Hyundai Xcent launched at Rs 4.66 lakh

Hyundai has launched the Xcent today at a starting price of Rs 4.66 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The Xcent is the sedan version of the Grand i10, our compact car of the year. Naturally expectation is high from the compact sedan to replicate the hatchback’s success but this segment already has popular cars like the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the Honda Amaze. It will be interesting to see if the Xcent can make a mark for itself and dent the fortunes of its competitors. The hatchback and the sedan are identical cars right back to the rear doors. But the C-pillar onwards, the Xcent is all new. The boot has been nicely integrated into the body and the taillights merge well with the rest of the design.

The Xcent is powered by the same petrol and diesel engines doing duty in the Grand i10. The petrol unit 1.2 litre 4-cylinder engine developing 83PS at 6,000 rpm and 114Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The 1.1-litre 3-cylinder diesel engine is the same but has been tweaked for more low-end grunt. It develops 1PS more than the Grand i10 - 72 PS at 4,000 rpm and torque is 20Nm more at 180Nm between a lower 1,500-2,500 rpm band. The petrol unit is refined and a proven engine and returns an ARAI certified efficiency figure of 19.1kmpl. The diesel unit returns 24.4kmpl and boasts of better driveability in the city compared to the Grand i10. We will have to see how it performs on the highway with its uprated figures. Both petrol and diesel Xcents come with a 5-speed manual transmission. Lastly, there’s also a 4-speed automatic option, also borrowed from the Grand i10. The Xcent rides on larger 15 inch wheels to the Grand i10's 14 inchers. Crucially, the boot is the Xcent can swallow 407 litres of luggage.