Hyundai Xcent

The boot integration has been executed so beautifully that there is no break from the flowing fluidic design philosophy. The i10 Grand is a fine looking hatch, and adding a boot to create the Xcent has further added appeal to the range. The Xcent gets fantastic looking 14 inch diamond cut alloys, and you can opt for the 15 inch alloys in the option variant. I am very happy with the fit and finish of the entire package. Every panel fits very well and all the creases on the body are smooth. The only bit that stands out is the tail light assembly which is smaller in proportion and looks odd. Chrome detailing on the front, especially on the black coloured car that I drove, adds a touch of class to this compact and also differentiates it from its hatchback sibling.

Interior of the new Xcent is an interesting place to be. The dual tone black and beige dash board has perfect colour combination and is very well put together. The feel and quality is brilliant for a car in this price bracket. The feature list is richer than the hatch as well. Where the hatch has air-conditioning, the Xcent has climate control with rear vents. We drove the car on a sunny 36 degree Celsius day and the cabin was kept cool and fresh by the climate control throughout. The steering has audio mounted controls, which for ease of use gets bigger buttons on the Xcent. But you do tend to unintentionally press them, as it is a steering wheel and the funny thing about steering is that it moves.

Xcent gets 2 DIN integrated audio with Bluetooth connectivity and 1 GB memory to store content. There are cubby holes around the front and back to stop your stuff jiggling about in the cabin. Glove box gets cooling feature which is very convenient for our summers. The seats are comfortable, both at the front and the rear. Owners will be surprised at the space that Hyundai engineers have squeezed out in this compact saloon. There is more than enough legroom for you, whether you are driving, or are being a passenger at the rear.

Customers can choose between a 1.1 litre diesel engine and a 1.2 litre kappa petrol engine for their Xcent. The 1.1 litre U2 CRDi diesel engine comes with a 5-speed manual, and you can choose between a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic with the 1.2 litre kappa petrol. We drove the 1.1 litre diesel which has 3-cylinders and packs nearly 180Nm torque. Now the engine and transmission has been borrowed from Xcent’s younger sibling, but have been fettled with for more performance and efficiency. The grunt of this engine can be clearly felt in the mid-range because in the real world, mid-range is what you require most of the time.

A potent mid-range encourages lesser gear shifts and easier overtaking. This diesel version did nearly touch 160kmph top whack on our drive, but you notice that it doesn’t like that and crosswinds tend to sway the car. The Xcent is most comfortable between 80kmph to 130kmph on a highway. One very commendable feat this car possesses in the fantastic NVH level. The Xcent has a very quiet cabin and you can settle in a comfortable conversation at high speeds. Ride and handling is again a forte of this car, and added to the light steering wheel and smooth shifting transmission, the driving experience is more than just satisfying. The suspension setup is bang on between the right levels of stiff and soft. The car remains composed on uneven surfaces and also keeps the occupants comfortable while doing it.

Xcent is truly a complete package as a compact saloon. You get loads of features, some of which are not present in the segment and enough space for 4 passengers and luggage. Hyundai claims the diesel engine returns 24.4kmpl, which is a fantastic figure for a family saloon. And the feature rich cabin will keep you and your family entertained and comfortable. Frankly speaking, you cannot go wrong with the Xcent. Money well spent!