular Package and Style Package. The SE Hatchback, however, does come with standard heated mirrors.

Want a more luxurious hatchback? Step up to the Sport and you'll get all the SE, Popular Package, and Style Package have to offer, standard.

While the Accent may be a budget car, Hyundai sure didn't skimp on safety features. Boasting six airbags (including side-curtain airbags), front seatbelt pretensioners, and active front head restraints, the Accent works hard to keep you safe in the cabin. It also sports such features as traction control, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, and a brake assist system that applies maximum force to the brakes in emergencies.

If you're looking for an inexpensive, economical car to get you around, take a serious look at the Accent. It get you where you need to go comfortably and on a budget, and, thanks to Hyundai's standard 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty with 5 years of roadside assistance, it'll do so while granting you maximum piece of mind.