2024 Hyundai Alcazar Review: Cretaaaaa!

The Hyundai Alcazar always felt a bit half-baked, with no clear intent or USP. It was too similar to the Creta, felt expensive for what it offered, and didn't perform as well as one would expect from a Hyundai SUV. Now the question is: has that really changed with just a facelift, or does it still feel a bit lost?

Looks

The one thing that Hyundai has definitely got right with the Alcazar is the way it looks because it appears very different from the Creta. Up front, it actually looks like a bigger version of the Creta, especially because of the edge pattern on the LED DRLs. You also get an LED strip running across the front and dynamic turn indicators. The only thing I wish had been upgraded compared to the Creta were the headlamps. Yes, you do get a full LED setup, but I was expecting at least projector LED headlamps, which would have been more powerful and better.

Inside, you’ll find many similarities to the Creta; for example, the front fender and front door are the same. Obviously, the rear door is longer considering it's a seven-seater, so getting in and out is easier. The length is also greater compared to the Creta, which gives it a more substantial appearance from the side. The good thing is that, just like in the Creta, you get large 18-inch alloy wheels, which look just about right. To make it feel taller compared to the Creta, you also get chunky roof rails that look very outdoorsy and usable for adding a roof rack or other accessories. However, when you put some pressure on them, they feel wobbly and seem more for cosmetic purposes.

From the rear, the Alcazar looks more premium and elegant compared to the Creta, thanks to the use of silver panels on the boot lid and bumper. It also looks wider than it actually is, thanks to the tail lamp design with connected LED tail lamps and squared-off sides. A hint of sportiness is added by the twin exhaust tailpipes. One more thing I really appreciate is that this car doesn't look shouty at all; it looks very classy. Yes, they have used chrome, but it is dark chrome up front on the grille, on the door handles, and on the silver panels on the front bumper, side skirts, and rear. They look subtle and not shouty at all.

Hyundai have also added a digital key feature to the top variant. With this feature even there is no issue even if you forget the physical key as this digital key can unlock the door and start the car as well. As of now this key can only be added to a Apple, Samsung, or Google device. The great part is that you can share this key with two other friends or family members, and it also functions without the internet. 

Interior

Once you sit inside the front seat of the Alcazar, you realize not much has changed as compared to the Creta. The ambience has changed slightly thanks to Hyundai using different color combinations, as they have paired beige upholstery with tan colour upper half of the dashboard. They have also introduced a contrasting navy blue color for the upholstery on the seats, which might not be to everyone's liking. Apart from that, the dashboard design remains the same. You get two 10.25-inch screens for the infotainment and the driver's display. The infotainment system is easy to use, but just like in the Creta, you still don’t get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay wirelessly, which should have been included by now in 2024. The 10.25-inch driver display, however, looks modern and includes all the features you would expect at this price point. The blind spot monitor feed is neatly integrated here. What would have made the screen even better is the addition of Apple Maps or Google Maps feeds, similar to what you get in rival cars.

Apart from that, the Alcazar also gets premium features like a wireless phone charger, 360 degree camera, ventilated seats, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, and a large panoramic sunroof. Hyundai have also added a few features in the Alcazar. Now you get a 8-way power driver seat, along with a memory function, powered front passenger seat. When it comes to safety, it includes everything from standard six airbags and ESP to a Level 2 ADAS system, which is well-tuned for our driving conditions.

Just like in the Creta, the Alcazar's front seat is super practical. You get two cup holders under the center armrest, along with storage for your phone where you also have a wireless phone charger. The door pockets are of decent size, and the glove box is reasonably sized as well. Overall, the front seat experience of the Alcazar is pretty good, but considering that this car costs more than the Creta, I was expecting a bit of an upgrade in terms of quality or choice of materials, which remains the same as the Creta.

The main reason why you would buy the Alcazar over the Creta is because of the middle row experience. In terms of space, it is alright; you have enough knee room. You get scooped-out front seats, which provide extra knee room compared to the Creta, and you also have good foot room. But the standout features are the captain seats; they are very supportive and come with scooped-out headrests, allowing you to sit back, relax, and even take a nap comfortably. You also get a reclinable backrest with substantial adjustment.

In terms of features, you get rear seat ventilation, which adds to the overall comfort. You also have a huge sunblind, a wireless phone charger neatly placed here, and two Type-C USB chargers. When it comes to rear seat practicality, Hyundai has got you covered. You get a folding tray where you can keep your phone or tablet and watch some nice content. You also have a folding cup holder, which is conveniently placed. In the Alcazar, you get a boss mode as well; with the help of two buttons, you can push the passenger seat forward to stretch and relax, and you have great under-thigh support. The seat base is adjustable, which makes your life even more comfortable. So overall, if you always wanted to buy a Creta but wanted a better rear seat experience for being chauffeur-driven, then the Alcazar is the car to get.

Boot Space

In terms of boot space, with all three rows up, you get 180 liters, which is quite decent. If you fold the third row, you get a massive 580 liters of space, which is significantly more than the 433 liters that you get in the Creta. So yes, if you want a more premium-looking SUV with more features, a better rear seat experience, and a better family car, the Alcazar makes a lot of sense compared to the Creta.

But wait, the review is not over because let’s talk about this car's main rivals in this price segment, and then things start to look a bit different. The Alcazar’s top-end variant, the petrol auto, is priced at around ₹21.2 lakh. For ₹2.5 lakh less, you can get a Carens, which is a proper seven-seater and not a 4+2 or a 5+2 like the Alcazar. Clearly, as you can see, I hardly fit here, and this is the only way I can fit in the Alcazar, which is not the case with the Carens because I can sit very comfortably in that car even on long journeys.

Drive Experience

When you compare the engine options of the Alcazar and the Carens, they are exactly the same. You get the same 1.5-litre 160 PS turbo petrol engine mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT transmission. The diesel is a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel with 116 PS, mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Considering these similar engine options, performance is almost identical, which is no bad thing. The petrol motor is refined, has punchy performance, which makes overtaking easy. It is very refined too, whether you’re driving in stop-and-go traffic or on the highway. 

The diesel engine is smooth as well, with a decent amount of power, but let’s not forget it’s the same diesel engine with the same power that you get in the Kia Sonet which is smaller and lighter, and in that car, it doesn’t feel particularly quick either.

So yes, in terms of efficiency, smoothness, and refinement, the diesel engine fits the bill, but when you’re paying more than Rs 20 lakh for a car you expect more. For around the same money you can also buy the XUV700, either with a petrol auto or a diesel auto in the AX7 variant. That variant of the XUV 700 is well equipped and in terms of performance it leaves the Alcazar far behind. The XUV700 comes with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol and a 2.2-litre turbo diesel that offer effortless performance. It's not only in terms of performance where the Alcazar falls behind compared to the XUV700, this car also doesn't have that "big car" feel. From the driver's seat, it feels like you're driving a Creta, while the XUV700 feels like a car from a segment above.

In terms of driving dynamics, Hyundai has done a good job, so the Alcazar drives very similarly to the Creta. The ride is comfortable despite the larger 18-inch wheels. Yes, you do feel some firmness from the suspension, especially over sharp surfaces, whereas the Creta feels more forgiving. In the Alcazar, you may feel some vibrations or bumps inside the cabin, but it’s not a deal breaker.

I think the ride quality is absolutely fine. Handling-wise, the roads in Udaipur, where we were driving, are mostly straight, so we couldn't push it too much. However, in terms of stability at high speeds, the Alcazar feels predictable and well-connected to the road with no surprises. It's not meant to be a sporty handler, but much like the Creta, we expect it to be easy to drive for everyday use.

Verdict

So yes, the Alcazar does fall short against its six or seven-seat rivals in this price bracket when it comes to that big car feel or performance compared to vehicles like the XUV700. However, if you always wanted a Creta and a luxury version of it, then the Alcazar makes a lot of sense. You get more features, a better rear seat experience, and a more spacious boot. Overall, as a package, the Alcazar does make a lot more sense compared to the Creta.