Hyundai Xcent Petrol or Diesel: Which one to buy?

Hyundai's latest compact sedan offering comes with a petrol and diesel engine. Which one suits you best?

There are only two reasons why you will buy an Xcent over the Grand i10… the larger boot that comes with the sedan body style and the slightly more powerful diesel engine. The Hyundai Xcent gets 407 litres of boot space which is the best in class in the compact sedan category. While we don’t have details on the vehicle weight yet, we presume it will be between 50-100 kg heavier than the Grand i10. The diesel Xcent comes with marginally uprated power figures to the Grand i10. While the figures show an increase in low and mid range torque, the extra weight might nullify the engine’s added performance. We will get a clearer picture towards the end of the month though once we drive the Hyundai Xcent. But on the face of it, once you have decided to buy an Xcent, which one will you go for? Petrol or diesel, it’s not as easy a decision as it seems.

Mechanically, since the Xcent and the Grand i10 are identical, the Xcent will not disappoint. The Grand i10 is one of the better engineered Hyundais we have come across in terms of car dynamics so the Xcent too should be a nice car to drive. The steering feels effortless, the suspension setup is ideal and the engines on offer are quite potent for this class of car. The petrol engine is the venerable 1.2 litre kappa engine developing 83PS of power and 114Nm of torque. It is an absolute gem and a major reason for the success of the i10 in India. The diesel engine is the 3-cylinder 1.1-litre mill from the Grand i10. It has been tweaked for the Xcent to produce 72PS which is 1PS more power and crucially 180Nm of torque, that’s 20Nm extra. It translates to better driveability as most of the torque is developed in the lower half of the rev band.

So there won’t be any surprises then with the Xcent on the road. Once you’ve made your choice of car, it’s the amount you write the cheque for that matters most so let’s see whether the petrol or diesel suits your usage better. Spec for spec, the Xcent petrol is cheaper by about Rs 90,000 compared to the Xcent diesel. These days with the ever changing fuel price scenario it isn’t easy to predict if your purchase now makes good financial sense and you end up buying the diesel car since it returns better mileage and it is cheaper at the pumps. Take a look at the three cases on the next page and make your purchase based on the amount of running you expect your car to go through.

	Xcent Petrol	Xcent Diesel
Base variant Price (Ex-showroom Delhi)	Rs 4.66 lakh	Rs 5.56 lakh
ARAI certified fuel economy	19.1kmpl	24.4kmpl
Cost of fuel in Delhi	Rs 73.16/litre	Rs 55.48/litre
Average running per year (1)	10,000km	10,000km
Fuel consumed (1)	10,000/19.1=524 litres	10,000/24.4=410 litres
Cost of fuel	524x73.16=Rs 38,000	410x55.48=Rs 22,750
Average running per year (2)	15,000km	15,000km
Fuel consumed (2)	15,000/19.1=785 litres	15,000/24.4=615 litres
Cost of fuel	785x73.16=Rs 57,400	615x55.48=Rs 34,100
Average running per year (3)	20,000km	20,000km
Fuel consumed (3)	20,000/19.1=1047 litres	20,000/24.4=820 litres
Cost of fuel	785x73.16=Rs 76,600	615x55.48=Rs 45,500

In case one when you are driving only 10,000 km every year, the amount spent at the pumps will be Rs 15,250 less in the diesel Xcent. This means that you will roughly have to run the car for six years to recover the Rs 90,000 premium you pay for the diesel.

In case two the difference is Rs 23,300. It will take almost four years driving 15,000km per annum. Case three is the most favourable scenario for a diesel Xcent purchase. With a difference of Rs 31,100 you will recover the extra cost of purchasing the Xcent diesel in less than three years. 

There are a few things you need to take note of. First and foremost is that it is almost impossible to get ARAI certified figures on regular runs. The economy your car returns will be much lesser. Second is the cost of maintenance and wear and tear. Cost of maintenance for the diesel will be higher and since you will be driving it more, the wear and tear will be higher too. Lastly, the duration of your ownership – three years is a ball park figure for most new car purchases. If you plan to own it longer then opting for a diesel could still make sense in case two. 

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2011 Sonata’s Poor Reliability Relegates Hyundai to 27th Place in J.D. Power’s 2014 Survey

Problems reported by owners of the 2011 Sonata were the main reason for which Hyundai slid to 27th out of 32 places in J.D. Power and Associates’ 2014 Vehicle Dependability Survey.

Hyundai owners reported an average of 169 problems per 100 vehicles in the survey, which measures the average number of problems per 100 vehicles reported by owners who have owned their cars for 3 years. It was Hyundai’s second year of increasing problems after improvements recorded from 2009 through 2012.

The 2011 Sonata was not the only model responsible for Hyundai’s poor performance in the survey, with the 2011 Elantra compact car also contributing to the low scores. Both cars launched as 2011 models and are built in Hyundai’s Alabama plant in the United States, which has been working in three-shifts since the fall of 2012.

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New Honda City diesel vs Hyundai Verna diesel: Comparison

The new Honda City diesel meets the updated Hyundai Verna diesel, its fiercest rival. So, which car wins? Read on...

The new Honda City is already a success having sold more units in its first month since launch than any of its predecessors ever managed.  And to do so at a time when the automotive industry isn’t in its pink of health makes this feat even more commendable. But then, the City was always a popular model and when a new generation of a popular model arrives, it always manages to do well. We call it the honeymoon period. The real challenge for the new Honda City now will be to keep this momentum going. And to do that it must first prove to be a better buying proposition than the current king of the mid-sized class – the Hyundai Verna.

The Hyundai Verna is a good looking car, both inside and out. And, this is also partly the reason for its success. It looks modern and racy; upmarket and showy. And, now with its newly designed 16-inch alloy wheels and LED garnish for the projector type head lamps, there’s a hint more freshness to its design. Even otherwise, the Verna’s well defined lines and detailing, good proportions and a swopping roof line have always helped it give an added dose of visual drama missing in the competition.

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2014 New Hyundai Santa Fe: First Drive

Hyundai has launched the new generation Santa Fe that is high on looks. It also promises to be a much better product overall, but can it really justify its hefty price tag?

Dabang. It's not a term one associates with cars, especially those that cost close to Rs 30 lakh.  But, not 'being Dabang' enough, is what costs the previous generation Santa Fe 'sales box-office' success, says Hyundai. Apparently, the true clientele for the Santa Fe - the politicos and the builder lobby - would only settle for something brash; something in your face; something that people would fear more than appreciate. Stuff like features, driveability, safety and even fuel economy is a distant second to this lot.

So, what Hyundai did when it was time to upgrade the Santa Fe? It got an upmarket looking, feature rich, good on driveability and high on safety new version; and completely forgot about 'being Dabang' all over again! Now being Dabang in automotive terms means to have an SUV- that's big, brash and intimidating. A mean machine that has the road presence of a bouncer, who spends his day in the gym and his night outside a night club in dark clothes. In simple terms an SUV that must look a bit sinister.

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Hyundai unveils new Xcent sedan

Hyundai's Grand i10 based sub 4-metre sedan is called the Xcent. Will compete against the Honda Amaze and Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Hyundai has unveiled its Grand i10 based sedan and has called it the Xcent. As many would be aware, one of Hyundai's highest and longest selling car in India was the Accent which was taken off the shelves last year. Clearly, the Accent must have had a handsome fan following for Hyundai to name the Grand i10 sedan the Xcent.

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Hyundai Grand i10 vs Maruti Suzuki Swift: Comparison

The Hyundai Grand i10 is good. No doubt. But, is it better than the popular and fun to drive Maruti Suzuki Swift? We have the answer.

The biggest talking point about the Hyundai Grand i10 has been its small but efficient diesel engine. But, that has no bearing here, because this, is a petrol comparison. Nonetheless, even in petrol guise, the Grand i10 has redefined a few rules in its classbe it space, equipment or the value for money proposition. Then you have the Swift; it is the default choice or anyone looking at buying a hatchback, and it has been that choice for years. So, even though the Grand is good, it must have the wherewithal to beat the Swift for it to keep the moment it has currently gathered.

But, looking at the two cars parked in front of me, my eyes keep moving to the Swift. I still can't believe that even though the Swift is the older car here, it still looks better. It looks young, dynamic and less oriental than the Grand. The Swift's design is less busy and apart from that long-ish hood, I wouldn't want to change anything about the car's styling.

In case of the Grand, I'd like to give it bigger 15 inch wheels to begin with, and a slightly tauter skin. The Grand follows Hyundai's Fluidic design philosophy like the Verna and the Elantra. And even though we like the way the latter two look, this design philosophy doesn't work as well on the small car. 

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Hyundai Verna new top-end variant introduced

To tackle the newly launched Honda City, Hyundai has introduced new top-end variant with added features and plans to add more variants in its diesel line-up

It seems the effects of the newly launched fourth-generation Honda City can be felt in the corridors of Hyundai. The newly launched feature loaded City has registered bookings for more than 9,000 within weeks of it launch. And Hyundai, which has been ruling the mid-size segment with its Verna can see its crown slipping. To counter this, Hyundai has quietly added a new top-end variant of the Verna, called SX (O). The new SX (O) variant has been equipped with features like projector headlamp, 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, illuminated power window switches and safety escort headlamps to make the car a more desirable proposition.

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New 2014 Honda City Diesel: how does it compare with the Hyundai Verna - Engines

With the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine under its hood, the new City takes on the 1.6-litre CRDi equipped Verna. Find out how it stacks up against the current segment leader

If there’s one car that can give the new Honda City Diesel sleepless nights, it is the Hyundai Verna. The Verna is the current segment leader with its diesel engine portfolio commanding the lion’s share. But, it hasn’t had it easy; it has had to contend with the likes of the Nissan Sunny and the Volkswagen Vento. The question is – can the new Honda City Diesel beat the Verna at its own game?

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Year-end discounts and offers on 2013 car models

There's less than a week left for 2013 to end and manufacturers and dealers are pushing hard to get their cars off the shelf. Read this and be at your opportunistic best while shopping for that new car

If you plan to wish yourself a Happy new year with that last-minute car purchase, you are in for a new-year treat. There are discounts and offers by the bucket-load on almost every car on sale in India and we have prepared a comprehensive list on these deals that are up for grabs until the beginning of January 2014. We start with the largest manufacturer in terms of sales to the smaller ones.

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Cars coming to the 2014 Indian Auto Expo

The 12th Auto Expo is less then two months away so here's a guide on what to expect at the fairground come February 07, 2014

The Indian car industry is seeing a slowdown making it more important for manufacturers to keep the enthusiasm alive among car buyers. The Auto expo is the perfect platform for car makers to showcase all cars new and refreshed that they have to offer. But you don’t have to wait that long because we’re telling you what’s coming to the Expo right now.

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Looking to buy a Sedan in 2014?

Looking to buy a Sedan in 2014? Read our detailed report on all the new Sedans expected to come to India in 2014 before you make a decision

The quintessential status symbol for any Indian family, the sedan is an integral part of the Indian automotive scene. In a country where manufacturers strive long and hard to adhere to strange government norms like the Sub-4 meter rule, the sedan is one of the most important cars in any manufacturer’s arsenal. Although 2013 was a relatively quiet year for sedans in general, 2014 seems to be a blockbuster year with over 20 new cars and variants slated to roll into the hustle and bustle of the Indian automotive sector. From cars at the lower end of the spectrum, like Hyundai’s new sub-4 meter sedan to the uber luxurious Mercedes-Benz S Class, there is something for everyone. 

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MPVs for 2014

We give you an in depth look at the MPVs expected to hit Indian shores in 2014

Although the Indian economic scene seems to be in a bit of a lull, the average middle class family is always looking to upgrade their standard of living in general. The most obvious upgrade for most families is that of their automobile. In recent times, the segments that have seen the most growth are the ones that offer both practicality and space at a price point that doesn’t burn a hole in one’s pockets i.e. the small SUV and MPV segments. A Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) does exactly what it sets out to do: carries a family in as much comfort as an average sedan, has the space to rival a large SUV and is just as practical as the family hatchback. In short, the MPV has become popular simply due to the fact that they are a fantastic value proposition to the typical price sensitive Indian buyer. Here are 5 new MPVs that should make it to our shores in 2014!

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Compact SUVs for 2014

The fastest growing and hottest segment in the Indian Automotive scene is about to get hotter and even more competitive!

The Compact SUV segment is one of the fastest growing segments in the country and the only one that is showing consistent growth while the automotive industry in general slows down. Although Premier Automobiles was the first official compact SUV in India with it’s Rio, bad sales and service networks translated into almost negligible sales figures. The real action in the segment began in August 2012 when Renault finally launched it’s much awaited Duster which in turn became a roaring success. Earlier this year, Ford’s Ecosport too turned the market upside down with roaring sales changing Ford’s public perception. This year though, the compact SUV segment will be THE segment to look out for with Maruti, Mahindra, Hyundai and Honda gunning for the top spot. Read on to know more. 

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Hyundai Grand i10 Automatic launched at Rs 5.64 Lakh

Hyundai's new Grand i10 finally gets a much-deserved Automatic gearbox

Hyundai India has finally launched the much awaited and expected automatic variant of the Grand i10 Automatic at Rs 5.64 and Rs 5.92 Lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the Sportz and Asta variants respectively. Hyundai had launched manual geared, petrol and diesel versions of the new Grand i10 earlier this year in September, instantly becoming one of the top 5 highest selling cars in India with over 20,000 bookings and a claimed 2,00,000 customer enquires. 

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Hyundai Wants a BMW 3 Series Competitor

If all goes to plan, then BMW will soon face another automaker looking to take on their benchmark 3 Series sport sedan. Automotive News is reporting that Hyundai is currently at work on a new rear-wheel-drive model that'll be smaller than the Genesis sedan with the intention to become a direct competitor to the iconic BMW.This could be yet another significant step forward for the South Korean automaker as it continues to move its way upmarket with aggressive development programs.Although we shouldn't expect to see such a 3 Series rivaling Hyundai until 2015 at the earliest, it's clear that the South Koreans are confident enough to enter such a fiercely competitive segment.

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Manhart MH3 V8 RS Clubsport with a 4.4L twin-turbo engine

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