New Hyundai Alcazar Facelift 2024: A Comprehensive Review Of 1.5 Turbo DCT

Available with diesel and petrol engines, the new Alcazar has tougher competition than its Creta sibling but Hyundai has added more this time than ever before

The Alcazar has a third row but it is cramped but for short journeys it is decent enough.

Source : Somnath Chatterjee

SUVs are what everyone wants and the Alcazar is the newest Hyundai SUV which slots above the hot selling Creta and below the Tucson. It is a three row SUV that again enters the 15-25 lakh space. Available with diesel and petrol engines, the new Alcazar has tougher competition than its Creta sibling but Hyundai has added more this time than ever before. Along with an overhauled styling, the new Alcazar gets a lot more tech including some new features.

We drove the flagship variant with the 6-seater option with its 1.5l turbo petrol DCT combination. That said, the big test starts with the rear seat where most owners will inevitably spend their time and here, it's a much more comfortable experience now. Just like before, there are 6 and 7 seater options while the 6-seater with captain seats is the one to have with more comfort plus gadgets. Space is decent but legroom can be increased for the rear seat passenger where one can electrically adjust the front seat from the back. Then the comfy new headrests are relaxing along with good thigh support which can also be adjusted.

Then you have cooled seats, sunblinds and a table with a cup holder too. Unlike the last Alcazar, the centre console between the two seats is removed and the phone wireless charger is now placed above the ac vents. It is convenient as the space between leaves allows easier entry to the second row.

Speaking of which, the Alcazar has a third row but it is cramped but for short journeys it is decent enough. Upfront, the driver has pretty much the same dashboard view as the new Creta and that is no bad thing with the joined screens but now there are new touch climate controls along with a more premium looking brown/black colour scheme. There are no soft touch materials though but the switches are well made with good quality.

Features here mirror the Creta but there are additions like powered seats while there is a new digital key feature where your phone replaces the key along with enabling you to start the car too. Elsewhere you get dual-zone climate control, a voice enabled panoramic sunroof, ADAS Level 2, connected car tech, an in-built music app, cooled seats, powered handbrake and more. Other features include a Bose audio system, power walk in device and more.

Onto the driving bit and here the 1.5l turbo petrol with 160PS is smooth and fast with ample performance for effortless driving. It is quick and when driven hard, feels more agile than some other three-row SUVs. The DCT 7-speed has paddles but in D mode it is good enough for city traffic and ambling along while only a bit of low speed jerkiness.

It does not feel too big or larger than a Creta and makes it easier to drive in the city. Where we noticed a change is that the Alcazar is a wee bit quieter, smoother and rides a bit better while the 18-inch wheels do still have a firm edge. For being driven around, the Alcazar is comfortable enough though and is quiet, smooth too. 

With a starting price of Rs 15 lakh and stretching till Rs 21 lakh plus, the new Alcazar is better value than other SUVs with more features while being an agile three row SUV for city use. It looks better now too and importantly looks different from the Creta with a more aggressive front bumper plus different lighting. Compared to its rivals, the Alcazar does have a smaller third row and the diesel engine has less power but look at the petrol and its features then the new Alcazar does make a lot of sense now.

What we like: Looks, features, technology, turbo petrol, easy to drive, more agile than rivals

What we do not: third row space is a bit cramped, low speed ride still a bit on the firm side