Hyundai Accent vs. Hyundai Reina

The Hyundai Accent and Hyundai Reina are two of the best practicars for sale today. Practical cars (or practicars) are sedans, hatchbacks, or cars that afford buyers decent performance, admirable fuel efficiency, and enough room for the family at friendlier rates. 
The Accent and Reina offer greater value and affordability than larger compact sedans like the Hyundai Elantra or Honda Civic, making them a popular choice for mainstream car buyers.
Since we’re talking about two Hyundai vehicles that are essentially similar in size, this begs the question: Which is better among these two practicars? Is it the Hyundai Accent with its available turbo diesel engine? Or is it the Hyundai Reina and its fuel-sipping 1.4-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine?
 

Hyundai Accent – Platform and Powertrain

The fifth-gen Hyundai Accent arrived in the Philippines in 2019. Unlike the old model, the fifth-gen Accent is riding on the new Hyundai-Kia K2 platform, capable of accommodating a longer wheelbase from 2,500 mm to around 2,760 mm. 
The fifth-gen Accent is a tad bigger than the old model. It measures 4,440 mm long, 1,729 mm wide, and has a 2,600 mm wheelbase, more extensive in all aspects than the fourth-gen Accent.
The Hyundai Accent is also unique as it offers an available 1.6-liter CRDi engine with variable geometry turbocharging (VGT). It pumps out 126 horsepower and 260 Nm of torque. You can also get the gasoline variant with a 1.4-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine with a dual variable valvetrain (CVVT). It produces 99 horsepower and 132 Nm of torque.
All Hyundai Accents are front-wheel drive and are available in sedan and hatchback body styles. You can choose between a 6-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual for the transmission. It also has electric power steering to offer a lighter steering feel.
 

Hyundai Reina – Platform and Powertrain

The Hyundai Reina came to Philippine shores in 2019, about the same time as the fifth-gen Accent. It rides on Hyundai-Kia’s PB platform for B-segment vehicles, capable of accommodating wheelbases from 2,500 mm to 2,650 mm. The Hyundai Reina measures 4,300 mm long, 1,700 mm wide, and has a 2,570 mm wheelbase.
Based on those numbers, the Hyundai Reina is a smaller vehicle than the Hyundai Accent, even though both cars are competing in the same sub-compact segment.
And unlike the Accent, the Hyundai Reina is only available with a single gasoline engine option. It has a 1.4-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine with 94 horsepower and 132 Nm of torque. Interestingly, the Accent’s 1.4-liter gas engine has five more horsepower than the Reina’s while producing the same amount of torque.
The Hyundai Reina is front-wheel drive and is only available as a sedan. It comes with either a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission with a short-throw shifter. The latter offers a sportier driving feel with its nimble gear changes.
 

Hyundai Accent vs. Hyundai Reina: Features and Equipment

The Hyundai Accent has power windows, power side mirrors, and a 3.8-inch LCD stereo with RDS and aux-in/USB connectivity. It also has manual aircon controls and rear air vents for backseat passengers.
Meanwhile, the Hyundai Reina has a single-DIN stereo with a 3.5-inch SEG LCD screen. It also has a 2.8-inch LCD screen in the instrument cluster. It has power front windows (with manual rear windows like early models of the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 GLX) and manual controls for the air conditioning system.
 

Fuel Economy

One of the most critical aspects of a practicar is fuel economy. In this regard, the Hyundai Reina delivers a maximum of 25.8 km/liter with the standard five-speed manual transmission. However, the Hyundai Accent diesel with a six-speed manual achieves 29.41 km/liter. The diesel wins in fuel economy, but the gasoline-only Reina remains one the most fuel-efficient subcompact cars in the Philippines.
 

Safety

Both the Hyundai Accent and Hyundai Reina have dual airbags and anti-lock (ABS) brakes. Lower variants of the Accent have no standard airbags.
 

Hyundai Accent vs. Hyundai Reina: Which is the better choice?

It all boils down to pricing. The Hyundai Accent starts from P790,000 to P1,038,000 for the range-topping 1.6 CRDi variant with a 6-speed automatic. But with Automart, a repossesed Hyundai Accent starts from as low as P270,000 to P700,000 for low-mileage units. 
On the other hand, brand new prices for the Hyundai Reina starts from P683,000 to P783,000. If you shop with Automart, you can buy a high-quality, repossessed Hyundai Reina for 30% to 50% off, with prices starting at P260,000 to P360,000. 
Both the Reina and Accent are priced reasonably, but it boils down to how much you can afford and whether if you prefer a smaller subcompact or a slightly bigger variant. You can pay lower by shopping from Automart's lineup of used and repossessed Hyundai Accents and Hyundai Reinas. With Automart, you can drive a better car for less.