Hyundai Alcazar

Hyundai has gained a lot of popularity in the country with its India-centric products, but no car in their lineup is as popular as the Creta. To capitalise on the existing fan base, the Hyundai Alcazar was launched in 2021, as a bigger and 7-seater version of the Creta, which competed with the likes of Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV700. 

In 2024, the Alcazar received a facelift, which gave it a fresh look, more premium interiors, better features, with a sharper focus on the rear-seat experience. Here’s a detailed report on who should consider the Alcazar, and why.

The Alcazar has followed Hyundai’s new design language, with a connected lighting setup and squarish design elements, but it no longer looks like a stretched-out Creta. It now has its own identity, and some of the inspiration comes from the Hyundai Palisade, which is available in international markets. 

Its face features an end-to-end connected lighting setup, H-shaped DRLs with sequential turn indicators, and horizontally-stacked LED headlamps. Hyundai has used horizontal lines throughout, in a bid to make the Alcazar look wider. For that SUV flavour, a chunky bumper and dull silver skid plate is on offer. 

From the side, the length is obvious, and you also realise that its silhouette remains unchanged. Here, it becomes clear that the Alcazar is an extended Creta, but it gets its own styling elements like the dual-tone 18-inch alloy wheels, silver cladding under the doors, and a much larger rear quarter glass. 

At the back, the connected tail lamps feature a similar H-shaped pattern, just placed vertically, and the entire connected element has been integrated neatly into a gloss black panel, which also houses the ‘Alcazar’ lettering. The boot is flat, completing the overall squarish look, and here you get dual-exhaust tips protruding out of a fairly large bumper.

I specifically like the lighting elements as they go well with this premium design and keep the design looking modern. The size also plays a role in its overall road presence, because the Alcazar does not go unnoticed. There aren’t any major dislikes in this design, but if I had to change one thing, I’d increase the size of the alloy wheels for a taller stance and to suit the size of the car. 

In terms of fit and finish, and paint quality — there are no complaints. Everything is solid, Hyundai has used the right mix of materials, nothing feels too much, and panel gaps are consistent throughout. 

This design as a whole is very premium and very rich looking, giving the Alcazar a very noticeable road presence. The best thing about this design is that it no longer resembles the Creta too much, giving the Alcazar the identity it deserves.

Design & Quality

The Alcazar is taller than the Creta, and has a slightly higher ground clearance as well. This requires you to make additional efforts to sit in and step out. While young people will be able to do it easily, it will be a little tiresome for the elderly in your family. Consider getting sidesteps if elders will use the car frequently.

With the facelift, the Creta got a brand new cabin design, and the same design has been used here, just in a different shade. The Alcazar gets this cabin in a navy blue and brown shade, which matches its premium and plush appeal. There are subtle chrome inserts on the door pads and centre console, and Hyundai has also used some amount of gloss black elements on the dashboard and AC panel.

For more premiumness, you also get soft touch padding on the door pads and centre armrest, and leatherette seat upholstery. All the plastics used in the cabin are of a good quality, nothing feels loose, the buttons are solid, and the overall quality is up to the mark. However, the material quality and the fit and finish is the same as the Creta, and since the Alcazar sits above it in terms of pricing, it should’ve delivered a more premium experience.

Front Seats

Coming to the front seats, there is ample amount of space, even for taller passengers. You get a good amount of headroom, there is enough space in the footwell, and both front seats are 6-way power adjustable for convenience. The steering wheel has both tilt and telescopic adjustment, which makes it easy to find your ideal driving position.

You do sit a little high while driving, even at the seat’s lowest position, but that in turn gives you a commanding driving position. The cushioning is balanced, which is good for both short and long journeys, the big bolsters provide good side support, and you get decent support from the headrests.

For more convenience while driving, the Alcazar comes with a large front armrest, which can be moved front or back based on your driving position.

2nd Row Experience

In the captain seats version, you get two individual seats which offer great space and a chauffeur-driver experience. There is ample headroom, legroom, kneeroom and footroom. But the highlight is the underthigh support, which can be adjusted as per your liking.

Both passengers get individual armrests and winged headrests, which offer great support on long journeys. The second row seats also slide and recline, which provides additional space and comfort.

In the 7-seater variants, passengers get a bench seat, which offers good space for three passengers. Underthigh support is not adjustable, but you’re unlikely to have any complaints in terms of headroom, shoulder room or leg room. Passengers get a centre armrest which comes with two cupholders.

Also, since the Alcazar is being projected by Hyundai as a chauffeur-driver car, the second row occupants get trays mounted on the front seats (which feature a slot to keep a phone or tablet, and individual cupholders), sunblinds for the rear windows, and a ‘boss’ mode that allows the rear occupants to move the co-driver’s seat using buttons the seat’s shoulder. 

As far as visibility is concerned, the second row passengers get big windows for outside visibility, and the small front headrests along with the cabin’s light theme provides good frontal visibility.

3rd Row Experience

To get to the third row, like in any other mass market three row car, you need to fold and tumble down the second row to make space. Thankfully, Alcazar gets one-touch-tumble to make the process easy, but only in the 7-seater variants. In the 6-seater variants, you’ll either have to slide the second row seat to make space, or you’ll have to get inside, and walk between the two captain seats to make your way to the third row. In both these cases, getting to the third row will require effort, and it won’t be easy on your back. This is much easier for children. 

Space in the third row is quite limited and is best used by kids. Hyundai does offer adjustable headrests in the third row, but the lack of headroom, kneeroom, and legroom means adults will feel cramped on longer journeys. Due to the seat base being small, and the floor being high, you’ll have to sit with your knees up, which will compromise your underthigh support.

Visibility here is decent. You get big quarter glasses to look outside, but compared to the second row windows, they’re half the size. Also, the second row headrests are fairly bigger, which reduce frontal visibility.

Storage & Practicality

Storage options in the Alcazar are as good as the Creta, if not better. All four doors get 1-litre bottle holders and small pockets on the side for smaller items. Front passengers get a cooled glovebox, an open storage on the dashboard, two cupholders in the centre console, a wireless charging pad which can be used to keep your phone or wallet, and storage under the centre armrest.

Second row passengers get two cupholders in the centre armrest (7-seater), two cupholders in the front seat mounted tray, seatback pockets, and a slot under the AC vents to keep their phone which doubles as a wireless phone charger.

Third row passengers get cupholders in the armrests with a small cubby to keep other items.

Charging Options

For charging options, Hyundai has offered a wireless phone charger, a type-C port, a USB port, and a 12V socket in the front. Second row passengers get two type-C ports and a wireless phone charger, and the third row occupants get one type-C port on each side.

Overall, the Alcazar offers a premium and spacious cabin experience, and it makes sure you get everything you need for your long journeys. Yes, the third row does have insufficient space for adults, but the overall package offered here will not leave you wanting for more.

Features

With the Alcazar, you get all the features of the Creta. The list of functional features is quite solid. Here’s what’s available: 

In addition to these features, it gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is the same size as the Creta, and gets the same user interface. It is easy to navigate, has a simple layout, and runs without lag. However, it has now started to feel a little outdated. 

This screen is paired with an 8-speaker BOSE sound system for a surround sound experience, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay runs smoothly. But, this wireless connectivity is possible only with a wired-to-wireless dongle, the price of which has been added to the price of the car.

Next to the touchscreen is a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display which gets multiple themes based on the drive modes, it displays your drive information in a neat and clean manner, and navigating through its setting is also easy. However, unlike driver displays of other brands like Tata, you cannot use this screen to display maps from Android Auto or Apple CarPlay like you can in the Tata Safari or Mahindra XUV700.

Hyundai has also offered a 360-degree camera which gets both 2D and 3D modes. The camera quality is good, the feed does not lag, and it even works well in low light conditions. On top of that, there is a blind view monitor, the feed of which is displayed on the driver’s display while indicating.

In terms of safety, the Alcazar comes with 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management (VSM), hill start assist, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), all-wheel disc brakes, rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and a rear parking camera as standard.

Higher variants get front parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, and an auto dimming IRVM. Top spec variants come with a Level 2 ADAS setup, which gets features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, high beam assist, rear cross traffic alert, and auto emergency braking.

This ADAS setup used both radar and camera, which makes it accurate and usable in low light conditions, and it has been tuned well for Indian conditions. But, it still needs proper lane markings to function properly.

The Hyundai Alcazar has not been crash tested yet by any agency.

When all three rows are up, you get 180-litres of boot space, which is enough for two cabin sized suitcases.

With the third row down, the boot space increases to 579-litres which is more than enough to keep a full suitcase set along with a few more overnight bags.

In the captain seats variants, the rear seats don;t fold flat, which means you don’t get a flat floor. This, along with a high loading lip, makes it a little difficult to load or unload luggage. One thing that feels missing here is a powered tailgate, which cars like the Hector and Safari offer.

The Alcazar gets a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine, both of which are the same as the Creta, and are offered in the same state of tune.

1.5-litre Turbo-petrol

This is the more powerful engine in the lineup, and offers a relaxed drive experience. Being a 4-cylinder unit, there are minimum vibrations, and the power delivery here is also smooth.

City Performance

The turbo-petrol would be our top pick as it provides a more effortless driving experience. In the city, you can easily navigate through bumper-to-bumper traffic, overtakes are easy, and this engine handles all tasks effortlessly.

Unlike the Creta, you don’t get a fun-to-drive experience here, due to the Alcazar’s large size and added weight. A more powerful turbo-petrol engine would have done the job.

The manual gearbox offers slick gearshits, the clutch is light, which makes it easy to live with. However, the DCT (dual clutch automatic transmission) offers a more convenient drive. It shifts gears on time smoothly.

The only drawback here is a low city fuel efficiency of around 8-9 kmpl.

Highway Performance

Here as well, the performance will not leave you wanting for more, unless you’re looking for a sporty or exciting drive experience. On the highways, you can easily get to triple digit speeds, overtakes will not require any planning, and you can easily cruise at high speeds.

The DCT quickly goes through gears, there is no noticeable jerk, and if you need to quickly overtake someone, the gearbox will downshift on time to give you the required power. Compared to driving in the city, on the highways, this engine provides a respectable fuel efficiency of around 14-15kmpl.

1.5-litre Diesel

This should be your pick if you prioritize fuel efficiency, but that high mileage comes at a cost. Just like the petrol engine, the diesel also delivers power in a smooth manner, and it is very refined for a diesel engine.

City Performance

Due to its high torque, driving inside the city is easy and effortless. It picks up speed quickly, and you can easily overtake others around you. Even in bumper-to-bumper traffic, this engine does not feel very eager, and you don’t need to worry about any sudden surge of power. 

The clutch isn’t particularly heavy, and the gear shifts are smooth here as well. You can drive around the city in second or third gear mostly without having to downshift very frequently. 

In case of the automatic, it gets a 6-speed torque converter, which is not as smooth as the DCT, and requires a split second extra to change gears. That said, it delivers on convenience. 

The upside to picking the diesel is a better fuel economy, as you can get around 12-14kmpl in the city.

Highway Performance

This is where things change. While the city performance is similar for both turbo-petrol and diesel, the latter feels a little dull on the highway. You can get to triple digits easily, and acceleration also feels smooth and linear, but the automatic here is not up to the mark.

With the automatic, the gears will need some time to change, the engine will occasionally get loud, and you’ll need to plan your overtakes. With the manual, this problem will go out of the way, but the overall performance will not be as good as the turbo-petrol.

As for fuel efficiency, you can get close to 18kmpl on the highway, and even more if you’re cruising at 80-90 kmph.

Ride Comfort

With less people on board, you’ll get a cushioned ride quality on most surfaces, but you’ll occasionally feel some road imperfections inside the cabin. It can handle small potholes and speed breakers with ease, but it’s best to slow down on deeper pothoes to avoid any sudden and unwanted side-to-side movement.

On the highways, it will handle undulations well, and you won’t feel much of the surface. Even during sudden lane changes, the cabin will remain stable, limiting any passenger movement.

Handling

The Alcazar is not a sporty car which you can just throw around a corner. It is a family car meant to be driven calmly. Nonetheless, it does handle itself well. Inside the city, the steering feels light and maneuvering is easy.

On the highway, the steering gains some weight at high speeds, which further inspires confidence. It handles sudden lane changes quite well too. 

Overall, the Alcazar manages to keep the passengers comfortable on most surfaces, and you’ll hardly feel the need to complain, but its rivals like the Safari and the XUV700 offer a much more comfortable ride quality, along with better handling.

• ​​​​The Hyundai Alcazar is offered in five different variants: Executive, Prestige, Corporate, Platinum, and Signature.

• 6-seater layout is available only with the top-spec Signature variant.

Executive

• Gets LED headlamps, LED tail lamps, H-shaped LED DRLs, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

• Cabin has a dual-tone theme, fabric seats, height adjustable driver seat, ambient lighting, and leatherette padding on the steering wheel and gear knob.

• Features include push button start stop, dual zone AC with rear AC vents, 2nd row trays, electrically adjustable & foldable ORVMs, and a coloured MID.

• Safety kit gets 6 airbags, electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system, hill start assist, ISOFIX mounts, rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera.

Prestige

• Available only with a turbo-petrol engine with both manual and automatic transmission options.

• Exterior upgrades include a shark fin antenna and chrome outside door handles.

• Cabin gets ambient lighting in the centre console (automatic variants only).

• Feature additions include a front wireless phone charger, a panoramic sunroof (petrol only), a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

• Safety kit gets an electronic parking brake with auto hold, hill descent control, and an auto-dimming IRVM.

Corporate

• Comes only with a diesel engine and gets both manual and automatic transmission options.

• Gets no change in terms of exterior and interior design.

• The panoramic sunroof is available here as well.

• Price premium is only for the diesel powertrain.

Premium

• Available with both petrol and diesel engine, but only with a manual transmission.

• Exterior gets 18-inch alloy wheels and the option for dual-tone shades.

• Cabin gets leatherette seat upholstery, 2nd row headrest cushion, and leather pack on the centre armrest.

• Feature additions include an 8-way powered driver seat,  2nd row wireless phone charger, an 8-speaker BOSE sound system, and a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display.

• Safety kit gets a 360-degree camera, a blind view monitor, and all Level 2 ADAS features except for adaptive cruise control.

Signature

• Available with both petrol and diesel engine, in both 6- and 7-seater configurations, but only with automatic transmissions.

• Interior and exterior get no major upgrades.

• Additional features include an 8-way powered co-driver seat, memory function for the driver seat, front row seat ventilation, 2nd row ventilated seats (6-seater), adjustable 2nd row underthigh support (6-seater), and winged headrests (6-seater).

• Safety kit gets adaptive cruise control.

CarDekho Recommends

• Pick the Prestige variant if you’re on a budget as it feels the most value for money. It gets a good looking design, a good feature and safety package, and both manual and automatic transmission options. Go for the Corporate if you want a diesel powertrain.

• The Premium variant should be your pick if you want a more premium experience. It gets a more upmarket cabin, better features, improved safety, and both petrol and diesel engines. Go for the top-spec Signature variant if you want an automatic transmission or a 6-seater layout.

While it offers more space and some additional features over the Creta, the reasons for purchasing the Alcazar remain largely the same. It’s essentially a premium version of the Creta, with better rear-seat comfort and significantly more boot space. For buyers who prioritise rear-seat comfort or are chauffeur-driven, the Alcazar’s new features are a big advantage. And since there isn't a huge price difference compared to the Creta, paying a little extra for these enhancements feels justifiable.

However, if you're looking for a true 6- or 7-seater, the Alcazar might fall short, and you should consider alternatives like the Kia Carens Clavis or Mahindra XUV700. But if you appreciate the practicality of the Creta and want the same in a larger, more premium package, the Alcazar is an excellent option.

Other Options To Consider

Kia Carens Clavis

Reasons To Consider

• Better third row space

• More comfortable ride quality

• Gets a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine

Reasons To Ignore

• Limited diesel automatic options

• Lacks the SUV look

Mahindra XUV700

Reasons To Consider

• Gets an AWD setup along with more powerful engine options

• Better third row space

Reasons To Ignore

• More expensive

• Feels outdated

Tata Safari

Reasons To Consider

• Better infotainment package

• More powerful diesel engine

• Better space

Reasons To Ignore

• No petrol or turbo-petrol engine on offer

• More expensive top-spec variant