2024 Hyundai Alcazar Facelift Compared With Kia Carens: Which One Makes For A More Sensible Buy?

Hyundai has updated its Alcazar SUV by giving it fresh design elements for the exterior, more features and an upgraded cabin. In this article, we have compared it with the Kia Carens MPV. Both the cars come from two Korean giants and have some commonalities, yet are different in many aspects. Let’s find out which of these two offers more value in terms of design, interior, features, powertrain and price: 

Hyundai Alcazar Facelift Vs Kia Carens: Price

The Caren’s base-spec variants are much more affordable, but the difference between the top-spec variants of both is not much. If you opt for the Alcazar’s top-spec variant, you will have to pay a premium of around Rs 1.61 lakh. Let’s see if the premium is justified:

Hyundai Alcazar Facelift Vs Kia Carens: Dimensions 

The Alcazar is slightly longer, while the Carens boasts  a 20 mm longer wheelbase. There is nothing to separate the two in terms of width, and the difference between their height is negligible. 

Both are offered in 6 and 7-seater configurations.

Hyundai Alcazar Facelift Vs Kia Carens: Features 

The table above shows you where the extra money for the Alcazar goes. It is clearly superior in terms of the equipment on offer. The Alcazar comes with niceties like a dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, a wireless phone charger and ventilated seats for front and second row seats, and an electric Boss mode over the Carens. It also gets additional safety features like level-2 ADAS and a 360-degree camera. 

Hyundai Alcazar Facelift Vs Kia Carens: Powertrain 

• The Korean cars share the diesel engine and turbo-petrol engine.

• The NA petrol is available only with the Carens.

• All engines save for the Carens turbo-petrol come with a standard 6-speed manual.

• The Carens also gets the option of an iMT, which is not available with the Alcazar. 

Hyundai Alcazar Facelift Vs Kia Carens: Verdict 

Both Kia Carens and Hyundai Alcazar facelift have a lot in common. The Carens is the more affordable option out of the two and comes with a well-equipped cabin. It features an MPV body style, while the Alcazar’s silhouette is more SUV-like. With the Carens you will miss out on a few feel-good features, but you do get an iMT gearbox if you want the convenience of an automatic while having the control and enthusiastic nature of the manual.  

The Alcazar is for you if you spend most of your time in the rear seat and like to be chauffeured around or if you’re looking for a comfortable second row for your parents. Its additional features will pamper you enough and the comfortable experience will make you think that the premium you spend over the Carens was well spent. In conclusion, picking the Alcazar facelift would make more sense, but only if the extra money doesn’t put a dent in your wallet. That being said, you won’t go wrong with the Carens either, as it is a great package for the price it's offered at. 

Which one would you pick? And why? Let us know in the comments below.