Splendor Plus vs Splendor+ XTEC (2026): Features, Price & EMI Compared

This is a variant decision rather than a conventional two-bike contest. The 2026 Hero Splendor Plus and Splendor+ XTEC share the same 97.2cc engine, four-speed gearbox, tubular double-cradle frame, 18-inch wheels, 785mm seat and 165mm ground clearance. The XTEC’s purpose is to modernise the Splendor experience without changing its basic performance.

The base price gap is approximately ₹4,237 on current average ex-showroom listings: ₹77,123 for the standard Drum OBD2B and ₹81,360 for the XTEC Drum OBD2B. Delhi on-road references suggest a difference of about ₹3,637. The XTEC’s main advantages are information and convenience: an LCD instrument cluster, Bluetooth call and SMS alerts, real-time mileage indication and an integrated USB charging port.

Choose the standard Splendor Plus if you prefer an analogue dashboard, fewer electronics and the lowest payment. Choose XTEC if phone alerts, a digital fuel display and charging are genuinely useful. Neither is quicker, more powerful or substantially more comfortable.

Price Comparison

The 2026 Splendor family spans several trims, so the exact comparison must name the variant.

 

The cleanest standard-versus-XTEC comparison is ₹77,123 against ₹81,360, a difference of ₹4,237 ex-showroom. Current Delhi on-road references are approximately ₹92,954 for the standard bike and ₹96,591 for XTEC, a difference of ₹3,637. Those on-road numbers include estimated registration and insurance and will vary with city and policy.

The additional price pays for the LCD console, Bluetooth alerts, real-time mileage information and USB port. A front disc is not included at the ₹81,360 XTEC starting price; it belongs to the costlier Disc OBD2B variant. The base XTEC also retains a halogen headlamp. Buyers wanting LED lighting should look at XTEC 2.0, not assume every XTEC has it.

EMI Comparison

For a practical illustration, assume 20% down, 9.5% annual reducing-balance interest and 36 months, using the Delhi on-road references.

 

The XTEC adds only about ₹93 per month in this example. Total financing outflow, including down payment, is about ₹4,083 higher. That modest monthly difference makes XTEC easy to justify if its features prevent regular phone handling or help the rider monitor economy. It is still an assumed calculation, not a lender quote. Check processing charges, rate, foreclosure terms and city-specific financing on Drivio.

Mileage & Running Cost

Hero’s current model-specific FAQ quotes 69kmpl for Splendor+ XTEC, while the standard Splendor Plus page states 70kmpl with E20 fuel. BikeWale lists an ARAI figure of 73kmpl for XTEC and an owner-reported average of 65kmpl; owner data for the standard Splendor is about 63kmpl. Because manufacturer pages and marketplace certification labels differ, buyers should treat 63–65kmpl owner data as a more conservative planning basis rather than promise.

At 1,000km per month and ₹100/litre, 63kmpl costs around ₹1,587 and 65kmpl costs around ₹1,538. The theoretical XTEC saving is approximately ₹49 monthly. That is too small to recover the price premium quickly, so mileage should not be the main reason to upgrade. The digital real-time mileage indicator may, however, encourage smoother throttle use.

Engine & Performance

Both versions use Hero’s 97.2cc air-cooled, single-cylinder fuel-injected engine. It produces 5.9kW at 8,000rpm and 8.05Nm at 6,000rpm, paired with a four-speed constant-mesh gearbox. Kerb weight for the drum variants is approximately 112kg.

That means the practical performance is the same. Both are easy to launch, light in traffic and suited to 40–60kmph commuting. Neither offers an advantage for highway overtaking. They can undertake occasional intercity trips, but high-speed cruising is outside the design brief.

The engine’s strongest quality is predictable response at everyday speeds. Both can feel busier near maximum road speed. XTEC’s digital display changes the rider interface, not the mechanical refinement or acceleration.

Features

The standard Splendor Plus uses an analogue speedometer and conventional fuel gauge. It includes a halogen headlamp, LED position lamp, side-stand engine cut-off, tubeless tyres, IBS and i3S on selected trims. There is no factory Bluetooth, call/SMS alert display or standard integrated USB port on the base version.

Splendor+ XTEC adds an LCD console with digital speed, fuel level, odometer, trip information, service reminder and real-time mileage. Bluetooth provides call and SMS alerts. It also has a USB charging port, side-stand warning/cut-off and automatic idle stop-start. Navigation is not offered, so the phone still handles route guidance.

Lighting depends on XTEC variant. The entry XTEC uses a halogen headlamp and DRL. XTEC 2.0 adds the LED headlamp and hazard-light upgrade, while the separate XTEC Disc variant adds stronger front-brake hardware but may not share every 2.0 lighting element. Confirm the equipment on the exact stock unit.

Neither standard Splendor nor the drum XTEC has ABS. Both use 130mm drums with IBS. The optional XTEC front disc improves hardware but still does not turn the bike into an ABS-equipped motorcycle.

Design, Comfort & Practicality

The standard model looks traditional, with straightforward graphics and an analogue cockpit. XTEC brings contemporary colours and a more modern display, but the core silhouette stays recognisably Splendor. This restrained update is useful for buyers who want technology without a sport-bike riding position.

Both have a 785mm saddle, 112kg kerb weight, 165mm ground clearance, 1,236mm wheelbase and 9.8-litre fuel tank. The handlebar and footpegs create an upright posture, and the five-step rear shock adjustment helps accommodate a pillion or luggage.

Consequently, comfort should not decide between them unless dashboard readability matters. Traffic filtering, parking effort and pillion space are essentially the same. The XTEC console is more informative in daylight, while some buyers may prefer the instant familiarity of analogue needles.

Maintenance & Ownership

Mechanical maintenance is nearly identical because the engine, transmission, brakes and chassis are shared. Follow the prescribed service intervals, keep the chain correctly adjusted and check drum-brake free play and tyre pressure. Hero lists a five-year or 70,000km warranty subject to terms.

XTEC introduces a Bluetooth-enabled display and USB port, so buyers should verify phone compatibility, pairing behaviour and water-resistant covers during delivery. These additions do not normally change engine service cost, but replacement electronic parts can cost more than analogue equivalents after warranty. Ask the dealer for part prices rather than assuming.

Resale cannot be predicted reliably. Some used buyers value XTEC features; others favour the simpler standard model. Condition, documented servicing and local demand will matter more than a theoretical fixed premium.

Key Differences

 

Which One Should You Buy?

Choose the Splendor Plus if:

You want the lowest price within the Splendor family.

An analogue meter is sufficient.

You do not need phone alerts or a built-in charger.

You prefer fewer electronic features and the classic cockpit.

Choose the Splendor+ XTEC if:

Call and SMS alerts reduce the need to check your phone.

Real-time mileage and digital information matter daily.

A USB port is useful for navigation-heavy commuting.

Roughly ₹93 more per month fits the example budget.

The XTEC is the stronger value for feature-focused urban riders because the EMI increase is small. The standard Splendor remains the sensible choice for buyers who want the same engine, comfort and core economy at the lowest price. Do not upgrade expecting stronger acceleration: performance is unchanged.

Final Verdict

Splendor+ XTEC is the better-equipped 2026 buy, and its estimated monthly premium is small. The standard Splendor Plus remains the budget winner because it delivers the same performance and ergonomics. Use Drivio to compare city-specific on-road pricing and financing before deciding whether the connected features justify the upgrade.