Hyundai Alcazar
Meet Hyundai’s large-sized SUV with premium punch
Hyundai has launched a larger version of the Creta with three rows of seating thanks to an extended wheelbase and has also made significant upgrades on the inside and named it the Alcazar, which means a fortress or palace in Spanish. We take it for a spin to find out what it feels and drives like
Hyundai has extended the Creta’s wheelbase by 150mm to 2,760mm on the Alcazar, thereby giving the Alcazar the longest wheelbase in the segment. The length of the Alcazar at 4,500mm is 200mm longer than the Creta and it is taller than its smaller sibling by 40mm. It is not the overall height that makes as much difference as is the height at the rear. The Creta has a sloping roofline while the Alcazar does not and thereby has adequate headroom for passengers in the third row as well.
Even though the Alcazar may be based on the Creta, the similarities end at the front end. While the grille and the front bumper are changed though identical in shape and size, so are the fog lamp surrounds. Besides, there is a skid plate both in the front and the rear. The side profile illustrates that the Alcazar is simply another beast as the SUV with three rows of seats is larger, has more presence besides having a completely different silhouette. Even though many conversions of vehicles from two to three row seating keep the sides the same, on the Alcazar, the height of the front door is more as is the design of the rear door and then there is an additional window for the third row of seats. While the Creta is sleek and sporty, the Alcazar is big and voluminous in comparison. Towards the rear, the fenders are totally new and the rear of the Alcazar, unlike the front, is totally different from its smaller sibling. New LED tail lamps are striking while the overall rear look is reminiscent of the larger fullsized SUVs. There has also been upsizing of the wheels with the Alcazar shod with 18in wheels as opposed to the 17in on the Creta. The larger wheels are a good fit given the now increased size of the vehicle. The integrated roof rails are also new and what Hyundai has compromised by doing away with the sloping roof-line it has compensated by blacking out all three pillars and thereby giving the Alcazar a floating roof design which leads to a sporty look.
For the first time Hyundai has gone in for a brown interior trim that feels upmarket and premium. And this can be experienced at night with either one of the 64 ambient light colours adding
to the upmarket feel. While the overall layout is similar to that of the Creta there are some significant changes and a lot more additions in terms of features and assistance systems. While the infotainment system screen is similar, the instrument panel is now made up of a 10.25in screen which is customizable to an extent with the two digital dials making way for the displays for the blind view camera monitors on the use of the indicator. The front seats are comfortable enough but the rear USP of the Alcazar comes from the 2nd row of seats which can be purchased as either two captain seats or as a three-seater bench. The captain seats are comfortable and adjustable with the backs of the front seats having a fold out table with an integrated cup holder as well as a slot for tablets so that the rear seat passengers can use the tablet without having to hold on to it. In addition to wireless phone charging at the front, the rear centre arm-rest also gets a wireless phone charger.
The third row is supposedly easy to get into and we experienced that with the 6-seater Alcazar with captain seats in the second row. While Hyundai claims that the second row is one touch tip and tumble it is not as easy as that but there is one lever to operate and the seat can be tumbled in one motion itself. Getting in is not difficult with the side step helping to get in and additional space is available behind the floor console in-between the two captain’s seats in the second row. Seating for an adult is a challenge if the two people sitting in front of this adult are sitting comfortably but at least head room is not a problem. However for children or shorter people it should be a more comfortable fit and if the seating works then there is a USB charger outlet on either side along with a cupholder.
The Alcazar comes with two engine options which can both be mated to either a 6-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission. The first of these engine options is the 2-litre Nu engine, the 3rd generation version of the petrol engine used on the Tucson and the Elantra with 159bhp of max power and 191Nm of peak torque and Hyundai claims certified fuel efficiency of over 14kmpl for both the automatic and manual 6-speed transmissions. The diesel engine on the other hand is the same 1.5-litre CRDi powerplant used on the Creta as well as many other cars in the Hyundai range. While max power and peak torque are the same
WHILE THE OVERALL LAYOUT IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE CRETA THE ALCAZAR GETS BROWN INTERIOR TRIM THAT FEELS UPMARKET AND PREMIUM
EVEN THOUGH THE ALCAZAR MAY BE BASED ON THE CRETA, THE SIMILARITIES END AT THE FRONT END WITH A COMPLETELY NEW REAR SECTION
on the Creta at 115bhp and 250Nm, the engineers at Hyundai have tweaked the gear rations on the gearboxes to ensure good acceleration, driveability as well as fuel efficiency. The diesel Alcazar has certified fuel economy of 20.4kmpl for the manual transmission and 18.1kmpl for the automatic.
We drove the automatic petrol engine car and found that unlike on the Tucson, on the Alcazar the engine feels sporty and the paddle shifters help derive the best from the powertrain. The engine does get a little rough at the top end but because it has a comparatively large displacement, torque is sufficient to not have to rev the engine too hard. While we did not drive the car with a full load of passengers, with one person on board, the petrol engine Alcazar drives well although one cannot compare the ride and handling to the Creta, which is much more sporty and handles way better. But for sedate driving the Alcazar is just fine though the large wheels with relatively low profile tyres means that the suspension has to work overtime on bad roads with minimal bump absorption from the tyres.
Hyundai has been rolling out its connected car technology aggressively with each new car. With the Alcazar, one gets the most advanced Blue Link system yet with additional voice commands and functions that it can perform including things like opening and closing the sun-roof and rolling down either one or more of the four side glasses. It will also get over the air map updates and will greet you each time you are ready to start a new journey.
1.Captain seats at the rear are comfortable and have a central armrest unit as well which also houses the wireless phone charging pad. 2. The third row is cramped for adults and offers no thigh support whatsoever. 3. Separate air-con controls for third row with a vent and a USB charging outlet on either side. 4. Air purifier built in as on the new Creta. 5. The third row folds over to offer flat loading space
VERDICT
The Alcazar fills in a gap in the Hyundai SUV line-up and fits in between the Creta and the Tucson in the pricing stakes. It would do well to understand that though the new Hyundai has three rows of seats it is not a full-sized SUV and hence it is a compromise like all the other such SUVs in this segment are. Even though the Alcazar is loaded with features and assistance systems not found in cars of this segment, and even though Hyundai has managed the packaging of the interiors very well, it is like all the others in the segment not a 6/7 seater but a 4/5+2 seater. Albeit it is a vehicle loaded with so much tech and features not seen on Hyundai before including on car’s priced higher. And if that is what fits your bill then the Alcazar should be the vehicle you ought to be driving home.