At a Glance
Key differences that define each motorcycle
Hero Splendor Plus XTEC
- 97.2 cc Air-Cooled, 2-valve
- 8.02 PS @ 8000 rpm
- 73 km/l (ARAI)
- 9.8-litre tank
- 2 variants available
- Bluetooth digital console
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
- Segment-leading ARAI mileage
Full Specification Comparison
Every number that matters — side by side
| Specification | Hero Splendor Plus XTEC | 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 |
| Bore × Stroke | 50.0 × 49.5 mm | 53.5 × 48.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.9 : 1 | 10.0 : 1 |
| Emission Standard | BS6 Phase 2 (OBD2B) | BS6 Phase 2 |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Manual | 4-Speed Manual |
| Gear Shifting Pattern | All 4 gears down | All 4 gears down |
| Clutch | Wet Multiplate | Wet Multiplate |
| Top Speed | 90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Idle Stop-Start | Yes (i3S) | No |
| Riding Modes | No | No |
| Fuel & Range | ||
| Mileage (ARAI Certified) | 73 km/l | 83.09 km/l |
| Mileage (Real-world) | 60–68 km/l | ~70–75 km/l (estimated) |
| Fuel Tank | 9.8 litres | 10 litres |
| Reserve Capacity | 1.0 litre | 1.6 litres |
| Riding Range | ~650–715 km | ~600–680 km (estimated) |
| Brakes & Wheels | ||
| Braking System | IBS / CBS (Disc variant available) | SBS / CBS (Disc variant available) |
| Front Brake | 130 mm Drum / 240 mm Disc (variant dependent) | 130 mm Drum / 240 mm Disc (variant dependent) |
| Rear Brake | 130 mm Drum | 110 mm Drum |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Tyre Size (F / R) | 80/100-18 | 2.75×17 / 3.0×17 |
| Wheel Size | 18-inch | 17-inch |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
| Suspension & Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | Telescopic Hydraulic | Telescopic Hydraulic |
| Rear Suspension | 5-step Adjustable Hydraulic | 5-step Adjustable Hydraulic |
| Rear Preload Adjuster | Yes | Yes |
| Chassis | Tubular Double Cradle | Single Cradle Tubular Frame |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Kerb Weight | 112 kg | 115 kg |
| Seat Height | 785 mm | 785 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 165 mm | 172 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1236 mm | 1260 mm |
| Overall L × W × H | 1970 × 720 × 1045 mm | 1984 × 750 × 1080 mm |
| Features & Electronics | ||
| Instrument Console | Fully Digital | Semi-Digital (Analogue + Digital) |
| Speedometer | Digital | Analogue |
| Odometer | Digital | Digital |
| Fuel Gauge | Digital | Analogue |
| Tripmeter | Digital | Digital |
| Gear Indicator | Yes | No |
| Clock | Yes | Yes |
| Distance to Empty | Yes | No |
| Service Reminder | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | No |
| Call & SMS Alerts | Yes | No |
| Low Fuel Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| USB Charging Port | No | No |
| Headlight Type | Halogen | Halogen |
| DRLs | No | No |
| Brake / Tail Light | LED | Bulb |
| Turn Signals | Bulb | Bulb |
| Hazard Warning Lights | No | No |
| Side Stand Engine Cut-off | Yes | Yes |
| Start Type | Electric & Kick | Electric Start |
| Keyless Ignition | No | No |
| Traction Control | No | No |
| Price & Warranty | ||
| Starting Price (ex-showroom) | ₹78,647 | ₹72,025 |
| Top Variant Price | ₹81,689 | ₹75,548 |
| Number of Variants | 2 | 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 Variants
Star City Plus Variants
Pros & Cons
Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike
Pros
- Bluetooth connectivity with call & SMS alerts
- Fully digital speedometer, fuel gauge & console
- Gear indicator for easier gear selection
- Distance-to-empty and service reminder display
- LED brake/tail light for better rear visibility
- Electric & kick start — dual start convenience
- Idle stop-start (i3S) technology improves city mileage
- OBD2B — newer emission compliance level
- Better warranty km coverage (5yr / 70,000 km)
- Lighter at 112 kg vs 115 kg
- 18-inch wheels for better pothole absorption
Cons
- Higher starting price (₹78,647 vs ₹72,025)
- Lower ARAI mileage (73 km/l vs 83.09 km/l)
- Smaller 97.2 cc engine vs 109.7 cc
- Lower torque (8.05 Nm vs 8.7 Nm)
- Less ground clearance (165 mm vs 172 mm)
- Smaller 9.8-litre tank vs 10 litres
- No USB charging port
Pros
- Highest ARAI-certified mileage at 83.09 km/l
- Larger 109.7 cc engine — more low-end torque (8.7 Nm)
- Lower starting price at ₹72,025
- Disc variant also cheaper at ₹75,548
- Larger 10-litre tank with 1.6-litre reserve
- More ground clearance (172 mm)
- Longer wheelbase (1260 mm) for highway stability
- 5 free services within first year
- Clock on instrument cluster
- Disc brake option available at lower price
Cons
- No Bluetooth or mobile connectivity
- Semi-digital console — analogue speedometer and fuel gauge
- No gear indicator
- No distance-to-empty or service reminder
- Bulb tail light vs LED on XTEC
- Electric start only — no kick start backup
- Shorter warranty km limit (5yr / 60,000 km)
- Heavier at 115 kg
- 17-inch wheels vs 18-inch on XTEC
Key Differences Explained
What really sets these two bikes apart
Mileage — The Star City Plus's Biggest Win
This is the most decisive advantage in this comparison. The TVS Star City Plus carries an ARAI-certified 83.09 km/l — one of the highest official figures in the commuter segment — compared to the XTEC's already-strong 73 km/l. That is a 10+ km/l gap, which translates to meaningful fuel savings over thousands of kilometres. For a buyer who prioritises running cost above all else, the Star City Plus is the clear choice.
Digital Features & Connectivity
The XTEC leads comprehensively here. Its fully digital Bluetooth console includes call and SMS alerts, a gear indicator, distance-to-empty, service reminder, and a digital speedometer and fuel gauge. The Star City Plus uses a semi-digital cluster — analogue speedometer and fuel gauge with a digital odometer and tripmeter. It has a clock but no Bluetooth, no gear indicator and no service alerts.
Engine & Torque
The Star City Plus uses a 109.7 cc engine — 12.5 cc larger than the XTEC's 97.2 cc — producing 8.7 Nm torque at 4500 rpm compared to the XTEC's 8.05 Nm at 6000 rpm. The Star City Plus makes its peak torque at much lower rpm, giving it noticeably punchier low-speed pull which is especially useful in heavy city traffic. The XTEC's engine is smooth but revs higher to deliver its power.
Price & Value
The Star City Plus starts ₹6,622 cheaper (₹72,025 vs ₹78,647) and its disc variant at ₹75,548 is also ₹6,141 less than the XTEC disc at ₹81,689. However, the XTEC's Bluetooth features, fully digital console, gear indicator, better warranty coverage (70,000 km vs 60,000 km), LED tail light and OBD2B compliance justify a meaningful part of that premium for urban buyers who value connectivity.
Warranty & Service
Both bikes offer a 5-year warranty, but the XTEC covers 70,000 km while the Star City Plus covers 60,000 km — a 10,000 km difference. TVS, however, provides 5 free services in the first year (up to 12,000 km), while Hero provides 3 standard scheduled services. For high-mileage users, the XTEC's longer km warranty gives better long-term protection.
Ground Clearance & Ride
The Star City Plus has 172 mm ground clearance versus 165 mm on the XTEC — a 7 mm advantage that aids navigation over speed breakers and uneven roads in semi-urban and rural areas. The XTEC runs 18-inch wheels (vs 17-inch on the Star City Plus), which generally absorb bumps better at commuter speeds. Both suspension setups are 5-step adjustable at the rear, making them comparable for load adjustment.
Expert Verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the Splendor Plus XTEC if…
- Bluetooth connectivity and call/SMS alerts matter to you
- A fully digital speedometer and fuel gauge are preferred
- Gear indicator aids your riding comfort in city traffic
- Distance-to-empty and service reminders are useful daily
- LED tail light and OBD2B compliance are relevant to you
- You want better warranty km coverage (70,000 km)
- 18-inch wheels and kick start backup are priorities
- You prefer Hero's wider service network
Buy the Star City Plus if…
- Maximum ARAI-certified mileage (83.09 km/l) is your top priority
- Lower purchase price (₹6,622 cheaper at base) is decisive
- The larger 109.7 cc engine with more torque (8.7 Nm) appeals
- A 10-litre tank with 1.6-litre reserve suits your range needs
- More ground clearance (172 mm) matters on your daily roads
- Connectivity features are not important to your riding
- You want the disc variant at a lower price (₹75,548)
- You prefer TVS's 5 free services in the first year
Overall Winner: Depends on your priority. This is a genuinely close contest where the right choice hinges on what matters most to you. The TVS Star City Plus wins on mileage (83.09 km/l ARAI vs 73 km/l), price (₹6,622 cheaper), engine size, torque and ground clearance — making it the better choice for pure-economy buyers and rural or semi-urban riders. The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC wins on technology and ownership assurance — Bluetooth connectivity, fully digital console, gear indicator, distance-to-empty, service reminder, LED tail light, better warranty km coverage (70,000 km), and a kick start backup. For urban tech-forward commuters, the XTEC justifies its premium. For maximum fuel savings and a lower outlay, the Star City Plus is the smarter buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our experts
It depends on your priority. The TVS Star City Plus is better if maximum ARAI-certified mileage (83.09 km/l), lower purchase price, a larger 109.7 cc engine and more ground clearance matter most. The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC is better if Bluetooth connectivity, a fully digital console with call/SMS alerts and gear indicator, a disc brake option at a specific variant, LED tail light, and better warranty km coverage (70,000 km) are your priorities.
The TVS Star City Plus starts at ₹72,025 while the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC starts at ₹78,647 ex-showroom — a base difference of ₹6,622. At the disc brake variant level, the Star City Plus Disc costs ₹75,548 versus the XTEC Disc at ₹81,689 — a gap of ₹6,141. Both prices are ex-showroom India averages and may vary by city.
The TVS Star City Plus has significantly better ARAI-certified mileage at 83.09 km/l versus the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC's 73 km/l — a gap of over 10 km/l. Despite its slightly smaller 9.8-litre tank, the XTEC's higher efficiency keeps its riding range comparable. For fuel economy as a pure priority, the Star City Plus wins clearly on the official certified figure.
No, the TVS Star City Plus does not have Bluetooth connectivity. It features a semi-digital console with an analogue speedometer and analogue fuel gauge, along with a digital odometer, tripmeter and clock — but no mobile pairing, no call alerts and no SMS alerts. The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC offers Bluetooth with call and SMS alerts as standard on both its variants.
Both bikes offer a 5-year warranty, but the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC covers 70,000 km while the TVS Star City Plus covers 60,000 km. The XTEC provides 10,000 km more warranty coverage. However, TVS offers 5 free services within the first year (up to 12,000 km), which adds value in the early ownership period. For long-term high-mileage protection, the XTEC has the edge.
The TVS Star City Plus is slightly heavier at 115 kg kerb weight compared to the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC at 112 kg — a difference of 3 kg. Both are similarly manageable in city traffic, but the XTEC's marginal weight advantage helps slightly in tight manoeuvring. The Star City Plus compensates with more ground clearance (172 mm vs 165 mm) and a longer wheelbase (1260 mm vs 1236 mm) for better stability.