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Hyundai Xcent Review
Hyundai is one of the few automobile manufacturers who take customer needs and aspirations very seriously. Launching cars with cutting edge fluidic design or garnishing them with top of the line features, they have managed to get the pulse of Indian market.
It is not only the premium segment which gets all the detailing and attention by Hyundai but also the entry level segment, which has seen many benchmarks. Going by their trend of awarding the Indian customers with the best in class features, Hyundai recently launched the Xcent which is a sedan based on the popular Grandi10 hatchback.
Hyundai Xcent will have a tough responsibility as it carries ahead the legacy set by Accent which was a fine sedan of its time. The new car targets a younger and vibrant clientele who are dynamic when it comes to making choices. It gets the same powertrain as seen in the Grandi10 hatchback. In this review, we shall find out if the new Xcent can take the benchmark further and challenge the stalwarts of Honda Amaze and Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire.
Appearance Exterior
It is based on the Grandi10 hatchback and thus borrows similar looks. It is just an additional boot which makes all the difference. Hyundai’s much acclaimed Fluidic Design language has really worked well on all its cars. However, the Xcent doesn’t look as ‘Wow!’ as other Hyundais in India.
The hexagonal grille is bold in design. The headlights sweep back towards the side as well as on the bonnet making it look large. The lower section of the front bumper has multiple crease lines.
The Xcent too gets machined alloy wheels like the Grandi10. The side profile looks balanced with the additional boot. It does not look as coarse as the Swift DZire. It has a wheelbase of 2425mm which is exactly the same in the hatchback. This effectively means the interior space remains untouched but this time the luggage space has been increased
The new rear end looks smart and crisp with no additional lines. It has been kept clean without giving any fussy design elements. The tail lamps are again similar in design but the reflection shape and style has been changed in the Xcent which makes it look clean.
Appearance Interior
Inside the Xcent’s cabin, nothing has been changed and the reason for not doing so is very simple. This one too bets on great space and features like its sibling.
These seats are adequately cushioned and offer great under thigh, lumbar and back support. The front row seats are extremely comfortable. Even the rear row seats are decent in providing adequate comfort. For taller passengers, the knee room around driver’s seat can feel a bit congested. In the rear section, the legroom and headroom is superb.
The rear AC vents make it even more comfortable for the rear passengers. All four windows drop down completely. The driver’s window has an auto drop down function too where the glass goes down at a single click.
The entertainment system in the Grand i10 is very impressive with amazing audio playback quality, it has four speakers on each doors. Music can be played via the 2-Din integrated entertainment system. It has an optional USB-AUX-in option too. The USB is located at a very convenient position near the central storage space.
The internal trims are completed in 2 tone beige and black colours. The black makes it look premium while the beige contrasts it. The dashboard sees a strong beige panel while the door trims are primarily done in black with only the lower portion being beige.
The glove box has enormous space. It also doubles as a cold storage option. Even in the central console there are numerous storage pockets. It gets two different types of cup holders on the central area with an intermittent rectangular stowage space. The front door pockets are useful too as they offer space to keep essential documents as well as a litre class bottle.
Even the rear door gets a generous door pocket. There is also a back pocket behind the co-driver seat for keeping magazines but the same is not given behind the driver’s seat. The rear boot space too is very grand in nature and can pack in amazing quantities of bags. This space can be increased by collapsing the rear sear bench.
Performance Drive
Hyundai Xcent comes in petrol and diesel engine trims and we chose the diesel version for our first drive review. It was expected that the Xcent too would generate similar figures but then the power has been increased by 1PS and the torque has been bumped up by 20Nm. The 1197cc 3 cylinder diesel engine generates 72Ps of power at 4,000rpm and a torque of 180Nm at 1,750 to 2,500rpm. Automatic transmission is optional only on the petrol variant.
Grandi10 had already impressed us with its amazing performance. Having a pre-conceived notion about the Xcent’s performance we began our drive. This pint 1197cc 3 cylinder engine felt better than that in Grandi10. It jumps to the power band with great ease and maintains high momentum too.
The vibrations levels in the Xcent are even lower than the Grand and the gear shifts too are very smooth. Unlike some other diesel engines, power delivery is very active even at lower engine speeds. It is not fair to compare it with the 1.5L iDTEC engine as both these engines have their own distinct character. The one on Xcent feels very nimble while that on Amaze feels very dominating.
In terms of handling, the Xcent does not disappoint. It manages to hold in tight corners without losing control. Even at high speeds on a straight line, it holds on to the road with great confidence. The driving dynamics of the Xcent is impressive. The length of the car has been increased but then that has not changed the way this one handles.The suspension offers a dampened ride and thus even on rough roads, the Xcent performs good.
Even while manoeuvring it in the city, it feels very convenient. It also gets a reverse parking sensor affixed on the rear view mirror though; it is not convenient to use because of the daylight reflections falling on the rear view mirror.
Tech Specs
| Technical Specifications | |
| Make | Hyundai |
| Model | Xcent |
| Variant | 2nd Gen U2 1.1 CRDi Diesel |
| Engine CC | 1120/3 CYL |
| Power PS/RPM | 72/4000 |
| Torque NM/RPM | 160/1500-2750 |
| Transmission | 5/M |
| Turning radius in M | 4.7 |
| Wheel | |
| Steel | 165/65 R14 |
| Alloy | 175/60 R15 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 3995 |
| Width | 1660 |
| Height | 1520 |
| Wheelbase | 2425 |
| Ground Clearance | 165 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 43 |
| Fuel Efficiency in KMPL | 25 |
Features
| Features | Base | S | SX |
| Immobilizer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Central locking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Front Fog lamp | No | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Defogger | No | Yes | Yes |
| Driver and Passanger airbags | No | No | Yes |
| ABS (Anti-lock braking system) | No | Optional | Optional |
| Alloy wheels | No | Optional | Yes |
| Chrome outside door handles | No | Optional | Yes |
| Turn indicator on ORVM | No | Yes | Yes |
| 2-Tone black and beige interiors | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rear seat center arm rest with cup holder | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leather wrapped steering wheel | No | No | Yes |
| Leather wrapped gear knob with chrome coating | No | No | Yes |
| 2-DIN integrated music system | No | Yes | Yes |
| Steering wheel mounted controls | No | Yes | Yes |
| Electric power steering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Air conditioner | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power windows | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electric folding ORVM | No | Yes | Yes |
| Tilt steering | No | Yes | Yes |
| Driver seat height adjuster | No | Yes | Yes |
| Push button start/Stop | No | No | Yes |
| Diesel | Base | S | SX |
| Ex showroom Mumbai in Rs | 585,612 | 654,843 | 749,635 |
| - | S(O) | SX(O) | |
| - | 681,059 | 775,855 |
Competition All Specs
| Specifications |
Hyundai
Xcent |
Honda
Amaze |
Maruti Suzuki
Swift Dzire |
| Variant | SX(O) | VX | ZDI |
| Engine CC | 1120/3 CYL | 1498/4Cyl | 1248/4Cyl |
| Power PS/RPM | 72/4000 | 100/3600 | 75/4000 |
| Torque NM/RPM | 160/1500-2750 | 200/1750 | 190/2000 |
| Transmission | 5/M | 5/M | 5/M |
| Turning radius in M | - | - | - |
| Wheel | |||
| Alloy | 175/60 R15 | 175/65 R14 | 185/65 R15 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length | 3995 | 3990 | 3995 |
| Width | 1660 | 1680 | 1695 |
| Height | 1520 | 1505 | 1555 |
| Wheelbase | 2425 | 2405 | 2430 |
| Ground Clearance | 165 | 165 | 170 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 43 | 43 | 42 |
| Claimed Fuel Efficiency in KPL | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Features | |||
| Immobilizer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Central locking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Front Fog lamp | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Defogger | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Driver and Passanger airbags | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ABS (Anti-lock braking system) | Optional | Yes | Yes |
| Alloy wheels | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chrome outside door handles | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Turn indicator on ORVM | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2-Tone black and beige interiors | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rear seat center arm rest with cup holder | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leather wrapped steering wheel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leather wrapped gear knob with chrome coating | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2-DIN integrated music system | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Steering wheel mounted controls | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electric power steering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Air conditioner | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power windows | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electric folding ORVM | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tilt steering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Driver seat height adjuster | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Push button start/Stop | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ex showroom Mumbai in Rs | 775,855 | 791,240 | 761,679 |
Conclusion
The Xcent ticks all boxes for someone looking for a practical car. It gets class leading features along with a spacious cabin. Prices start from Rs.486516 and Go all the way to Rs. 775855. The Xcent directly rivals Honda Amaze and Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire. Honda Amaze is priced between Rs.534018 to Rs.791240 while the DZire is priced between Rs. 512306 to Rs.761679.
All the three brands hold a strong position in the Indian car industry. These three cars have their individual characteristics. Hyundai Xcent will appeal to the ones seeking a feature rich entry sedan. Also, since it comes from a brand like Hyundai, trust and confidence will be a package deal.
