Xcellent

The Xcent starts at Rs4.90 lakh, ex-Mumbai.  Amount only hatchbacks are priced at these days. This makes it one of the most affordable entry-level petrol sedans available today. We have already compared the diesel version with its arch rivals - the Amaze and the Dzire but how does the petrol Xcent fare?

While it is as long as the other sub 4-metre cars but when viewed head-on and from the back, the car looks noticeably narrower, and that's because it is exactly as wide as the Grand i10. The top-end variant, especially the SX Option model features attractive diamond cut alloys, angular waistline molding and chrome accents that add a bit to the premium feel.

The face features Hyundai's typical hexagonal grille with a chrome outline to distinguish the car from the Grand i10, while the sides don't feature any prominent lines apart from the waist line molding. The interior is well-executed, the dual-tone dashboard looks smart and the attention to detail is good. The top variant offers leather covering for the gear knob and wheel. Smart packaging has also resulted in good cabin space and a large 407-litre boot (best in class).

 

Styling and space apart, what about engine and performance? The Xcent's 1.2-litre Kappa motor has been borrowed from the Grand and the i20 1.2. The 16V DOHC unit features variable valve timing technology that claims to offer good performance and efficiency. The engine puts out 83PS at 6000rpm and 114NM of torque at 4000rpm. Out on the road, the engine is peppy while the shorter gear ratios go well with the engine's character.

 

The car is quick off the block too. It takes just 12.9 seconds to hit 100 kmph while the car maxes out at a respectable 159kmph. In the city, one does tend to shift gears more. Driving on the highway, the engine doesn't feel strained even at speeds up to 140kmph. The car also returned respectable fuel cell-efficiency - in town the Xcent did 13.9km for a litre of petrol while the figure improved to 19.1 kmpl on the highway, translating to an overall figure of 15.2kmpl. The ARAI figure however is a claimed 19.1 kmpl. An automatic variant is also available and can be opted only in petrol form.

 

The Hyundai offers a good ride and absorbs potholes and broken roads quite well. Since the cabin is insulated well, road noise is also well-masked. The car comes to a halt quickly and in terms of features, the car is available in three variants - Base, S and SX. The top variant offer a host of features such as auto AC, stereo with 1GB storage, steering mounted controls for audio and phone, rear view camera, rear AC vent, arm rest with cup holders, keyless entry and start, multi display (misses fuel range option), optional 15 inch alloys and standard airbags. ABS isn't standard and only optional for both the S and SX variants.

As we mentioned before, the Xcent petrol Starts at Rs 4.90 lakh for the base model, while the top end fully-loaded SX Option manual can be yours for Rs 6.9 lakh. The automatic variants are priced at Rs 6.60 lakh and 7.55 lakh for the S Option and SX Option respectively (all prices ex-Mumbai). At this price, the Xcent starts at a more afford-able price than its competition, making it a good value buy for someone looking to up-grade to a compact sedan.