Hyundai Alcazar offers premium interiors, luxurious middle row, and loads of tech for both driver and passenger.
One glance at the Hyundai Alcazar reveals its roots. It's a three-row SUV with a similar face and overall appearance to the brand's best-selling Creta. On the other hand, Hyundai insists that the Alcazar should not be considered a 'Creta Plus,' as it has gone out of its way to differentiate it from the 5-seater Creta.
The Alcazar is 200mm longer and 40mm taller, with ten millimeters more ground clearance and, most significantly, a 150 millimeter larger wheelbase. Additionally, it gets a bigger 2.0-liter petrol engine and several significant additions to the already long list of standard features.
Design
The similarities between the Alcazar and Creta end at the front end. The fog lamp surrounds are different from the grille and front bumper, but they are the same form and size. Moreover, both the front and back skid plates are present. The SUV with three rows of seats is bigger, has more presence, and has a new appearance, as seen by the side profile. While many car conversions from two to three rows of seating maintain the same side profile, the Alcazar's front door is taller, as is the rear door design, and the third row of seats has an additional window. The Alcazar is substantial in comparison to the Creta, which is sleek and sporty.
The fenders on the back of the Alcazar are entirely new, and unlike the front, the back of the Alcazar looks nothing like its little sibling. The new LED taillights are eye-catching, and the entire rear appearance is reminiscent of full-size SUVs. The Alcazar has 18-inch wheels, compared to the 17-inch wheels of Creta. Given the car's new size, the bigger wheels are a suitable match. Hyundai compensated for the sloping roof-line by blacking out all three pillars, giving the Alcazar a floating roof design that gives it a dynamic appearance.
Interiors
That's where the magic occurred, and let's go back to the front. The boot measures an outstanding 180 liters with all rows in place, which is easily enough space for three or four soft weekend bags. There is much more luggage space when the third row folds down than in a Creta, but Hyundai has not specified a figure. The second row folds down as well, although the center console between the seats consumes space in the load bay if you choose a 6-seater model.
While the Alcazar is the smallest car in the class, it has the class's longest wheelbase, which results in more usable inside space, and Hyundai has created a very well-packaged SUV. Yes, you will need to balance the third and sliding second rows, but it can achieve unless all of your passengers are very tall.
The space in the last row is not as large as it is in a Tata Safari, but it is also not intended as a punishment area for naughty kids. You do not need to sit in a foetal position, and headroom is also more than enough. The blower control provides access to USB connections, cup holders, and AC vents. Access is also very simple, as long as the climb into the car is not too high, which made easier by the running board step and, then, a one-touch flip-fold for the middle row.
The captain's seats are in the middle row designed for chauffeured passengers, and there's a center console between them for that extra business-class feeling. While this prevents access to the third row, it does provide an armrest, cupholders, and even a second wireless phone charger. Although the seats seem similar to those in the front, with soft cushions connected to the headrests, sitting in them reveals that they are not quite as comfortable. They're lower to the ground and have a less generous squab, which means you're not getting as much thigh support as you'd want. If there are no people behind you, you may fully recline them, just like a real CEO. Pull-up window blinds and small fold-out tables with spaces for an iPad are also available for the second row.
The front of the cabin is very similar to the Creta, with a few noticeable changes. The upholstery and dashboard are both tans, which helps hide the lack of soft material seen on the dashboard of a Kia Seltos, for example. The gear lever and steering wheel perforated, and there is extra brushed silver trim on the steering wheel and door cards, as well as a gloss black central console, which enhances the cabin's ambiance. The fit and quality are excellent, but it falls short of the bigger Tucson despite the bright colors and embellishments.
As with the Creta, the front seats are spacious, luxuriously cushioned, and ventilated. You have power seat adjustment and excellent forward vision. While the 10.25-inch touchscreen is standard on all variants, the new full-digital instrument cluster looks and feels very premium. The displays vary depending on the driving modes. It even has a useful blind spot monitoring system that shows you a camera feed of what's approaching from behind when you use the indicators in either direction.
Engine and performance
Hyundai will provide the Alcazar with a choice of two engines: a 1.5-liter diesel engine and a 2.0-liter petrol engine derived from the Tucson. An option for manual or automatic transmission with a 1,5-liter diesel engine expected. On the other hand, the petrol engine delivers excellent performance, with 159bhp and a claimed zero to 100kmph speed of fewer than ten seconds. Additionally, the Alcazar will feature multi-drive modes.
Final verdict
The Alcazar filled a gap in Hyundai's SUV lineup and is priced in between the Creta and Tucson. It's crucial to understand that, although having three rows of seats, the new Hyundai is not a full-size SUV, and therefore, like all other SUVs in this category, it's a compromise.
Even though the Alcazar is packed with features and support systems not seen in other cars in this segment, and Hyundai has done an excellent job of packaging the interiors, it is just like the others in the segment, a 4/5+2 seater. It is a car packed with technology and features not seen before on Hyundai cars, even those with a higher price tag. And if that is the case, then the Alcazar should be your home car.
