inspire: congrats in advance, r u getting an auto or manual city. Anyway the issue is that the 1.3 IDSI engine is designed for economy in mind. And yes it is true it cannot compete in initial pick with xli but the iDSI really picks up speed beyond 80km/h so if you ever had a roll-on start type race your car can give tough time to any stock 1.3.
Setting that aside brother believe me city is a million times better than xli in technology, safety, gadgets, etc.
It has super quite engine with electric power steering!!
PS: wish they had continued production of 1.5 vtect steermatic coz that can surely smoke many 1.6 to hell (own one so i know)