Hyundai Alcazar

The Hyundai Alcazar is a 6 or 7-seater SUV from Hyundai that is based on their bestseller Creta. The difference is that it sports a longer wheelbase and has three rows of seating for larger families. The Alcazar is available with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine with both power plants offering manual and automatic transmission options. The 2024 model has received a facelift that brings its design language up to date with the current Creta. It’s just been launched at an introductory pricing of Rs 14.99 lakh for the petrol and Rs 15.99 lakh for the diesel powertrain. 

So the Alcazar is now similar in looks to the updated Creta. This also means that like the Creta the new Alcazar also looks more universally appealing than the outgoing model. But let's delve into these changes a bit more and also point out how the Alcazar differs from the Creta. 

The face and rear end are the two ends which have received a bulk of the changes. The LED DRL signature is similar to the Creta in that it spans along the width of the car but there is a subtle difference in the ends. Here a distinct H pattern is visible on both ends above the headlamp units. The bottom of the H pattern also housed the LED sequential turn indicators.

The headlights are low-mounted below the H-pattern DRLs and are quad-beam LED headlamps. Like the Creta we expect them to perform well in low light conditions. The lower bumper is also different from the Creta. 

The side profile is similar to the outgoing Alcazar with a few subtle changes. The side skirting is new and there is a new design to the 18-inch alloy wheels. But a bigger more noticeable change is that the Alcazar has more protruding roof rails as compared to the older Alcazar and even the current Creta, which feature more flush-mounted roof rails. 

At the rear again there are wraparound DRL signature which also forms an H-pattern however this forms a single large H that spans across the car. The lower bumper is also different and like the outgoing Alcazar, it sports a dual-tip exhaust that gives the rear end a slightly sporty touch.

Overall the Alcazar looks more attractive than before and more over its a look that should appeal to a wider audience than before.

The interiors have also received a fairly large update both in terms of design as well as a feature boost.

Starting with the design it’s a lot similar to the Creta which means that it’s a cleaner design with two large screens up front and a more simple and clean design overall. The Alcazar gets a distinctive tan and blue design to the cabin now to differentiate it from the Creta and this feels both upmarket and bright. It should also be a lot easier to keep clean in our climate and conditions. 

In terms of space and comfort the first and 2nd row experiences are one of the best in the segment and in this price range both in terms of comfort and features. But the third row is only viable for really tiny adults or kids and something worth checking out when visiting the showroom for a test drive.

In terms of features, there’s 

• a 10.25-inch infotainment screen as well as a 10.25-inch driver's display featuring wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

• 8-speaker Bose sound system. 

• Powered front driver and passenger seats with a memory function for the driver's side. 

• Seat ventilation for the front and second rows

• Front and second-row wireless charging pads 

• Boss seat electronic adjustment for the passenger seat from the 2nd row 

• Panoramic sunroof

• Manual sunshades for the rear passengers 

• Dedicated air-con vents for third-row passengers with fans speed setting

And these are just the highlights, there is a lot more.

6-airbags are standard and there is Level 2 ADAS with 17 functions that include lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision warnings and adaptive cruise control with a stop-and-go function. In addition to this, there is the 360-degree camera and front and rear parking sensors.

Boot space seems the same as before (180 litres on the outgoing model) and can store just a few soft bags or backpacks when all three rows are in use. But in both the 6-seater and 7-seater variants the 3rd row folds down flat to free up a lot more space. 

The Alcazar powertrains are exactly the same as before. The 1.5-litre turbo petrol makes 160PS and 253Nm, and the 1.5-diesel makes 116PS and 250Nm. The petrol is available with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT automatic. The diesel is available with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

We expect the performance and drive experience to be the same as before in that both the petrol and diesel engines are refined and have adequate performance for general cruising around town. From driving the petrol in the Creta we know it delivers sprightly performance when pushed and it will be interesting to see how it behaves in the larger Alcazar. 

With the diesel, we expect cool calm cruising when driving around town and only a little planning needed for overtakes when fully loaded.

The old Alcazar and the new Creta were amongst the more accomplished riding and handling cars in ther respective segments and we would expect the new Alcazar to deliver a similar experience. We will update this space as soon as we drive the new Alcazar. 

The Alcazar is a great option for those looking for a spacious yet compact SUV for a large family. The interiors, features and powertrain options give you practically every creature comfort that you would want in a family car. However, the space on offer in the third row is only meant for small kids and tiny adults and is something that you should check out once before making your buying decision. That said, for what it is, how it’s priced and what it offers, you should consider the Hyundai Alcazar.