[RSR]

Hyundai have made some much needed changes to the Xcent's feature list!

ABS is now standard across the range!

There are only four variants (for petrol & diesel) now - Base, S, SX and SX(O), instead of the five per engine earlier. Additionally, the petrol engine continues to be available with a 4-speed AT on the top SX(O) variant, as earlier.

All nine variants (4 petrol MTs + 1 petrol AT + 4 diesel MTs) get standard ABS, while five variants {SX & SX(O) ones} get dual front airbags.

There are also quite a few other changes, that I'm not able to accurately identify. Perhaps existing Xcent owners could point out the differences. Click on the image for a clearer view in a separate tab/window:



Link to the new e-brochure:

http://www.hyundai.com/wcm/upload_ww...7707566153.pdf

While I heartily welcome these changes, I feel they should have also equipped the Base & S variants with a driver airbag. More so, considering that the new Ford Figo Aspire's launch is just around the corner, and it comes with class-leading safety features across the range.

[AkMar]

A quick glance at the brochure revealed following changes:

1. Leather steering & leather gear knob only on SX (O). Earlier it was available in SX also.

2. Engine running time missing from MID.

3. Climate control & Start/Stop button only available in SX (O) now. SX had these earlier.

4. Alloy wheels now available only in SX and above. You could get alloy wheels in S(O).

Feel free to add any changes which I may have missed.

How I wish that these changes were made a couple of months earlier. The new SX variant makes much more sense in my books now. I would rather have ABS in place of "nice to have" features like climate control and start/stop button. Climate control should have been retained in SX, though IMHO. When we booked Xcent a couple of months ago, to get ABS+Airbags one had to go for SX (O) which was way out of budget so we settled for an S(O) missing out on airbags.

Kudos to Hyundai on making this much needed rationalization in safety features across variants.

[Aditya]

Good of Hyundai to equip all variants with ABS. Hope other manufacturers follow this example. It will go a long way in reducing the number of accidents. The addition of airbags should be the next step.

[MSC]

It is a good move to equip all variants with ABS. The next step should be equipping the hatch Grand I10 with ABS and at least airbags on the Sportz variant. The hatch obviously sells more than compact sedan. Now it seems that Hyundai has finally woken up from its deep slumber. And hopefully we will see more ABS and airbag equipped Hyundai cars.

[RSR]

Hyundai's website now lists the updated variants' prices. This is the new price list (ex-showroom, Chennai):

[Rajeevraj]

Good to see the big guys starting to take safety seriously. Considering that Maruti and Hyundai pretty much control the market share, such steps from them will go a long way in ensuring majority of the cars sold come with the standard safety features.

[amvj]

This is just a great news after the Punto Abarth.

After lot of poor results of Euro NCAP of Indian cars and car manufacturers such as Maruti are not bothered about it. Atleast Hyundai is not saying like Maruti (we are selling cars which are compatible to Indian Automobile law).

IMHO, ABS should be made mandatory. It is a life saving feature. They should make this standard across all variants and not only the Xcent.

Manufacturers can remove Stereo, leather upholstery, wheel caps / alloys and they should atleast give ABS / Airbag standard across all variants.

Hope other manufacturers follow suite.

[Fx14]

This act by Hyundai may have been prompted in view of the impending launch of the Ford Figo Aspire in the sub 4m category.

The pre-launch advertisements are already highlighting the safety features including 6 airbags as "best in class", though variant specific features and prices would be known post August 12th.

[commonman]

Whole heartedly support this initiative. Maruti must also fall in place by providing ABS for cars like Swift .The cars with 1L or more engine capacity must be given ABS .This will prevent lots of accidents.Hyundai is becoming a leader now,for all safety related and design innovations,for Indian small car market.

[trek]

I will be thanking Ford for this move! The Xcent is not selling in big numbers and Hyundai is trying to prevent potential customers moving to Aspire.

This is just a business strategy by Hyundai, its not that they have transformed overnight and are concerned about the safety of Indian consumers. Heck the Grande i10 has ABS as an option even in the highest variant!

Anyway, its all for good if Hyundai and Maruti start offering ABS and Airbags standards on all their cars. Guess that will happen if Ford launches the new Figo with higher safety kit as in the Aspire.

[rohan_iitr]

Good move by Hyundai, although I feel that the upcoming Aspire had some role to play. Whatever may be the case, the customer will benefit from the trend.

What I liked the most is that a safety conscious person can now buy a variant with all safety features and the meaningful comfort features (like music system, rear AC vents, electrically adjustable mirrors, parking assist etc), without having to pay for fancy features (like ACC, leather wrapped this and that, crome plated handles, push button start and keyless entry).

Now the ball is in Maruti's court.

Rohan

[zwift1819]

Completely agree with Trek. It's another business strategy by HMIL. If they were concerned about safety they would have added Airbags as standard just the Volkswagen has implemented across all its range. After all its we who pay the highest amount of taxes when buying a car and still lag out on basic safety features.

[Vishal.R]

While I agree that it is not a social commitment towards safety but a business strategy to push sales in very competitive market of sub 4 meter compact sedans, I would still appreciate it as a "right" business strategy. Others like Honda (with Amaze) should also follow this. I might be in market for a new petrol car in some time, and earlier xcent was not even in consideration, but after this development along with at least 33,000 official discount being offered, base 1.2 petrol now makes sense at around 5.5 lac OTR.

[murillo]

Last week I went to a Hyundai showroom. The sales executive said the S version doesn't come with ABS. But the Hyundai web site says ABS as standard across all variants including the Base variant. Can someone throw any light on this? Thanks.

[sids1811]

The dealer might be holding some old inventory which was not equipped woth ABS and will be trying to sell it as such by misquoting. Try visiting another showroom in your city to find out the truth and better still get the vehicle's VIN to trace its month of production.

Originally Posted by murillo

Last week I went to a Hyundai showroom. The sales executive said the S version doesn't come with ABS. But the Hyundai web site says ABS as standard across all variants including the Base variant. Can someone throw any light on this? Thanks.