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Expert Review on Hyundai New Alcazar
Pros
- Handsome Looking Suv
- Loaded With Features
- Very Engaging Drive
Cons
- Not So Spacious Cabin
- No 1.4L Turbo Petrol
- Cramped Third Row
If you are keen on buying a city friendly three-row family SUV but with occasional last row use then the Alcazar should sit high up on your priority list. It's easy to live with compared to rival three-row SUVs. Its feature-loaded, comfortable and the pricing is quite competitive in higher variants against the competition.
The Hyundai Alcazar is a seven-seater SUV derived from the popular Creta, offering increased space, features, and performance. As the only 7-seater in Hyundai's lineup, it competes with vehicles like the Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus, and Mahindra XUV700. Initially launched in 2022 with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 1.5-liter turbo diesel engine, Hyundai updated the Alcazar in 2023 with a smaller but more potent 1.5-liter turbo petrol engine that meets RDE and e20 compliance standards. How does this change affect the Alcazar's appeal?
The Alcazar shares a resemblance to the Creta in the front but incorporates subtle differences, including a modified grille, new LED headlights, and a lower chrome strip. A longer wheelbase and extended rear overhang are noticeable in the side profile, accommodating the third row of seats. The rear showcases new LED taillights, a revamped bumper, and a faux skid plate. Additionally, the Alcazar boasts fresh 18-inch alloy wheels and roof rails, giving it a more pronounced SUV presence. While the design exudes elegance and a premium feel, it may not stand out significantly from the Creta.
The Alcazar's interior is spacious and comfortable, particularly for occupants in the first and second rows. The third row is best suited for children or short journeys due to limited legroom and headroom. The cabin boasts leather upholstery, soft-touch materials, and ambient lighting. While the dashboard resembles the Creta's, it features a dual-tone theme and silver accents. The Alcazar comes equipped with a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a Bose sound system, BlueLink connected car features, wireless charging, air purifier, panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, and a digital instrument cluster. Unique features include a second-row console armrest with cup holders and storage, a blind view monitor displaying the side view on the instrument cluster when changing lanes, and a puddle lamp projecting 'Alcazar' on the ground.
Safety is a strong point for the Alcazar, with standard features like six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, hill start assist, a tire pressure monitoring system, rear parking sensors and camera, and ISOFIX child seat anchors across all variants. Higher variants benefit from front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, blind spot detection, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control as part of the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). While the Alcazar has not undergone crash testing by any agency, Hyundai claims it's built with high-strength steel and hot stamping technology for robustness.
The Alcazar offers two engine options: a 1.5-liter turbo petrol generating 158 bhp and 253 Nm of torque and a 1.5-liter turbo diesel producing 113 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. Both engines can be paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The new 1.5-liter turbo petrol engine for 2023 replaces the previous, less powerful and less efficient 2.0-liter naturally aspirated unit. The new engine is RDE and e20 compliant, allowing it to run on petrol blended with up to 20 percent ethanol. The petrol engine delivers a smooth and refined performance with linear power delivery, minimal turbo lag, and ample power for city and highway driving, including overtaking and cruising. The automatic transmission offers quick and smooth shifts, complete with paddle shifters for manual control. Meanwhile, the diesel engine is the same as the Creta's, but re-tuned for the heavier Alcazar. It excels in low-end torque and drivability but becomes noisy and strained at higher revs, making it better suited for those prioritising fuel economy over performance.
The Alcazar's soft suspension setup adeptly absorbs road imperfections, providing a comfortable ride. However, it results in some body roll and vertical movement at higher speeds and over sharp undulations. The steering is light for city maneuvering but lacks precision and feedback at higher speeds and in cornering. Braking performance is adequate but could be more responsive and progressive. The Alcazar also offers three drive modes (Eco, City, and Sport) and three traction modes (Snow, Sand, and Mud) that adjust engine, transmission, and steering characteristics to suit road conditions and driver preferences. While not particularly engaging or agile, the Alcazar provides a comfortable and relaxed ride for passengers.
Pricing for the Alcazar ranges from Rs. 16.78 lakh to Rs. 20.64 lakh (ex-showroom) for the petrol variants and from Rs. 17.73 lakh to Rs. 21.23 lakh (ex-showroom) for the diesel variants. The Alcazar is more expensive than the Creta but offers greater space, features, and performance for the additional cost. It also competes effectively with rivals like the Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus, and Mahindra XUV700, offering a competitive price point along with superior equipment.
The Alcazar offers four variants: Prestige, Platinum, Signature, and Signature (O). The Prestige variant, serving as the base model, includes essential features such as six airbags, ESC, hill start assist, a tire pressure monitoring system, rear parking sensors and camera, ISOFIX child seat anchors, LED headlights and taillights, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, BlueLink connected car features, wireless charging, air purifier, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, and a digital instrument cluster. The Platinum variant builds upon this, adding more features like front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, blind spot detection, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control as part of the ADAS package. The Signature variant represents the top-tier option, offering exclusive features like a second-row console armrest with cup holders and storage, a blind view monitor for side-lane changes, and a puddle lamp projecting 'Alcazar' on the ground. The Signature (O) variant is identical to the Signature but offers a dual-tone exterior color option.
We recommend the Prestige variant for those seeking a cost-effective SUV with all essential features and safety equipment. The Platinum variant is ideal for those desiring added convenience and comfort features, such as the ADAS package and the 360-degree camera. The Signature variant is suitable for those seeking premium and exclusive features like the second-row console armrest and the blind view monitor. The Signature (O) variant is for those who prefer a dual-tone exterior colour option.
The Alcazar competes with other three-row SUV cars in the Indian market:
Tata Safari: The Tata Safari offers style and space, boasting a powerful diesel engine, a smooth automatic transmission, comfortable ride quality, and an extensive list of features. However, it lacks a petrol engine option, carries a higher price than the Alcazar.
MG Hector Plus: The MG Hector Plus is a feature-rich and tech-savvy SUV with a hybrid petrol engine option, a panoramic sunroof, an electric tailgate, a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and an AI-based voice assistant. It provides ample cabin space and decent ride quality. However, it suffers from a weak diesel engine, a sluggish automatic transmission, subpar handling dynamics, and questionable post-purchase service.
Mahindra XUV700: The Mahindra XUV700 is a new entrant in the segment, promising a compelling value proposition. It offers potent petrol and diesel engines, an optional all-wheel-drive system, an advanced ADAS package with features like autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assist, a spacious cabin, a large sunroof with Amazon Alexa integration, and an attractive pricing strategy. Yet, it has not been launched, and its real-world performance and quality are yet to be tested.
The Alcazar distinguishes itself by offering a well-rounded package of space, features, performance, and pricing. Hyundai's reputable brand image and service network in India give it an edge. However, it faces the challenge of setting itself apart from the Creta and appealing to customers seeking more excitement or exclusivity from their SUVs.
Also, check out our in-depth Review: 2023 Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 Turbo DCT Review: Smaller But Stronger.
2023 Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 Turbo Petrol Driven- Smaller But Stronger | First Drive | [Video]
They say there's no replacement for displacement but the advent of stricter emission norms means that carmakers have found a way to get over that hurdle. The new Hyundai Alcazar is now powered by a smaller 1.5-litre turbo petrol instead of the bigger 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine. Is it any good? Find out with Dhruv Attri! Watch now
What's New?
Hyundai has revealed the facelifted Alcazar three-row SUV ahead of its launch in India next month. The carmaker has also opened bookings for the SUV against the payment of a token amount of Rs 25,000. The facelifted Alcazar gets notable styling changes to the front and rear with the fascia getting similar design elements as the Creta facelift. The interior however still remains under wraps though we expect the cabin to share much with the Creta as well.
Starting with the looks, the facelifted Alcazar look more muscular and upright than before. The design is reminiscent of the Creta with its split, vertically-stacked headlights and large rectangular grille. Still, there are plenty of unique design elements for it to stand out. H-shaped LED DRL units bookend the lightbar element at the base of the bonnet while a body-coloured panel below separates the DRLs from the grille. The rectangular grille lower down is flanked by the headlights with the entire section finished in a singular black tone. The faux skid plate element below adds to the SUV’s more muscular design and houses the opening for the prominent air vent.
Down the sides, little has changed with the Alcazar with the most notable updates coming in the form of the new roof rails and the 18-inch alloy wheels on the top variants.
The rear, meanwhile, looks to take some design inspiration from Hyundai SUVs sold abroad with new vertically oriented tail lamps connected by a full-width lightbar. The Alcazar badging, which previously was embossed onto the number plate housing trim is now housed within the clear lens of the lightbar. Down below, the SUV gets a new more squared-up bumper with a prominent skid-plate element and the twin-exit exhaust finisher.
Hyundai says that the Alcazar facelift will be offered in four trim levels - Executive, Prestige, Platinum and Signature - and in two cabin layouts - 6-seat or 7-seat. Hyundai says that the new Alcazar will offer “hi-tech and plush interiors” though any updates to the interior design are yet to be revealed. On the feature front, Hyundai has said that the Alcazar will come with over 70 connected car functions as well as over 70 safety features - including ADAS - on top variants. Expect features such as the 10.25-inch displays, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree cameras, wireless chargers for the front and middle rows, and drive and traction modes to also be carried over.
Moving to the powertrains, the Alcazar will continue to be offered with either a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol or a 1.5-litre diesel engine option. Both units will be offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard. The turbo-petrol will also get the option of a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic while the diesel will also be available with a 6-speed torque converter automatic.
Other Upcoming Hyundai Models are the New Kona Electric and Creta EV
Latest Videos On New Alcazar
Hyundai New Alcazar has 17 videos of detailed review, pros & cons, comparison & variant explained, test drive experience, features, specs, interior & exterior details and more.
- 2023 Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 Turbo Petrol Driven- Smaller But Stronger | First Drive
- Sponsored: Hyundai Alcazar Customization Options Galore
- Sponsored: Hyundai Alcazar Gets Stunning Looks And Is Big On Safety
- Sponsored: Hyundai Alcazar Sets The Benchmark With Best-In-Segment Features
- Tata Safari vs Hyundai Alcazar: Comparison Review | SUV Comparison | carandbike
Latest Reviews On New Alcazar
![The only 7-seater in the Hyundai lineup gets a 1.5-litre unit instead of the bigger 2.0-litre unit! Is that a bad thing?](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.carandbike.com%2Fcms%2FHyundai_Alcazar_2023_11_4a3d939d4e.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
![The Hyundai Alcazar is not just what the MG Hector Plus is to Hector or the Tata Safari is to Harrier. With the Alcazar, Hyundai actually went the extra mile and modified its platform making it fairly accommodating for six or seven and powerful enough to carry that much load with ease.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fc.ndtvimg.com%2F2021-07%2Fdlk0n4o8_hyundai-alcazar-vs-hyundai-creta_625x300_21_July_21.jpg&w=640&q=75)
![The 3-row Hyundai Alcazar SUV runs on the same diesel engine which powers the 5-seater Creta compact SUV. How does it perform on this longer, heavier car? We try to find out.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fc.ndtvimg.com%2F2021-06%2Fihhvo69o_hyundai-alcazar_625x300_24_June_21.jpg&w=640&q=75)
![Welcome the Hyundai Alcazar - the latest SUV to drive into our market. For months we called it the three-row Creta, or the long-wheelbase Creta! But now it has its own unique identity and there is a lot to talk about when you look at the Hyundai Alcazar.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fc.ndtvimg.com%2F2021-06%2Fuommnbj8_hyundai-alcazar-petrol-20-mpi-review_625x300_25_June_21.jpg&w=640&q=75)
![The Hyundai Alcazar is here, and we had a chance to briefly experience the SUV in the flesh, and spend some time with its camouflaged version, ahead of its global debut.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fc.ndtvimg.com%2F2021-04%2Fm8mld8q4_hyundai-alcazar-the-first-encounter_625x300_08_April_21.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Latest News On New Alcazar
![Hyundai has shared first images of the interior of the refreshed Alcazar showcasing notable changes to the cabin design.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.carandbike.com%2Fcms%2Farticles%2F2024%2F8%2F3205535%2FHyundai_Alcazar_facelift_27171904a5.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
![Facelifted Alcazar gets styling updates in line with the refreshed Creta and retains the powertrain options from the outgoing model.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.carandbike.com%2Fcms%2Farticles%2F2024%2F8%2F3214270%2FHyundai_Alcazar_facelift_1_3dac41d4be.jpg&w=640&q=75)
![The Alcazar facelift will get a similar design update as the Creta along with packing in more kit.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.carandbike.com%2Fcms%2Farticles%2F2024%2F7%2F3213921%2FHyundai_Alcazar_facelift_test_mule_7095377624.jpg&w=640&q=75)
![The launch plan of the Hyundai Alcazar has now been deferred to May for the time being and could also be pushed ahead to June if the number of COVID positive cases continue to spiral on.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fc.ndtvimg.com%2F2021-04%2Fsit4usig_hyundai-alcazar_625x300_08_April_21.jpg&w=640&q=75)
![The Hyundai Alcazar is not just three-row derivative of the Hyundai Creta as the Korean carmaker has made modifications to its underpinnings as well giving it a 150 mm longer wheelbase than the Creta.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fc.ndtvimg.com%2F2021-06%2Fqtc3k5c8_hyundai-alcazar_625x300_18_June_21.jpg&w=640&q=75)
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