The Hyundai Alcazar facelift is expected to be launched by mid-2024.

Having launched the Creta facelift, Hyundai is now gearing up to introduce the updated Alcazar in the Indian market. The upcoming Hyundai Alcazar facelift was recently spotted testing in South Korea. While the prototype was wrapped in heavy camouflage, the latest spy image does reveal the new LED taillights.

The Alcazar facelift is expected to get a redesigned rear fascia with L-shaped tail lamp clusters, possibly connected by an LED light bar. The SUV will also get twin chrome exhaust tips.

Hyundai is also likely to make several modifications to the front of the Alcazar. The design changes could be inspired by the new Creta.

Inside, the Alcazar facelift is likely to get the all-new dashboard from the updated Creta, replete with features like the dual 10.25-inch screens for the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster. The SUV will also get dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats and ADAS.

The Alcazar facelift is expected to be offered with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 158 BHP and 253 Nm and a 1.5-litre diesel that puts out 114 BHP and 250 Nm, paired with manual or automatic transmissions.

Source: Kangnamtimes

The upcoming Alcazar is expected to get several cosmetic updates just like Creta.

The Hyundai Alcazar is all set to get a makeover just like its 5-seater version, the Creta. The updated SUV is expected to be launched by mid-2024 and is currently being put through its paces.

The latest spy images reveal a new alloy wheel design. The new dual-tone wheels have a star-like design pattern. The SUV is also equipped with functional roof rails.

The upcoming Alcazar is expected to get several cosmetic updates just like Creta. It could get a bold grille with L-shaped LED DRLs and a redesigned rear fascia.

Inside, the Alcazar facelift is likely to get the all-new dashboard from the updated Creta, replete with features like the dual 10.25-inch screens for the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster. The SUV will also get dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats and ADAS.

The Alcazar facelift is expected to be offered with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 158 BHP and 253 Nm and a 1.5-litre diesel that puts out 114 BHP and 250 Nm, paired with manual or automatic transmissions.

Source: Rushlane

Much like the Creta, the Alcazar is also expected to get a few cosmetic updates.

Having launched the Creta facelift last month, Hyundai is now gearing up to introduce the updated Alcazar. As per the latest reports, the Alcazar facelift is likely to be launched by May or June 2024.

Much like the Creta, the Alcazar is also expected to get a few cosmetic updates. It could get a bold grille and L-shaped LED DRLs at the front, a redesigned rear fascia and new alloy wheels.

Inside, the Alcazar facelift is likely to get the all-new dashboard from the updated Creta, replete with features like the dual 10.25-inch screens for the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster. The SUV will also get dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats and ADAS.

The Alcazar facelift is expected to be offered with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 158 BHP and 253 Nm and a 1.5-litre diesel that puts out 114 BHP and 250 Nm, paired with manual or automatic transmissions.

Source: Autocar India

The cars in this comparison include Creta/Seltos, Grand Vitara/Hyryder, Nexon old/new, and even the Hector and Alcazar.

BHPian RedMaw recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Second Look at Elevate

Today, I had a chance to look at the Elevate again, and as fate would have it, I was also visiting other showrooms. So this is an interior-only comparison between Elevate and Competition. I am planning to do a test drive of all in the next couple of weeks.

Elevate vs. Creta/Seltos

I have to give it to Hyundai here. When they started in India, they were not a premium player, and costly products like the Santa Fe and Sonata failed miserably. But now, when you look at the Elevate and Creta/Seltos side by side, it's clear that the Creta and Seltos are more premium offerings. I'm not talking about the abundance of features, but the interior design, use of materials, and interior space scream premium in the Creta and Seltos. I compared variant to variant, and every variant in the Creta/Seltos was worth an additional ₹50,000 compared to the Elevate.

On specifics, the Creta/Seltos driver seat is more comfortable than the Elevate's. It's larger in the Creta/Seltos and has generous legroom. With adjustment, you'll be at home in no time. But in the Elevate, legroom is just enough, and pushing the seat all the way back will compromise the rear legroom. Moreover, the Elevate driver seat does not have good under-thigh support, which is a deal breaker for me.

The Creta/Seltos dashboard is modern and uses more premium plastics compared to the Elevate's. I would still pick the Elevate's classy dashboard, though. But on a side-by-side comparison, you can clearly see that Kia has made sure the Seltos have better materials than the Elevate.

Moving to the rear seat, the Creta and Seltos are again the clear winners. The rear seat length is smaller in the Elevate, and it lacks under-thigh support. The elevated footrest also puts passengers in an uncomfortable position. Even though the Elevate uses leatherette, the Creta/Seltos rear seat is more comfortable for longer rides due to its reclining function. Three passengers can sit at ease in the Creta/Seltos, while only two and a half can fit in the Elevate.

The only place where the Elevate may have an advantage is in safety. Honda cars generally have good safety ratings, while Hyundai and Kia have been criticized for their unstable shell in the past. However, if Hyundai/Kia releases the Creta/Seltos with a better shell with a 5-star rating, there would be no contest.

Elevate vs. Grand Vitara/Hyryder

I will be honest here, I am biased against Suzuki. It's nothing against their customers, I thought Suzuki products were not for me. But boy-oh-boy, I was never so wrong in my life. I went to the Nexa showroom with this prejudice. But, after seeing the Elevate and Grand Vitara back to back, it changed. Stepping into the Grand Vitara immediately gives you the impression it's a car built to change perceptions. The rear seat is a bit longer than the Elevate's, but it gives a comfortable seating position for three people. We were not sitting shoulder to shoulder, but under-thigh support is similar to the Elevate's, i.e., lacking. The regular floorboard and flat rear beach give a good seating position in the rear.

Moving to the front, the driver seat is similar to the Elevate's, again lacking under-thigh support. Free travel of the seat and steering adjustment means I am comfortable again in no time. I am able to use the armrest, unlike the useless one in the Elevate (which is positioned very far back). Petrol boot space is similar to the Elevate's, but the hybrid is not worse either. Interior materials could have been better at this price range. But, at ₹22L on-road for the Delta+ OR G hybrid, I am okay with interior quality (an additional ₹20-30K will spruce up the interiors).

One of the biggest advantages of the Grand Vitara and Hyryder is their fuel efficiency. The hybrid variants can achieve up to 25 km/l, while the Elevate only gets 15 km/l. However, the Grand Vitara and Hyryder are also more expensive (2L more compared to ZX CVT). Overall, the Grand Vitara and Hyryder are better cars than the Elevate. They offer more features, better fuel efficiency, and more modern technology. However, they are also more expensive with not-so-good interiors.

Elevate vs. Hector

I know the Elevate and Hector are not strictly apple-to-apple comparisons, but with recent price reductions and discounts, the Hector Shine CVT and Elevate ZX CVT are only a couple of thousand apart, so it makes sense to compare them. The Hector is a big car, but it has become an older model. It's been five years since its release, and the cosmetic changes are no longer enticing for new buyers.

Stepping into the Hector after the Elevate makes the Hector look like a palace. There is an abundance of space in the Hector. The driver's seat of the Hector is one of the most comfortable places in the entire car. The seat is large enough to accommodate me and provides good support all around. I wish Honda had provided this seat in the Elevate. Ingress is better in the Hector than in the Elevate, and the large, comfortable driving seats mean longer less tiring drives. The infotainment system is still an eyesore. MG should have provided a floating system or slab-like system instead of the after-market-looking, sore thumb system.

In the rear, the flat bench and flat floorboard mean comfortable seating for three passengers. One thing I never noticed before in the Hector is the lack of depth in the rear. Raised floorboards mean the height between the rear bench and the floor is lower, leading to an awkward knee position, at least for me. A flat-folding rear bench gives the option to use it as a bed, which is lacking in the Elevate.

Compared to the Elevate, Hector is a good option if I am looking for a spacious and comfortable SUV but it is not as fuel-efficient or modern as the Elevate or the Grand Vitara/Hyryder.

Elevate vs. Alcazar

The Alcazar Prestige (O) diesel TC was available for approximately ₹22.5 lakh after discounts, so we had a look at the Alcazar as well. Compared to the Elevate, the Alcazar looks muted. There is not much difference between the interior of the Creta and the Alcazar except for the use of more premium colors. The rear seats are compromised in the Alcazar but comparable to the Elevate. Both are not comfortable for long durations. The third row is almost useless, but it can be used for kids or folded down for more luggage space. We quickly moved on because if we were compromising on the rear seat, we could buy the Elevate at a lower price instead of the Alcazar.

Elevate vs. Nexon old/new

Again, I don't have a high opinion of Tata Motors. They are one of the most intelligent and idiotic car manufacturers in India. On the one hand, they won't move away from their egg design, but on the other hand, the new Nexon interiors are clearly an upgrade compared to the old Nexon or Elevate. The Nexon is a smaller CSUV than the Elevate, but it is also much cheaper. On the front, I did not like the glossy, glowing thing in the steering wheel. The entire time I was in the front, I was wondering what would happen in case of a crash. Will the glass-like material harm me, or others? How will the airbag get deployed? This spoiled the visit and I could not concentrate much on anything else.

Some of the materials used and the gear lever are better than in the Elevate, but Tata QC is still pathetic. Our new car had a broken lock in the armrest. The infotainment system did not switch on and the battery had to be removed and rehooked for it to work. The rear bench is good for its size, but we sit lower compared to the Elevate. The Nexon is very much loaded compared to the Elevate for its price, but it does not have the same level of quality and refinement as the Elevate. Honda QC and service are vastly superior to Tata. Until Tata improves on this aspect, their cars are not for me.

Overall

The Elevate missed a golden opportunity to win the market decisively. When Apple released the iPhone 1, there were plenty of phones in the market. However, Apple took time to study the market, improve on the drawbacks of existing mobile phones, and released a vastly superior phone that propelled them to where they are today. Honda, with the made-for-India Elevate, could have released a vastly superior car compared to anything in the market and won over Indian customers. The Elevate is a good SUV, but it is not the best in its class. It is not as premium as the Creta/Seltos or the Hector, and it is not as fuel-efficient as the Grand Vitara/Hyryder. Elevate is a master of none product that will quickly settle into a lower position in the CSUV market.

P.S: For reasons beyond my understanding, I am still keeping the Elevate booking. Maybe the power of Honda compels me to retain the booking.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Alcazar facelift is likely to get features like a 360-degree camera and ADAS.

A test mule of what appears to be the updated Hyundai Alcazar has been caught testing in India.

The Hyundai Alcazar is expected to get several cosmetic updates. The heavy camouflage on the front and rear sections suggests that the SUV will receive a redesigned front fascia along with a few changes at the rear. These might include a new grille, bumpers, new LED headlights and tail lights, new design alloy wheels and a refreshed interior.

Hyundai is also working on the Creta facelift. The midsize SUV could borrow design cues from the flagship Palisade. It is said that the changes made to the Alcazar could be on similar lines. We can expect the refreshed models to come equipped with new features such as a 360-degree camera and ADAS.

Currently, the Alcazar is offered with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 158 BHP and 253 Nm and a 1.5-litre diesel that puts out 114 BHP and 250 Nm. While a 6-speed manual gearbox is standard, the petrol version is available with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, while the diesel gets a 6-speed automatic option.

Source: Motorbeam

The Creta Adventure Edition is available with a 1.5L petrol engine, while the Alcazar comes with either a 1.5L turbo-petrol or 1.5L diesel.

Hyundai has introduced the Creta and Alcazar Adventure Editions in India. The Creta is available in two variants priced from Rs 15.17 lakh, while the Alcazar comes in four variants priced from Rs 19.04 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Adventure Editions get an all-black front grille, black 17-inch alloy wheels with red brake calipers and special 'Adventure' badges on the fenders. Both SUVs are offered in the new Ranger Khakhi exterior colour, in addition to Abyss Black, Atlas White and Titan Grey shades.

The Adventure Editions get an all-black interior with Sage Green inserts on the dashboard, special mats and silver pedals. The SUVs also get Sage Green piping and stitching on the seats. Both models come equipped with a dashcam.

The Creta Adventure Edition is available with a 1.5-litre petrol engine that makes 113 BHP and 144 Nm. The SX variant is offered with a 6-speed manual, while the SX (O) trim gets a CVT.

The Alcazar Adventure Edition is available with either a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 158 BHP and 253 Nm or a 1.5-litre diesel that puts out 114 BHP and 250 Nm. While a 6-speed manual gearbox is standard, the petrol version is available with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, while the diesel gets a 6-speed automatic option.

Hyundai Adventure Edition ex-showroom prices:

Creta:

• 1.5L Petrol SX MT - Rs. 15,17,000
• 1.5L Petrol SX(O) CVT - Rs. 17,89,400

Alcazar:

• 1.5L Turbo Platinum MT - Rs. 19,03,600
• 1.5L Turbo Signature(O) DCT - Rs. 20,63,600
• 1.5L Diesel Platinum MT - Rs. 19,99,800
• 1.5L Diesel Signature(O) AT - Rs. 21,23,500

Reports suggest the Adventure Edition will come in a new exterior colour called "Ranger Khaki".

Hyundai is gearing up to launch the "Adventure Editions" of the Creta and Alcazar in India. Ahead of its launch, the carmaker has just released a few teaser images, revealing some details of the upcoming special edition.

The Creta and Alcazar Adventure Editions will get special fender badges with the 'Adventure' logo, black alloy wheels with red brake calipers and a black front grille with a blacked-out Hyundai logo. Reports suggest the Adventure Edition will come in a new exterior colour called "Ranger Khaki".

Inside, the SUVs could get all-black interiors with contrast stitching for the upholstery and 'Adventure Edition' badges on the headrests and door sills.

The Adventure Editions will get the same powertrain options as the standard models. The Creta comes with 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines, while the Alcazar is available with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Both models are likely to be offered with manual and automatic transmission options.

The Adventure Edition could replace the Creta Knight Edition in Hyundai's line-up.

According to a media report, Hyundai will soon roll out Adventure Editions of the Creta and Alcazar in India. The SUVs are expected to be launched around the end of August or early September.

The Adventure Editions are likely to get a new exterior colour called Ranger Khaki with contrasting black elements all around. It is said that the SUVs could get blacked-out bumper garnishes, roof rails, ORVMs and alloy wheels. Both SUVs will also get 'Adventure Edition' badges.

The Creta and Alcazar Adventure Editions are expected to get all-black interiors. Reports suggest that the SUVs could get contrast stitching for the upholstery and 'Adventure Edition' badges on the headrests and door sills.

The Adventure Editions will get the same powertrain options as the standard models. The Creta comes with 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines, while the Alcazar is available with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Both models are likely to be offered with manual and automatic transmission options.

Source: Autocar India

On the highway, the overall fuel efficiency I got was around 13.99 km/l.

BHPian bil.007 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hyundai Alcazar Ownership Review

Hello Fellow Team-BHPians,

This is my ownership review of my HYUNDAI ALCAZAR 6 Str 2.0 Petrol AT.

Bought this in July 2021.

We had been this using as the daily driver for about a year until the Harrier was bought.

Firstly, I’ll share the Pros then the Cons and lastly how I feel about the car so far. Throughout the entire post, my only aim is to give Hyundai and other stakeholders, my reviews and issues I faced with their products and they hopefully could act upon it (if it makes sense to them) to make Hyundai an even more amazing brand. I’m a fan of their idea of the above-segment features and ideas!

The Pros:

Right off the bat, The Interior, it’s just great!:

The ergonomics are well sorted, I have plenty of space to stow my phone on the side pockets of the door as they’re large enough for a 6.7-inch device, and the wireless charging space below the AC control also is well designed to keep other miscellaneous things as well, and not to forget a dedicated sunglass holder too only adds in making the overall cabin cluster free.

The rear seats get these tables and cup holders that aid in using laptops on the move and the sunshade helps keep up the privacy. There’s also wireless charging at the back with plenty of storage available under the armrest. Also, the small nets behind the front seats make it very easy to hold my AirPods and other small items.

The third row also gets a dedicated blower speed button which helps a lot in keeping the last row of passengers comfortable. Kudos to Hyundai for keeping this in mind, as other brands don’t even offer proper cooling in the second row.

Boot space with third rows folded is great, even with the last row up it is fairly adequate for small luggage, Never faced an issue there.

The infotainment screen is HD and works like a charm (mostly), sometimes it does show black screens and lags but that’s 2/10 times only. I get all related info with ease. The 360 Degree Camera does its job pretty well and helps in tight spaces, can see what's around with a click of a button, and the cameras especially on either side of the ORVM keep monitoring the wheels and make sure I see everything around the tires, making traffic driving and tight parking spot parking a breeze. Apple CarPlay being the highlight, it ups the cockpit experience. It utilizes the complete 10.25-inch display and makes driving easier, the maps are well and big, and music info is delivered in a great layout, all in all, simple and great.

BOSE Speaker system is punchy, clear and fun. New pop audios are a bliss to listen to as the bass nails the beats and make the drive an even better experience, its also loud enough for my liking (goes upto 45VOL) and it does feel like a real 35 VOL at least unlike the case generally in some cars where the top end of volume makes no difference.

Driver infotainment is something my guest are fascinated by, and I can boast about it as well! It’s simply that high-tech. I get the driver info, Highline TPMS, compass, fuel economy and more in a few clicks, also the animations of the cluster are amazing. Switching to Sports Mode gives this whole video game feeling and dials turn red and in italics. It’s one of the best things in the car.

The Exterior, Hits and Misses:

Talking about the overall design, it’s in between good and great. The front dark chrome grill does add to its character, the car feels premium on the outside because of it. The rear spoiler adds a sporty touch although it should have been an independent spoiler and not a connecting one through the C pillars like it is now, I feel it would’ve made it look much nicer. The footsteps on either side are an aid for senior citizens. The indicators could be all led considering the offerings of the competition. However at certain angles, the design seems to look like an MPV from the sides, not a big fan of this, certain things about the design and the lights, unfortunately, have to go into the Cons section and read through to find out.

The Performance, Linear Pull:

The Smartstream G2.0 MPi CVVL (G4NM) Engine imported engine is quick and has instant pull lower down the rpm. It’s fairly punchy throughout the Rev range and has a better top end than the mid. As it goes past 3000RPM the motor starts acting enthusiastically and keeps pulling the 1.4Ton vehicle. However, it does get vocal.

City mode is fairly adequate as termed, for the city. Eco is recommended mostly as FE isn’t alright; more on this in Cons, Lastly the Sports Mode is great, gives me complete power and weighs up the steering wheel as well. It’s fun to drive in stretches and triple digits are fairly easy, The 6 Speed Torque Converter is smooth and doesn’t make the shifts be felt most of the time unless in Sport. Driving in the City is a piece of cake thanks to the light steering and peppy low end not to forget the ever-helpful 360 camera system. Overall this car packs a punch, delivers power as expected and somewhere deep down pumps up the adrenaline. It’s like the car doesn’t feel like its size in straight paths and the city.

BlueLink, Absolute Convenience:

The car comes equipped with Hyundai’s BlueLink-connected car tech; in one word; it’s convenient. The remote start/stop, remote lock/unlock, ac controls, remote lights on/off, car location tracking and complete car health history along with tracked drives of the car (the speed, idle time etc.) is all a boon, especially if you’re giving your driver the car. There have been instances where the keys are at home, and I need to put some stuff in the car, I simply unlock it from the app, which saves time! , also when I’m out of station, I remotely switch on the car from anywhere in the world, so that the car stays usable. If only one thing that could be better is the network reception could be stronger, sometimes the car doesn’t respond to the BlueLink command.

It also gets all 4 discs making the braking satisfactory, It’s a confidence-inspiring set of brakes. Great work there.

The Cons:

Ride Quality, It’s Great and Plain BAD together:

In the initial days after delivery of the Alcazar I was amazed by the ride quality, it was plush and smooth in the city and glided through uneven paths (these aren’t broken routes or patches just that the road was more hollow at some places than the other). The rear seat comfort was really good, no issues at all. This is still somewhat the case in the city but not as smooth now as in the initial days; not sure if it’s the usage that leads to this or what (ODO at 26K km approx.).

Now the city part is manageable at least, things take a turn at the highway. I’ve got to commute approximately 125 km 3-4 days a week on concrete highways, and the overall ride quality was just not satisfactory. There are minor bumps and major ones too throughout the route at certain flyovers in the highway and the Alcazar just passes on every bump to the passengers with due diligence! I cruise at about 80-100 km/h and the cabin shakes up when I encounter such scenarios, it magnifies as per the intensity of the bumps. I get it, the suspension is soft and city-oriented but if I’m buying an SUV it’s kind of obvious I’ll take the cross country or at least the highway sometime in its lifetime, in my case 3-4 days a week! And any vehicle in this price bracket is expected to behave a certain way regardless of the terrain, I’m not expecting a lot but at least good highway characteristics are a must.

Especially if the car is fully loaded, the suspension bottoms out in moderate bumps. It’s understandable for the vehicle to be bouncier at such loads but not as much.

To curtail these issues, I headed onto the internet and of course, Team-BHP for solutions and ended up with the ROGERABS, which got them installed about 6 months ago. The ride quality became firmer and only helped in absorbing the bumps better due to the added stiffness, I didn’t feel any improvement in normal rides at any time. Sometimes felt that ride quality in the city was better before the BUFFERS and the only benefit I got was the reduction of jerks from the bump. I’m still using them but not sure what’s the way forward, I’m not completely satisfied with it as well.

Dynamics, not much expected, none delivered:

SUVs aren’t the epitome of driving dynamics unless it’s a PORSCHE!

I didn’t expect much from it either, turning the Alcazar at higher speeds gives a slight feel that the car doesn’t want to turn only. I suppose it could be because of the wheelbase and placement of the wheels themselves. It’s also not much enthusiastic around the corner unlike one of its rivals. I did want a slightly better dynamic response but at the end of the day, it’s simply not there, maybe a future N-Line Alcazar (if it ever comes could probably sort this out by miles.)

Fuel Efficiency, Gas Guzzler!:

In city driving, the FE is approx 6-7 km/pl in moderate traffic with the AC on. It’s a 2000cc engine so it’s expected to consume more fuel but this kind of consumption isn’t very pleasant economically. The highway is an average 12kmpl, at my best in Eco mode I extracted 17.5 km/l for the trip and shifted the overall FE to a 13.9 km/l however this was very light-footed driving at 80-90kmph speeds. Not practical at all times though. It could have been more efficient, not sure about the new Alcazar with the 1.5 TGDI, but I’ve read FE is better. I can deal with it, but better wouldn’t hurt anyone.

Lights, Simply inadequate

The all-led headlamps aren’t enough for the roads at night, they leave a particularly dark spot further on the street, illumination and throw both can be improved by leaps and bounds, It’s good for flickering though. I’ve seen other brands’ cars half the price having LEDs with a better throw than these units, this issue has been faced by many but there isn’t any proper solution except for adding custom projectors to the fog lamps. However, warranty issues may prevail, hence didn’t even think about it. Managing these units as I don’t have a viable option.

What I feel about the Alcazar

First off, the reason for initially buying the Alcazar was due to its high-tech cockpit, sorted ergonomics, spaciousness & above segment features and honestly, it has delivered where it was required. I appreciate the pickup it has, the features & convenience it offers, and the spaciousness. Now it does leave me craving for better highway and driving dynamics but there is no perfect car. The cons I’ve mentioned, if resolved, can make this my favourite car in its segment. Also, the design grows on you over time, As seen in International markets, Hyundai can deliver a much more sorted product and hopefully seeing newer cars with that level of attention to detail will only catapult the brand in terms of customer satisfaction and most other factors. This is my take on my Hyundai.

The HYUNDAI ALCAZAR.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The fuel efficiency from the SUV has never dropped below 20 km/l, which is impressive.

BHPian sids1811 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Alcazar done 50k in < 1 Year

And so the beast completes 50k in less than 11 months and what an enjoyable ride it has been. As fellow BHPian Chillajay rightly said it is not a beast but a beauty inside

Coming from a 1.6 Creta which had already done 265k km, Alcazar was just a natural progression as a Creta with a bigger boot and some extra gizmos threw in, 6-seater was not a base requirement but somehow made sense as our Highway runs are too many. These would have been used multiple times now with kids and never once they have complained (this also might be because of the company of friends they were with)

The Buying & the Choice

The only thing decided at the time of buying was a new Diesel powered car is needed as Creta had already done 250k km and needed someone to share duties with. Comfort, fuel efficiency, and ease of driving were the factors desired and Alcazar ticked all these at the right spots. Tata Safari was the only other option considered (the Safari Name pull had me for once) but somehow was not confident about how the vehicle will behave once it aged. XUV 700 was also a contender but the crazy wait times dampened our spirits.

Reviews had termed Alcazar as underpowered which when compared to our Creta it was but somehow over the entire year, we have not felt the same on the road. Perhaps the fact that it has managed to return 20 km/l consistently was a fact that made us ignore it but when you have this heavy running to do mileage matters.

The other issue was related to headlights which I also feel are a bit dim was nighttime rural driving. The first anniversary might see an addition of a Hella bar or similar to counter this.

Apart from this, Alcazar is indeed a good choice for betting your odd 20 big ones

The City Drives

Alcazar though big on the inside does not feel so overwhelming to drive in the city and is quite nimble to handle. Tight spots are a breeze thanks to the excellent 360 cam system and the width is just perfect for some of the narrow streets of our city. One amazing thing I noticed is that you cannot close ORVM above speeds of 15 or so when driving. Earlier i thought it was an error and the button had stopped functioning but later I realized you are only allowed to close the ears when at slow speeds.

Can't comment on city mileage as somehow our vehicle manages a highway run between every tankful one way or another but still my rough calculation would peg city mileage at 14-15 km/l.

The Highways

Alcazar manages to put a smile on your face when you know you are doing 90 - 110 speeds on a consistent basis and getting good mileage at the same time. At these speeds, there is enough grunt still left for overtakes and manoeuvres you might require while keeping things under control. Cruise control is easy to use and all the other controls also fall on the hand without needing to take your eyes off the road.

Contrary to what others say the continued beep over 120 is a boon, it helps you keep a check on yourself as the car is able to disguise speeds on the expressway and within no time you are exceeding these speeds. Though the expressways are great to drive in UP and other parts also in general now, you never know when a moron wants to try his luck with you any day by coming to the wrong side or whatnot.

One thing that I feel has seen serious improvement is the steering feels and handling, With Creta First gen there was a slight play in steering in handling and somehow the connect was a bit lagging say as compared to our Polo but in Alcazar, Hyundai has managed to better the feel and connect. You can be confident that the vehicle is going to go the way you direct it to immediately.

Efficiency-wise, I have seen this give a max of 26 km/l in December on Yamuma Expressway with climate control off and relaxed driving at 100, otherwise, also it has never dropped below 20 to date.

Niggles

The battery died on us one fine morning which was surprising to us for a new car less than 10 months and 45k km. Roadside assistance came to the rescue and told us a replacement is needed which will be chargeable as the warranty is for 40k km only of new cars for the battery. A couple of calls to our wonderful Hyundai dealer in the City and the same was done FOC as a goodwill gesture.

Rats were able to get the better of us and damaged the headlight and parking brake wires. As these were not insured, had to get them replaced and get a rodent treatment done which they say has a life of 6 months. If any fellow member has a solution to it, please PM, it's much needed as this will need some permanent solution.

The car came fitted with Apollo Apterra, 1 of the tires was damaged due to my driver's fault so had to replace 2 of these with Bridgestone and the car has been running with s staggered set-up since. My experience with Apollo had not been good in our earlier cars' OEM tires but somehow the remaining 2 have managed to cross 50k with good rubber still left on them, Still 18 inches are a bad choice as the options are limited, and the low aspect ratio makes for some stiffness and somehow the big thuds do travel to you.

Summary

Alcazar manages to bring a smile after a long day and it is that all matters, the sound insulation is brilliant, forget the engine noise, you don't even realize how high your own horn is outside when sitting inside the vehicle.

The car is full of party tricks such as ORVM display on the speedo, the digital speedo, ambient lights and a brilliant system. I somehow found my Creta music system to have better sound quality but the family thinks otherwise so the issue settled on that one.

So, is Alcazar the perfect 6-seater, well it is far from it but is Alcazar a perfect big Creta, you can bet on it for sure

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