Hyundai has just launched its first entrant in the compact sedan segment, the Grand-i10-based Xcent, at a starting price of Rs 4.66 lakh for the base petrol trim. 

It is available in three variants - Base, S and SX - and in six colours. The Base trim is priced at Rs 4.66 lakh for the petrol, while the diesel costs Rs 5.56 lakh. The S petrol costs Rs 5.32 lakh, and the S (O) petrol is priced at Rs 5.57 lakh, while the S diesel costs Rs 6.23 lakh and the S (O) diesel is priced at Rs 6.98 lakh.

The top SX variant costs Rs 6.22 lakh for the petrol and Rs 7.13 lakh for the SX diesel, while the SX (O) variant costs Rs 6.47 lakh for the petrol and Rs 7.38 lakh for the diesel. The 1.2-litre petrol automatic variant is priced at Rs 6.28 lakh for the S (O) variant and Rs 7.19 lakh for the SX (O). Bear in mind that these are introductory prices though and are subject to change at any time.

Since it's based on the Grand i10 hatchback, the Xcent carries much of the small car’s styling. In fact, there’s nothing to differentiate the two cars right up till the rear doors. However, you can tell the Xcent was envisioned as a compact sedan derivative of the Grand i10 from the very start from the way the tail section blends smoothly with the rest of the design.

On the inside, the cabin is a carryover from the Grand i10, which means a smart dashboard and high levels of fit and finish. As with other Hyundais, the Xcent comes loaded with features. The top SX variant gets a few more features over the hatch; it comes with automatic climate control and a rear-view camera. Steering-mounted audio controls, an audio system with Aux, USB, Bluetooth and 1GB internal storage are features available as standard on the S and SX variants. Dual front airbags are only available on the SX trim. And, much like the hatch, ABS is an option, but only on the S and SX variants. It gets a cooled glovebox as standard on all variants but the Base variant gets only front power windows and no electric mirror adjust. The top SX trim comes with 14-inch alloys as standard, but Hyundai is giving you the option of 15-inch 'diamond cut' alloys as well. At 407 litres, the Xcent has got the largest boot in its class, seven litres more than Honda's Amaze.

The new Hyundai Xcent shares the same wheelbase as the Grand i10 hatchback and this means it will get the same generous legroom at the rear. Rear passengers get the added convenience of a fold-down central armrest with cupholders.

The Hyundai Xcent sedan uses the same 1.1-litre diesel and 1.2-litre petrol engines as the Grand i10. These engines are mated to five-speed manual transmissions as standard, though the petrol car gets an optional four-speed automatic too.

With the Xcent, Hyundai makes its foray into the lucrative sub-four-metre sedan segment, and meeting this small-car regulation has allowed the company to price it competitively. Going by how well the Grand i10 hatchback has been received in India, the Xcent has the potential to cause a serious dent to the Maruti Dzire’s and Honda Amaze’s sales.