Hyundai Reina

Overview

To make its portfolio slightly more diverse, Hyundai has recently come up with all new Reina – a new compact sedan, to take on the increasing demand of entry-level family-oriented cars. Positioned below the Accent as a slightly more affordable car, the Reina has got all the practical aspects right. The new compact sedan from Hyundai is being sold in a single petrol engine option with two gearbox choices.

Interior & Features

The Hyundai Reina follows the no-frills approach executed on the exterior in the cabin as well. Yes, it feels fresh with the dual tone black and beige upholstery, however, the overall layout and lack of many modern features make it feel pretty basic.

The steering wheel is an all-new unit with a simple yet pretty informative instrument console behind it rounds up the driver’s cockpit. The center console lacks the youthfulness of the modern waterfall like ones which we have seen on other new generation Hyundais. Instead, here in the Reina, you do get a wider theme for the center console, which integrates a simple 1-DIN music system with controls for AC below it. The prominent chrome line at the center of the dashboard is the most standout design element in the whole cabin, which otherwise looks very basic.

However, given its large dimensions, the Reina is pretty spacious, with ample amount of legroom, head room, shoulder room and knee room for five full-sized adults.

Exterior

While all the new Hyundai offerings globally are great lookers, the same cannot be said about the Reina. It lacks the ‘wow’ factor seen in new generation Hyundai vehicles and lacks the modernity feel, which is quite evident from its too plain and boring design.

At the front, the Hyundai Reina does get the new cascading-effect grille seen on the all-new Accent sedan and other new generation Hyundais. However, the headlamps, as well as front bumper, have got too simple layouts, with the former lacking the presence of LED elements. Nevertheless, the Y-shaped haunch on the front bonnet gives a muscular touch to the front fascia.

The side profile of the Hyundai Reina is one of the simplest ones seen on recent Hyundais. Yes, it does feature a couple of prominent lines on the side doors, but they are not enough to make it stand out of the crowd. The lack of alloy wheels, as well as chrome bits, again amplifies its simplistic approach in design. At the rear too, the overall design looks pretty basic with a simply designed boot lid as well as tail lamps.

Ride & Handling

The Hyundai Reina comes with a very simple monocoque frame and a basic suspension setup - MacPherson Strut with Stabilizer at the front and a Coupled Torsion Beam Axle at the rear. Like all the new generation Hyundais, the suspension is not wallow anymore and has got a certain amount of firmness to it.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

For the time being, Hyundai has relied only on one petrol engine for the Reina, which is pretty understandable given the rising popularity of petrol cars. The engine on duty is the same 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine seen on the previous generation Accent. The engine, here in the Reina, pumps out a maximum power output of 95PS and a peak torque output of 134Nm. On offer are two transmission options to choose from – a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic gearbox.

Braking & Safety

Given its entry-level price positioning and basic appeal, it is pretty obvious that the Hyundai Reina skimps out on a number of safety features. However, it is still equipped with basic essentials like dual front airbags as well as ABS with EBD to round off the package.

Verdict

The Hyundai Reina feels like an honest attempt to make the reach of Hyundai in the compact entry-level segment with an affordable price point. It surely misses out on several comfort, convenience, and safety features, which do hamper its modernity. However, it excels well in regular aspects like a spacious cabin and a comfortable ride quality, which makes it one of the most practical sedans for a large family.