The Reina is built according to Hyundai’s signature Fluidic Sculpture 2.0, but without frills like chrome linings.
Competition in the entry-level subcompact sedans segment intensified when the Korean “twins” entered the market early this year.
The Hyundai Reina and Kia Soluto, both made in China, are considered twins since they share the same 1.4-liter engine with either a 5-speed MT or 4-speed AT. The sharing is explained by Hyundai Motor’s 33.88 percent stake in Kia, although each operates independently on a global scale with a separate design workshop, marketing, and branding.
The Korean twins aim to grab market share from the Nissan Almera, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, Suzuki Dzire, and, if possible, the base MT model of the Toyota Vios.
The target market of four-door, front wheel drive, economy cars retailing at less than P700,000 are taxicab operators, service fleets, and ride-sharing services like Grab, as well as first-time car buyers.
Speaking of economy, it is a given that automakers use the same components or parts in several models to cut production costs.
INHERITED WHEELBASE
For example, the Hyundai Reina is built on a wheelbase inherited from the old Accent, the best-selling model of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the Philippine distributor of Hyundai cars and trucks.
But the Reina will not eat into the current Accent’s sales since it is categorized at a less premium level.
The Reina’s 2,750 mm wheelbase is 20 mm longer than the Toyota Vios, which translates into a more spacious interior, especially for rear seat passengers where headroom and legroom are concerned.
Following Hyundai’s signature Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language, the Reina sports the Korean carmaker’s latest hexagonal slatted grille, multi-reflector headlights housed in black, large air intakes, a chunky tail end with rear combination lamps.
The exterior is notable for the absence of chrome trim surrounding the grille, door handles, taillights, or along the beltline. The 14-inch steel rims with plastic hubcaps and the absence of front fog lamps are other signs that the Reina is an entry-level car.
MINIMALIST
The interior is just as minimalist and functional, featuring a conventional instrument cluster with 2.8-inch LCD, hard but not shiny plastic surfaces, urethane steering wheel without audio or cruise controls, a simple 1-DIN AM/FM radio, four speakers (no tweeters), and USB as the only connectivity.
After all, if you are a first-time car buyer with a limited budget or a taxi or service fleet operator, all you need is a four-door car with a cabin that can comfortably and safely transport five persons including the driver, a trunk that can take in large, heavy cargo for trips to the airport or out of town, a reliable, fuel-efficient powertrain and, most important, an affordable price.
At P688,000 for the GL with 4-speed AT and P638,000 for the base 5-speed MT, the Reina fits the bill.
The 1.4-liter MPI (multipoint injection) engine with Dual CVVT technology produces 95 hp and 132 Nm peak torque and is paired with either a 5-speed MT or 4-speed AT.
Its 1.4-liter, inline four, MPI (multipoint injection) Hyundai Kappa engine produces 94 hp and 132 Nm peak torque with a 4-speed AT that shifts smoothly but is naturally geared more towards economy rather than performance.
FUEL EFFICIENT
HARI claims that the Reina averages 25.8 km per liter, based on a fuel efficiency run it conducted in the presence of the Automobile Association Philippines. This average probably refers to highway rather than city driving.
That said, driving the Reina GL is surprisingly pleasant. The driver’s seat is comfy and supportive although its height cannot be adjusted.
The ride is quiet and refined, with no squeaks or rattles even over rough patches that one would expect of an entry-level car made in China.
The Reina handles well on twisting roads and around corners, with little body roll and tire squeal, firm brakes, and minimal road and wind noise. Hydraulic steering and the Accent-derived wheelbase contribute to this characteristic.
A CLASS ABOVE
The Reina’s torsional rigidity is a class above its rivals in the budget-priced subcompact sedan segment. Hyundai motor vehicles are manufactured with steel from Hyundai Steel Company, the world’s second largest EAF (electric arc furnace) steel producer.
The minimalist theme of the Reina’s exterior is continued inside, with a lot of hard (but not shiny) plastic, a 3-spoke urethane steering wheel with no audio controls, and a manual but very strong aircon system.
The Reina also scores an ace when it comes to cargo capacity. Its trunk can swallow up to 475 liters of cargo, more than its competitors except for the Vios.
The air conditioning system is strong, such that the absence of rear air vents is not missed.
Dual SRS airbags, ABS, 5-point seatbelts for all passengers, headlamp levelers, speed-sensing door locks, power windows (whose switches are curiously located in the center stack under the aircon) are standard equipment.
The back seat offers generous headroom and knee room for three, plus a 3-point seatbelt for the middle passenger.
But perhaps what would be most appreciated by Reina buyers is Hyundai’s five-year unlimited mileage warranty—a bonus for a budget-priced subcompact.
Summing up, the Hyundai Reina has all the right stuff for an entry-level subcompact sedan—and then some.
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