Hyundai Xcent: ABS Is Now Standard!

Better late than never, we suppose! Hyundai has finally added anti-lock brakes (ABS) and EBD as standard across variants for the Xcent. Interestingly, all variants of the pre-facelift version were equipped with ABS as standard.

With the update it received in 2017, Hyundai had chosen to offer dual airbags as standard instead of the braking tech. This did cause a few raised eyebrows in the office back then. That said, we're glad Hyundai is offering the new Xcent with all the essential safety tech right from the get go. Hyundai's compact sedan now joins the ranks of the Volkswagen Ameo, Honda Amaze and the Maruti Dzire - all of which offer these features as standard.

Along with the inclusion of ABS, Hyundai has also rejigged the variant lineup of the Xcent. The E+ variant has been given the boot, bringing the total tally down to four. Over the base-spec E variant, the E+ offered wheel caps, a 2-DIN audio system, steering-mounted audio controls and front fog lamps. Notably, none of these features have trickled down to the base variant. They’re available from the S variant onwards.

Take a quick look at how the prices compare:

Price	Old	New
Petrol
E	Rs 5.5 lakh	Rs 5.64 lakh
E+	Rs 6 lakh	Discontinued
S	Rs 6.5 lakh	Rs 6.34 lakh
S AT	Rs 7.3 lakh	Rs 7.24 lakh
SX	Rs 6.88 lakh	Rs 6.92 lakh
SX (O)	Rs 7.65 lakh	Rs 7.68 lakh
Diesel
E	Rs 6.42 lakh	Rs 6.58 lakh
E+	Rs 6.97 lakh	Discontinued
S	Rs 7.42 lakh	Rs 7.32 lakh
SX	Rs 7.81 lakh	Rs 7.85 lakh
SX (O)	Rs 8.58 lakh	Rs 8.61 lakh

(Metallic paint considered. Ex-showroom Delhi)

Save for the inclusion of ABS and EBD on the base variant, the Xcent remains unchanged. The 2017 facelift saw it get a raft of changes, including redesigned exteriors, minor additions (and deletions!) to the equipment list and a new diesel engine.

Despite the changes, the Xcent hasn’t really caught the fancy of the masses in a big way. While it is a fantastic product, it is beginning to show its age a bit. Newer products such as the Dzire and the Amaze have only made things tougher for the little Hyundai. The South Korean manufacturer has promised India a total of eight new products by 2020, and the compact sedan is most definitely on the to-do list.