Hyundai Motor India launches facelifted Xcent at Rs 538,000

Hyundai Motor India has launched the refreshed Xcent in India. Prices for the 2017 Xcent compact sedan start at Rs 538,000 l for the base E petrol variant, going up to Rs 842,000 for the top-spec diesel trim (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Xcent gets an all-new nose with the new signature Hyundai grille that is both wider and taller than the pre-facelift version replete with chrome bits. The front bumper is also all new and merges well with the large grille. Higher variants feature LED daytime running lamps along the edges of the foglamp housings.

The 2017 Xcent looks more or less the same as the outgoing car when viewed in profile, the petrol variant gets a new alloy wheel design, while the diesel carries over the same ones as before. The Xcent gets major changes with an all-new boot design and larger wraparound tail-lamps that now extend on the boot lid. The rear bumper also gets a new design with a wide plastic insert and large reflectors on each ends.

On the inside, the Xcent gets a 7-inch touchscreen system that also doubles as a reverse camera display. It gets voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, along with audio-video navigation. The seats get a new shade for the fabric as well.

Interestingly, mid-level models of the facelifted Xcent won’t offer the smaller 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered in the Grand i10.

On the safety front, the 2017 Xcent now comes with standard dual airbags. However, ABS is now standard only on the top two trims, the SX and SX(O), as opposed to it being standard on all trims on the pre-facelifted model.

Under the hood, the facelifted Xcent carries forward the 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol motor from the pre-facelifted model. The diesel variant, though, gets a new and more powerful 75hp, 1.2-litre unit which is also available on the recently refreshed Grand i10. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard with the petrol also offered with the option of a four-speed automatic unit. Hyundai claims fuel economy figures of 20.14kpl from the petrol motor when paired with a manual gearbox and 17.36kpl when paired with the automatic. The diesel is claimed to return 25.4kpl.

Key rivals to the Xcent include the Honda Amaze, the Volkswagen Ameo and theTata Zest. It will see stiff competition from the likes of the recently launched Tata Tigor and the soon-to-be-launched third-gen Swift Dzire.

Hyundai will continue to sell the pre-facelift Xcent, along with the updated model. The pre-facelifted car will be sold only to taxi and fleet operators.

Since the Xcent's launch in March 2014, it has sold a total of 162,005 units in the domestic market, 93,577 units petrol and 68,248 diesel. 

Also read: Driving impression of the facelifted Xcent

Photo gallery of the new Xcent