For all auto enthusiasts out there who once loved the Hyundai Accent sedan (c’mon there is no harm in admitting!), the time for reunion has come as the discontinued model is here again to charm us with a new look. Yes, that’s right, the South Korean auto maker is all set to launch an upgraded version of their three box car with the name Hyundai Xcent.
Compare: Hyundai Xcent vs Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire
For quite sometime now, the under four meter fleet of cars has been sweeping the Indian auto market but Hyundai didn’t had any such offering and was only striving with its brilliant hatches. The gap for a compact sedan was always there for Hyundai, thus it was the time to finally fill in those gaps and move ahead.
* Comparison: Maruti Suzuki Dzire vs Honda Amaze
The popular Grand i10 will form the basis of this longest selling sedan of the company, Accent. Unveiled at the recently concluded 2014 Auto Expo, the all new Hyundai Xcent is speculated to soon storm the showrooms of the country anytime in the ongoing month. We expect the Xcent price to be in the league of Amaze and Dzire.
Before the vehicle finally makes it to the outlets, let’s get an overall preview of what it would be like.
Design
Hyundai stuck with the tag that ‘if it’s ain’t broken, why fix it?’ and the exterior styling of the new Xcent is almost similar to that of the outgoing Grand i10 with only difference being the addition of boot. However, there is no issue in keeping the same outfit as Grand i10’s exteriors aren’t bad either. You can’t make out the difference from the front of upcoming sedan and the hatch, right up to the rear doors.
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The integration of trunk blends perfectly with the overall theme of the car and at no point it appears as an after-thought. Coming to the rear profile of the vehicle, Hyundai Xcent boasts of a thick chrome strip right above the number plate, chic tail lamps stretching into the the side profile, neatly appointed crease originating from the front door right up-till the rear tail lamps and then effort combining with the boot tip.
Interior
Borrowing the Grand i10 platform, the new Xcent will embrace the same cabin which means you get the same knick knacks of the the modish hatchback. A familiar dashboard implies start/stop button, reversing camera, Bluetooth telephony, keyless entry, rear AC vents, steering mounted controls and the similar treatment of the Grand i10 cabin. Expect the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and airbags to make way in the top end version. Xcent’s interior will offer generous space and the seats will be on the comfort side. Another key aspect of i10 is it offers superb legroom which is kept intact in the upcoming sedan. However, the limited width in the rear will restrict the seating to two full size adults. Though fitting a third one amid two average person will call for some strains. The boot space promises to be best in class of Maruti Dzire, Honda Amaze and Tata Indigo eCS.
Engine
It’s a complete adoption; even engines are shared. Diesel trim will employ the 1.1 litre motor while the petrol one gets 1.2 litre Kappa engine. These will be linked to a five speed manual transmission and a four speed automatic is also expected to make a move in the petrol variant. With the same set of engines, the performance part too is expected to be talk of the town given the good performance that Grand i10 delivers. The fuel economy, again will be at par with its outgoing cousin.
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Verdict
Ultimately, what you get from Hyundai is a car that retains the charm, features & performance of the Grand i10 along with an additional storing space at the back. Aimed to foster on the growing demands of the under four meter cars (which calls for reduced excise duty), Hyundai Xcent will certainly lure car buyers and simultaneously, put a dent in the sales of its rivals. However, future holds all the answers.
Hyundai Xcent
