At a Glance
Key differences that define each motorcycle
Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0
- 97.2 cc Air-Cooled, 2-valve
- 8.02 PS @ 8000 rpm
- 73 km/l (ARAI)
- 9.8-litre tank
- Bluetooth on all variants
- CBS braking system
TVS Star City Plus
- 109.7 cc Air-Cooled, 2-valve
- 8.19 PS @ 7350 rpm
- 83.09 km/l (ARAI)
- 10-litre tank
- 2 variants available
- Lower starting price
Full Specification Comparison
Every number that matters — side by side
| Specification | Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0 | TVS Star City Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | ||
| Displacement | 97.2 cc | 109.7 cc |
| Cooling System | Air-Cooled | Air-Cooled |
| Max Power | 8.02 PS @ 8000 rpm | 8.19 PS @ 7350 rpm |
| Max Torque | 8.05 Nm @ 6000 rpm | 8.7 Nm @ 4500 rpm |
| Valves per Cylinder | 2 | 2 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.9 : 1 | 10.0 : 1 |
| Bore × Stroke | 50.0 × 49.5 mm | 53.5 × 48.8 mm |
| Emission Standard | BS6 Phase 2 (OBD2B) | BS6 Phase 2 |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Manual | 4-Speed Manual |
| Top Speed | 90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Riding Modes | No | No |
| Idle Stop-Start | Yes (i3S) | No |
| Fuel & Range | ||
| Mileage (ARAI) | 73 km/l | 83.09 km/l |
| Mileage (Real-world) | 60–68 km/l | ~70–75 km/l (est.) |
| Fuel Tank | 9.8 litres | 10 litres |
| Reserve Capacity | 1 litre | 1.6 litres |
| Riding Range (approx.) | ~650–700 km | ~600–680 km (est.) |
| Brakes & Wheels | ||
| Braking System | CBS (Integrated Braking System) | SBS (Synchronized Braking System) |
| Front Brake | Drum – 130 mm | Drum 130 mm / Disc 240 mm (variant) |
| Rear Brake | Drum – 130 mm | Drum – 110 mm |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Tyre Size (F / R) | 80/100-18 (F & R) | 2.75×17 / 3.0×17 |
| Wheel Type | Cast Alloy | Alloy |
| Suspension & Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Hydraulic | Telescopic Hydraulic |
| Rear Suspension | 2-step Adjustable Hydraulic | 5-step Adjustable Hydraulic |
| Chassis | Tubular Double Cradle | Single Cradle Tubular Frame |
| Rear Preload Adjuster | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Kerb Weight | 112 kg | 115–116 kg |
| Seat Height | 805 mm | 785 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 165 mm | 172 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1235 mm | 1260 mm |
| Overall L × W × H | 1965 × 720 × 1045 mm | 1984 × 750 × 1080 mm |
| Features & Electronics | ||
| Instrument Console | Fully Digital | Analogue + Digital |
| Headlight | Halogen + LED Position Lamp | Halogen |
| DRLs | LED Position Lamp | No |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | No |
| Call & SMS Alerts | Yes | No |
| Real Time Mileage Indicator (RTMI) | Yes | No |
| Distance to Empty | Yes | No |
| Service Reminder | Yes | No |
| Gear Indicator | Yes | No |
| Tachometer | No | No |
| Hazard Warning Lights | Yes | No |
| USB Charging Port | No | No |
| Keyless Ignition | No | No |
| Traction Control | No | No |
| Side Stand Engine Cut-off | Yes | Yes |
| Start Type | Kick & Electric | Electric Start |
| Price & Warranty | ||
| Starting Price (ex-showroom) | ₹81,060 | ₹72,025 |
| Top Variant Price | ₹81,060 | ₹75,548 |
| Number of Variants | 1 | 2 |
| Standard Warranty | 5 Years / 70,000 km | 5 Years / 60,000 km |
★ Green highlights indicate the stronger value in each row. Prices are ex-showroom India averages and may vary by city.
Variant-wise Price Comparison
All variants laid out — find the right one for your budget
Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0 Variants
Star City Plus Variants
Pros & Cons
Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike
Pros
- Bluetooth digital console with RTMI for fuel tracking
- Call & SMS alerts and gear indicator
- i3S idle stop-start improves city mileage
- LED position lamp (DRL) for visibility
- Hazard warning lights standard
- Service reminder via instrument console
- Distance to empty indicator
- Superior 5-year / 70,000 km warranty
- Lighter kerb weight at 112 kg
- Both kick and electric start
Cons
- Lower ARAI mileage (73 km/l vs 83.09 km/l)
- Smaller 97.2cc engine, less power and torque
- Higher starting price (₹81,060 vs ₹72,025)
- No disc brake option on any variant
- No USB charging port
- Smaller reserve tank (1 litre vs 1.6 litres)
- Less ground clearance (165 mm vs 172 mm)
Pros
- Best-in-class ARAI mileage of 83.09 km/l
- Larger 109.7cc engine — more displacement and torque
- Significantly lower starting price (₹72,025)
- Front disc brake available (₹75,548 variant)
- 5-step adjustable rear suspension
- Larger 1.6-litre reserve tank
- Better ground clearance (172 mm)
- Longer wheelbase (1260 mm) for stability
Cons
- No Bluetooth or mobile connectivity
- No gear indicator, no service reminder
- No RTMI or distance-to-empty display
- Analogue + digital console — less modern
- No DRLs, no hazard warning lights
- No idle stop-start technology
- Lower warranty km coverage (60,000 km vs 70,000 km)
- Heavier at 115–116 kg
Key Differences Explained
What really sets these two bikes apart
Engine & Performance
The Star City Plus uses a 109.7cc engine producing 8.19 PS and 8.7 Nm — giving it a meaningful advantage in low-end pull and rideability over the XTEC 2.0's 97.2cc motor making 8.02 PS and 8.05 Nm. The larger displacement also makes it more relaxed at sustained city speeds. Both are air-cooled, 2-valve, 4-speed units with broadly similar top speeds of 90 km/h.
Fuel Efficiency & Range
The Star City Plus leads convincingly with an ARAI-certified 83.09 km/l versus the XTEC 2.0's 73 km/l — a gap of over 10 km/l. Real-world figures also favour the Star City Plus. The Star City Plus also holds a larger 1.6-litre reserve tank compared to just 1 litre on the XTEC 2.0. On the other hand, the XTEC 2.0's i3S stop-start technology helps recover some efficiency in heavy stop-go traffic.
Braking & Safety
The Star City Plus has the edge here — its Disc variant (₹75,548) features a 240 mm front disc for confident stopping, while the XTEC 2.0 is only available with drum brakes on both axles. Both bikes use synchronized braking systems (CBS/SBS) that distribute braking force across wheels. For safety-conscious buyers, the Star City Plus Disc at ₹75,548 is still significantly cheaper than the XTEC 2.0's ₹81,060.
Technology & Connectivity
The XTEC 2.0 dominates this category. It features a fully digital instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity, Real Time Mileage Indicator (RTMI), Call & SMS alerts, gear indicator, service reminder, and distance-to-empty. The Star City Plus offers only a basic analogue-digital cluster with no smartphone integration, no gear indicator, no RTMI, and no service reminder — it is a no-frills commuter in terms of technology.
Warranty & Ownership
Both bikes offer a 5-year warranty, but the XTEC 2.0 covers 70,000 km while the Star City Plus covers 60,000 km. For daily commuters covering 15,000–20,000 km per year, the XTEC 2.0's extra 10,000 km of warranty coverage reduces the risk of expensive out-of-warranty repairs. Hero also has one of the widest service networks in India, further supporting low-cost ownership.
Price & Value
The Star City Plus wins convincingly on price — it starts at ₹72,025, which is ₹9,035 less than the XTEC 2.0 at ₹81,060. Even the Star City Plus Disc variant at ₹75,548 undercuts the XTEC 2.0 by ₹5,512, while additionally offering a front disc brake. For budget-conscious buyers who don't need connectivity features, the Star City Plus delivers significantly better value per rupee.
Expert Verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0 if…
- Bluetooth connectivity and a digital console matter to you
- You want Call & SMS alerts, gear indicator and RTMI
- i3S stop-start for better city fuel savings is useful
- Service reminder and distance-to-empty are important
- You prefer Hero's extensive service network
- The superior 70,000 km warranty coverage is a priority
- Lighter kerb weight (112 kg) appeals to you
Buy the TVS Star City Plus if…
- Maximum fuel efficiency (83.09 km/l ARAI) is your priority
- You want the lowest entry price (₹72,025)
- A front disc brake at ₹75,548 suits your budget better
- A larger 109.7cc engine with more torque appeals to you
- Better ground clearance (172 mm) helps on your roads
- 5-step adjustable rear suspension matters
- You don't need smartphone connectivity features
Overall Winner for Most Budget Buyers: TVS Star City Plus. Superior ARAI mileage of 83.09 km/l, a larger 109.7cc engine with more torque, a significantly lower starting price (₹72,025), the option of a front disc brake at ₹75,548, better ground clearance and a larger reserve tank make the Star City Plus the stronger overall value proposition for the budget-conscious Indian commuter. However, choose the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0 if modern tech features — Bluetooth, digital console, RTMI, gear indicator, i3S, and Call & SMS alerts — are important to you and you are willing to pay a premium for them along with the better 70,000 km warranty coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our experts
The TVS Star City Plus is better for most budget buyers — it offers superior ARAI mileage of 83.09 km/l, a larger 109.7cc engine, a lower starting price (₹72,025) and a front disc brake option at ₹75,548. The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0 is better if you want Bluetooth connectivity, a fully digital console, Real Time Mileage Indicator, Call & SMS alerts, i3S stop-start technology, and a 70,000 km warranty.
The TVS Star City Plus Drum starts at ₹72,025 while the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0 is priced at ₹81,060 ex-showroom — a difference of ₹9,035. Even the Star City Plus Disc variant at ₹75,548 is ₹5,512 cheaper than the XTEC 2.0, and additionally offers a front disc brake. Both prices are for India and may vary by city.
The TVS Star City Plus has significantly better ARAI mileage at 83.09 km/l compared to the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0's 73 km/l. The gap is over 10 km/l in official figures. Real-world mileage for the XTEC 2.0 is approximately 60–68 km/l. The XTEC 2.0's i3S technology helps close this gap slightly in stop-go city traffic by cutting the engine at idle.
The TVS Star City Plus produces slightly more power at 8.19 PS @ 7350 rpm versus the XTEC 2.0's 8.02 PS @ 8000 rpm. More notably, the Star City Plus generates higher torque at 8.7 Nm @ 4500 rpm compared to 8.05 Nm @ 6000 rpm — and its peak torque arrives much lower in the rev range, giving it better low-speed pull for city riding. This is aided by its larger 109.7cc displacement versus 97.2cc.
Yes, the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0 comes standard with a Bluetooth-enabled fully digital instrument console that supports Call & SMS alerts from a connected smartphone, along with Real Time Mileage Indicator (RTMI), gear indicator and service reminder. The TVS Star City Plus does not offer any Bluetooth or mobile connectivity on any variant.
Both bikes offer a 5-year warranty, but in kilometre coverage the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0 covers 70,000 km while the TVS Star City Plus covers 60,000 km. For daily commuters riding 15,000–20,000 km per year, the XTEC 2.0's extra 10,000 km of warranty coverage can mean up to one additional year of coverage against unexpected repair costs.