Hyundai Alcazar

Hyundai Alcazar

The Hyundai Alcazar is a bigger and seven-seat version of the popular Creta and has managed to build up a sizable following in the market as well. The wheelbase has been scaled up for offering 6 and 7 seater options.

How’s the Design?

The Hyundai Alcazar gets the basics right in terms of its design and visual elements. The Alcazar is quite similar to the Hyundai Creta and there is a new cascading grille while the SUV has a specific length while it also comes with a novel stance and design, along with overall visual appeal. The headlamp shape is slightly differentiated while the internal components also differ. It looks good overall. The Alcazar has a well-defined rear design and the taller design or its sheer length make the SUV look commanding on the road.

How does it perform?

  
The Hyundai Alcazar SUV offers a petrol and diesel engine choice. The petrol engine comes from the Hyundai Tucson and has been updated for ensuring higher power delivery and superior performance. Hyundai has scaled up power figures in the Alcazar with optimization of the module for heat management and the continuously variable valve timing. The diesel version has the same direct injection 1.5 litre turbocharged engine that is shared with its sibling, the Hyundai Creta. There are 6-speed automatic and manual transmission options. Both these types have undergone optimization for lowering losses of friction and also enhancing fuel economy. In the manual mode, the drive ratio has been scaled up for ensuring the right balance of performance and fuel economy. The diesel engine is refined and comes with negligible noise. You get a burst of torque from 1,500 RPM onwards and there is rapid acceleration from the mid-range onwards. You can accelerate easily, especially while overtaking, and shed a gear for getting the Alcazar in the right end of the power-band. There is slightly some lag at the lower end although low-end torque has been a little compromised for balancing out drivability and fuel economy alike.

How’s the mileage?

• Diesel Manual- 20.4 kmpl
• Diesel Automatic- 18.1 kmpl
• Petrol Manual- 14.5 kmpl
• Petrol Automatic- 14.2 kmpl

How’s the driving experience?

The Hyundai Alcazar makes use of a chassis which is stretched and comes with a longer wheelbase as compared to the Hyundai Creta. The ground clearance is a little higher for the top-end trim. The suspension systems have been revamped for taking care of extra loads smoothly. There are front McPherson struts along with a rear torsion beam. These now get stiffer and changed damping along with longer travel. There is also a hydraulic rebound stopper for the strut in the front. There are upright dampers at the back for more stability. The Alcazar offers great ride quality and handling overall although there are some potholes which make their presence felt as well. There is no bouncy feeling in the SUV which is not a good thing. The steering wheel has also undergone re-tuning. It feels light overall while getting slightly heavier with an increase in speed.

What’s the interior like?

The Hyundai Alcazar offers a similar cabin as the Hyundai Creta with an additional seating row and the black and brown color mix for the upholstery. The dashboard and interiors look plush while the 6-seater version comes with middle row captain seats alongside. There is good legroom in the middle row along with foldable tables for working. You can easily move the first two rows for increasing the space in the last row. There are cup holders in the last row along with air conditioning vents and high-speed ports for USB charging along with adjustments for the blower speed. Two adults can comfortably sit in the last row with good support. The cabin is quite practical and useful as well.

Tech and infotainment

There is a fully digital instrument cluster in the Hyundai Alcazar and it has striking graphics along with a touch screen infotainment system with a big screen, Bose audio system, panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, connected car features, and an air purifier. There is a blind spot monitor and 360-degree camera along with ambient lighting, voice-controls for the sunroof, wireless charger, USB chargers, and more. The 10.25 inch touch screen system comes with Hyundai BlueLink connectivity features, steering mounted controls, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

Safety equipment

The Hyundai Alcazar comes with several safety features including disc brakes, dual airbags, EBD, ABS, HAS, ESC, auto-dimming IRVM, TPMS, rear parking sensors, rear wiper and defogger, rear parking camera, and also ISOFIX child seat anchorages.

Which variant to buy?

The Alcazar SUV comes in 14 options and the automatic variants are better choices for buyers. The entry-level Prestige variant is a good budget pick, while the Signature and mid-range Platinum variants offer the highest value. The Prestige variant comes with features like rear parking sensors, ABS, dual airbags, hill start assist, ambient lighting, LED headlights and DRLs, panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, cruise control, 10.25 inch touch screen system, connectivity features, and more. The O option comes with an automatic transmission setup. The Platinum variant comes with several additional features including a 360-degree camera, puddle lamps, bigger alloy wheels, a 10.25 inch digital instrument console, and more. The Signature variant comes with ventilated front seats, paddle shifters, and traction and drive modes among other additions.

Which cars compete in the segment?

The Hyundai Alcazar SUV competes with the MG Hector Plus, Tata Safari, and the Mahindra XUV500. The Alcazar comes with the longest wheelbase and there are petrol choices for the MG Hector Plus and Alcazar as well. The Hyundai Alcazar is the shortest of the lot but gets the longest wheelbase. The XUV500 has the diesel engine with the highest displacement and torque figures. The most powerful engines are available in the MG Hector Plus and Tata Safari. The Alcazar has the smallest diesel engine amongst these SUVs. The petrol engine of the SUV has higher displacement and is different from the MG Hector Plus. The pricing is competitive against its rivals. The Alcazar has the highest starting prices but it evens out as you move upwards across the variant spectrum.