Hyundai Alcazar Review: 2.0 MPi Petrol SUV Driven

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. Shams and I spent a substantial amount of time with the car and we have got all the details for you. So read on for the petrol engine car's review, as well as its main features. Further below you will also find a link to the Alcazar's tech review - for all its gadgets and connectivity details. Hyundai has jumped on the 3 row bandwagon with the Alcazar. It's not the company's first one though, as the Santa Fe had three rows too, but then it was no mass product. The Alcazar is. Named for Moorish castles from Spain, the Alcazar is Hyundai's bid to attract the interest of the mass premium buyer, not just those who want a 6 or 7 seater. The Alcazar is a midsize SUV but yes it's definitely based on the smaller Creta. But it goes beyond being simply a Creta+ - let me explain how.

Also Read: Hyundai Alcazar Diesel Review

The Alcazar's grille stretches out into the headlamp cluster and is wider, making the car look more imposing

Design

So the Alcazar's front grill is very distinct and that is where you will see a significant difference from the Creta. The Alcazar's grille stretches out into the headlamp cluster and is wider, making the car look more imposing. It also has a dark chrome finish, to make it look different. Why the logo is still finished in shiny white chrome baffles me. A lot else about the car will keep reminding of the Creta. But at the rear is where it is again its own car. The tailgate and lights are new, and you also get a d-pillar with a large glass treatment that makes the car look a lot bigger too. And it is actually bigger, since overall length is 200 mm more than the Creta's and the 150 mm wheelbase too is a part of that. The car also gets a running footboard and puddle lamps mounted below the side mirrors that project the Hyundai logo on the ground in the dark. The top trim gets very distinct 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels, while the base Prestige trim gets 17-inchers. There are 6 body colours to choose from including the new Taiga Brown that I am driving. And there are 2 dual-tone black roof options as well, that are available only on the top trim - in grey and white.

Also Read: Hyundai Alcazar SUV Launched In India, Prices Start At Rs. 16.30 Lakh

The new Alcazar will be offered as both, a 6- and 7-seater SUV with a host of smart creature comforts

Tech and Interior

Inside, the Alcazar has two layout options. 6 and 7 seater. On all 3 variants - Prestige, Platinum and Signature you can choose between captain seats or a bench seat on the second row. But if you want an automatic, well, then it's only a 6 seater variant you can have. In fact the 7 seater is only available on some of the Prestige or Platinum trim variants. So even Hyundai is anticipating higher sales for the 6 seater it seems. I have the 6 seater, while Shams will tell you more about the 7-seater configuration. I also have the top end Signature trim, so this car is loaded to the gills with features.

Also read: Top 5 Highlights: 2021 Hyundai Alcazar

The Hyundai Alcazar's 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system is also equipped with Bluelink connected car technology

Everything from the ambient lighting to the 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless charger up front to Hyundai's blue-link connectivity suite are standard. Only the base manual (Prestige) does not get the air purifier thought he automatic and all other variants do! The base also has an Arkamys sound system and a 7-inch digital screen as a part of a conventional instrument cluster. The mid and top trims get a Boise sound system and a 10.25-inch virtual instrument cluster. That also has four themed design layouts to choose from so you can customise the display you see. That is pretty cool. More on the tech and connectivity though from Sahil. The big panoramic sunroof is also standard.

Also Read: Hyundai Alcazar: All You Need To Know

The two second row seats get a console between them, which houses a wireless charger and some storage

To me the 6 seat layout is the one to buy as it is definitely more comfortable. But if you need the extra space, Shams will tell you more on that in the 7-seater review. In the 6-seater you have captain seats, but you cannot access the third row from in between them, and so you still need to tumble fold the seat to get back there. That is easy to do though, so it is fine. The two second row seats get a console between them, that though placed too far ahead in my opinion, to serve as a comfortable armrest, is still nice to have. The console houses a wireless charger, and some storage. That's only on the top trims. The seat is comfy but lacks under thigh support. The third row has USB points, AC vents and cupholders, but are is best suited for kids. The isofix child seat mounts are only in row two, so it kind of defeats the purpose. That is true of 99 per cent of three-row cars though. For more details on the third row, duck to Shams' review. He has also covered the cargo space you get and the various boot configurations. Suffice to say here that boot volume ranges from 180 to 579 litres. The Creta has 433 litres.

Also read: Hyundai Alcazar vs Tata Safari vs MG Hector Plus vs Mahindra XUV500: Spec Comparison

The Hyundai Alcazar petrol comes with a more powerful 2.0 Petrol engine that churns out 157 bhp and 191 Nm of peak torque

New Petrol Engine

Hyundai has differentiated the Creta with the Alcazar in one more very important aspect. The SUV gets both Petrol and Diesel engines but the Petrol heart hasn't been borrowed from the 5-seater SUV. Instead it is the more powerful 2.0 Petrol engine that churns out 157 bhp and 191 Nm of peak torque. It is available with both 6-speed manual and torque convertor Automatic, both giving a fuel efficiency of around 14.5 kmpl. The manual does a 0-100 speeds in 9.5 seconds. Now if Hyundai wanted to make this car nice and sporty, and quick - it could have gone with a different turbo engine option one that is larger than the current turbo family we are seeing in India because well it has bigger engines globally. So, me personally? I'd have loved to see the 1.6 or 2.5 turbo on it. But it came down to the cost factor. The idea was also to make the Alcazar attractive on price, and I am not complaining too much as this engine is also pretty good.

The 2-litre engine is quite refined and responsive as well, the power delivery is good, and with the paddles you can also downshift quickly

The auto box works fairly well, though it is not as quick as the DCT we have now been used to on high-end Hyundais. Despite increasing the length of the car it handles alright. In fact the body roll has not gone up too much. There is some at high speeds, but I was comfortably able to put the car through its paces. This 2-litre engine have been around for a while (you have seen it on the Elantra too), however this one has been given several updates and enhancements. It's the refinement which really comes through, and it is a lot more responsive. The power delivery is good, and with the paddles you can also downshift quickly and get a good response from the motor. On all the automatic trims Hyundai has added 3 drive modes: Comfort Eco and Sport - like on the Creta. That also means you get 3 traction control modes called snow, sand, mud. On the Petrol the 6 seater version is available on all but the Platinum manual trim, while the 7 seater is only on Prestige and Platinum versions.

Barring the surround view camera, side and curtain airbags an front parking sensors - everything else is standard

Safety

While we have no crash test results on the Alcazar, it does get a lot of safety features as standard. Barring the surround view camera, side and curtain airbags an front parking sensors - everything else is standard. This includes dual airbags, isofix child seat mounts, tyre pressure monitoring reverse camera, rear parking sensors and more. The Platinum and Signature trims also get the blind view monitor function that I love. It means that when you use an indicator, a camera mounted on the outside mirror shows you the blind spot display behind you, on that side. The display shows up in the virtual instrument cluster - and even if replaces a dial, like say speed - the numeric value will still show so you don't lose out on any crucial driving info while making the manoeuvre.

Hyundai is offering 13 trims in all for the Alcazar and prices start at Rs. 16.3 lakh, going up to Rs. 20.14 lakh

Prices

Hyundai has launched the Alcazar starting at Rs. 16.3 lakh for the base Prestige petrol manual and prices go up to Rs. 20.14 lakh for the dual-tone Signature diesel automatic. There are 13 trims in all, and yes these prices are introductory. Compared to rivals, the Alcazar is not cheap (And don't forget the Safari and XUV500 start way lower, and are diesel only). Given Hyundai's reach and popularity, I still expect the Alcazar to fire for the Korean manufacturer. Whether it sparks growth for the entire segment or not - that is the million dollar question. For now sister company Kia has categorically said it will not have a similar vehicle. But with the recently launched Tata Safari, and upcoming Mahindra XUV700, the 3-row midsize SUV space looks pretty hot.