Hyundai’s much-anticipated 7-seater SUV, the Alcazar, has finally arrived in India. Loaded with features and available in a choice of 2.0-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines, and 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions, the Alcazar is the perfect ‘family SUV’ for ferrying your entourage in style. A 6-seater variant, with two individual captain seats in the middle row, is also available for those who’re willing to trade seating capacity for more comfort.
While the Hyundai Creta continues to do very well in the 5-seater SUV segment, the Alcazar is its bigger cousin, designed for those who want more space. With its chunky, muscular styling and proportionate lines, it’s a good-looking vehicle with plenty of presence. Highlights include tri-beam LED headlamps and LED DRLs, 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, integrated roof rails, running boards on the side for easy access to the cabin and subtle use of dark chrome trim.
Inside the cabin, the Alcazar gets dual-tone black/cognac-brown trim, along with fully digital instrumentation in the form of a 10.25-inch colour display, along with a centrally-mounted 10.25-inch HD infotainment touchscreen. With the use of high-quality materials and a fuss-free, clean dashboard layout, the Alcazar’s cabin looks quietly classy and upmarket, which buyers are likely to appreciate.
The 2.0-litre petrol engine offered with the Alcazar produces 159bhp and 191Nm of torque, allowing the big SUV to go from zero to 100kph in 9.5 seconds. Fuel efficiency, at 14.2kpl, isn’t bad either. The 1.5-litre diesel engine produces 115bhp and 250Nm of torque and offers 18-20kpl in terms of fuel economy. Both engines are available with 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission options.
The driver can choose from various driving modes – including comfort, eco and sport – and the Alcazar, which features voice commands for controlling different functions, also gets built-in navigation and full smartphone connectivity. An 8-speaker Bose sound system, with dynamic speed compensation (for auto adjustment of playback volume), has been designed to keep audiophiles happy, while the panoramic sunroof is voice-operated; just say “I want to see the sky,” and it’ll open up. Cool!
The front row in the Alcazar gets ventilated seats. The driver’s seat is 8-way power-adjustable. Then there is the tilt-and-telescopic adjustable steering and an electric parking brake for the driver’s convenience. There’s also wireless smartphone charging, USB charging, AC vents for 2nd and 3rd-row passengers, and 2nd row sliding and reclining seats that tumble down for easy access to the third row.
With the smart key provided with the Alcazar, the engine can be started remotely, and the AC switched on, so the cabin can be cooled before entering the vehicle. The list of safety equipment includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat anchor, and electronic stability control. There are also various electronic driver assistance features, including a rear parking camera, parking sensors, hill start assist control and much more.
With 6- and 7-seater configurations, a plush cabin, a choice of powerful and efficient petrol and diesel engines, and 180-litres of boot space (which can be further extended by folding down the 3rd and 2nd-row seats), the new Hyundai Alcazar may well be the perfect choice for those looking for a sporty and spacious SUV, that can easily accommodate the extended family. Prices for the Alcazar start at Rs 16.30 lakh for the entry-level variant, going up to Rs 19.99 lakh for the top-spec model. These numbers seem to be very reasonable, given the level of spec, safety, technology and creature comforts. We reckon Hyundai has another winner on its hands with the Alcazar.
