The 7-seater Alcazar Platinum (O) is only offered with the 1.5-litre diesel engine and 6-speed AT combination.

Hyundai has launched a new mid-spec Platinum (O) 7-seater variant of the Alcazar. It is priced at Rs. 19,63,900 (ex-showroom).

In terms of pricing, the Platinum (O) 7-seater is positioned below the 6-seater version. However, it is similarly equipped, the only difference being the second-row bench seat. So, you still get features like the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bose sound system, ambient lighting, electrically adjustable driver seat, wireless charging, electric tailgate, 360-degree camera and 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.

The 7-seater Alcazar Platinum (O) is only offered with the 1.5-litre diesel engine. It produces 113 BHP and 250 Nm and comes paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Hyundai also offers the Alcazar with a 2.0-litre petrol engine that puts out 157 BHP and 191 Nm with the option of a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

I am looking for ride comfort and safety (good braking performance) as major factors.

BHPian funda2max recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi all. I will be getting a Hyundai Alcazar in about two weeks. I was looking to upgrade to a better brand tyres. It comes with 215/55 R18 shod with JK tyres rubber. Can you please suggest options available? I am looking for ride comfort and safety (good braking performance) as major factors.

Here's what BHPian a4anurag had to say on the matter:

A quick google search for other tyres available in 215/55 R18 leads to Continental Ultra Contact UC6. Priced roughly at Rs. 12,500.

Here's what BHPian kpzen had to say on the matter:

215/55 R18 is a new size in the market. Limited options available at the moment. Would suggest to use the OEM Aptera for now and upgrade later once the options build up in market.

UC6 is a good value for money tire. Many people are using them in different cars and are fairly happy with it. Since it was launched recently, the life of the tire is unknown.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Honda is likely to launch a mid-size SUV to compete with the Alcazar, Hector Plus and Safari.

Looks like Honda has finally narrowed down on the next SUV for the Indian market. If recent reports are to be believed, the Japanese carmaker is planning to enter the mid-size SUV segment. Whether it will be able to replicate the success of the Kia Seltos and MG Hector, only time will tell.

We know that Honda was evaluating the HR-V for India. The project had even reached the trial production phase before it was scrapped. Honda realized that 30% localization wouldn't be enough to offer the HR-V at a competitive price.

This prompted the company to look at other segments. At one point, Honda was considering an Amaze-based compact SUV. But, given how crowded this segment already was, it made little business sense.

Now, Honda has shifted its focus back to the mid-size SUV segment. But this time, instead of the HR-V, it is believed that a City-based SUV is being considered for India.

That's where the N7X concept SUV comes into the picture. The car was revealed in Indonesia earlier this year. The report states that Honda could offer the all-new model, dubbed the S-SUV, in two seating configurations - 5-seater and 7-seater. While the 5-seater will compete with the Creta and Seltos, the latter will take on the Alcazar, Hector Plus and the Tata Safari.

The S-SUV is expected to share its engines and suspension components with the City. It could also use the BR-V's electrical and electronic architecture to reduce costs further.

Rumours suggest that the S-SUV won't go on sale anytime before 2023. Once launched, Honda hopes to sell around 40,000 units per year.

Source: Autocar India

The Alcazar competes with the Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus in the Indian market.

Hyundai has announced that it has received over 11,000 bookings for the Alcazar SUV in less than a month since its launch.

The Alcazar was launched on June 18. The SUV is available in 6-seat or 7-seat configurations and three trims - Prestige, Platinum and Signature.

According to Hyundai, one-third of the bookings are for the top-spec 'Signature' trim, while diesel variants constitute about 63% of the total bookings. More than 5,600 units have already been sold.

The Alcazar is available with two engine options – a 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 157 BHP and 191 Nm and a 1.5-litre diesel engine that puts out 113 BHP and 250 Nm. Both engines are offered with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Alcazar competes with the Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus in the Indian market.

Hyundai Alcazar

What you’ll like:

• A 3-row family car that's well-built inside out
• User-friendly interiors look really good (brown shade is awesome) and have quality parts
• 2.0L NA petrol & 6-speed AT deliver a very smooth and refined driving experience
• Economical 1.5L diesel is available in MT & AT variants. Offers good driveability
• Comfortable ride quality with neutral road manners
• Unladen ground clearance of 200 mm is perfect for Indian roads
• The Alcazar's safety package includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, auto-hold, TPMS etc.
• Impressive kit (fully digital instruments, 360-degree camera, 2nd-row wireless charger, panoramic sunroof, paddle shifters, Bose sound system, cooled seats & loads more)
• Hyundai's competent after-sales service & wide dealer network

What you won’t:

• Oddball love-it-or-hate-it face. We find the Alcazar's front design to be weird & overdone
• 2nd-row legroom is mediocre (captain seat variant). Compromises have been made to accommodate the 3rd-row & boot
• 3rd-row seat is best suited to kids only. Not really a place for adults
• Rs. ~3 lakh OTR premium over the Creta on the higher variants is too much!
• Nothing for enthusiasts here. The 2.0 AT is tuned very conservatively
• Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – are the lowest in the segment
• The Creta 1.4L DCT is a lot, lot more fun to drive
• Competitors like the Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus & XUV500 offer way more spacious cabins
• Some misses (no petrol AT 7-seater variant, auto wipers, illuminated window buttons, full-size spare tyre on top trims etc.)

Review Link

Tata Safari

What you’ll like:

• The iconic brand “Safari” is back! We agree with using the legendary nameplate for this car
• Stunning looks & strong road presence. Solid build too
• Classy, spacious cabin with comfortable seats & a chilling air-con
• Extra 3rd row of seats brings lots more practicality & utility
• Superb captain chairs available as an option for the middle row (top variant only)
• Extras over the Harrier include rear disc brakes, TPMS, e-parking brake, auto-hold, boss mode…
• Fantastic 9-speaker audio system. Sound quality & bass are enjoyable
• 168 BHP 2.0L diesel offers good driveability and a punchy mid-range
• Smooth & competent 6-speed automatic transmission
• Sufficient ground clearance + terrain response system for rough and wet roads
• Topnotch safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, rest break reminder, hill hold, brake disc wiping & more
• Features such as the panoramic sunroof, Eco & Sport modes, auto headlamps & wipers, cruise control…

What you won’t:

• Heavy steering gets cumbersome at parking / u-turn / crawling speeds (<5 km/h)
• 3rd row access is too difficult in the captain seat variant
• Negligible boot space with all the seats up - a paltry 73 liters
• Safari AT’s focus is on smoothness & comfort; gearbox is not the most responsive
• Concerns over niggles & long-term reliability. Our test car had a problem too!
• Service visit every 6 months / 7,500 km (12-months is the norm today)
• Diesel engine does get loud above 3,500 rpm & its engine note is quite sad too
• No petrol option (almost all competitors offer it). No AWD for enthusiasts either
• Although improved, the Safari's steering @ 120 km/h is still a level too sensitive
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
• By 2021 standards, we’d expect wireless charging + front / 360 camera + ventilated seats
• We don’t agree with the excessive chrome (outside), impractical white interiors & 18” rims (bit firmer ride)

Review Link

MG Hector Plus

• What you'll like:
• Big size & lots of bling for the money! We find the Hector to be well-priced
• A spacious cabin that can easily seat 5 adults. Massive 587 litre boot too
• Fiat-sourced 2.0L diesel is simply fantastic
• Compliant ride quality. Suspension is tuned for comfort
• Lots of kit (panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric seats & tailgate etc.)
• ‘Connected’ Tablet ICE with an embedded SIM & lovely sound quality
• 5-year / unlimited km warranty with roadside assistance
• Top safety equipment includes 6 airbags, ESP, HSA, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS & more

What you won't:

• Awkward styling on the side & rear profiles. Looks weird from some angles
• Sloppy high-speed handling, noticeable body roll & easy understeer
• The petrol engine is “adequate” at best. Its guzzling Automatic variant is unimpressive
• No Diesel AT (Alcazar, XUV500, Safari offer this combination, which we love)
• Some annoyances like the ~6 meter turning radius, strange rpm meter…
• Small after-sales network. Service quality & long-term reliability are big unknowns
• Don’t get blinded by the British branding. This is a Chinese car

Review Link

Mahindra XUV500

What you’ll like:

• A well-engineered, contemporary SUV with a value-for-money price tag
• More mature styling. Front end no longer looks garish
• Acres of space on the 1st & 2nd seat rows
• Competent engine delivers fantastic urban driveability, as well as fast highway performance
• Balanced ride & handling package
• Safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP with rollover mitigation, ABS + EBD and all-wheel disc brakes
• Expansive feature list (sunroof, touchscreen ICE, powered driver's seat, cruise control etc.)

What you won’t:

• Absolutely no luggage capacity with all the seats in place
• Cramped 3rd seat row is best suited to children only. A sliding middle row is sorely missed
• Interior quality, although better, still has a lot of scope for improvement
• Clutch is lighter now, but has a long travel range & high resting point. Gets cumbersome in traffic
• Niggles & issues, as reported by existing XUV500 owners
• Mahindra's inconsistent sales & service experiences

Review Link

Review Link - Diesel AT

Toyota Innova Crysta

What you'll like:

• Indestructible build & durability. The Innova is known for its bullet-proof reliability
• Spacious, flexible & practical cabin. An extremely comfortable long distance commuter
• Upmarket interiors. The ZX AT variant is very plush
• Powerful diesel engines with user-selectable driving modes
• Balanced suspension & road manners. High speed stability is rock solid
• Top-notch safety kit. 7 airbags, ABS, ESP, TC, Isofix & 3-point seatbelts for all
• Feature packed! Leather seats, LED headlamps, mood lighting, cruise control & lots more
• Toyota's excellent after-sales service and fuss-free ownership experiences

What you won't:

• Hefty price tag! 3 - 4 lakhs higher than the competition
• Top ZX variant is unavailable with a middle-row bench seat (8 seater)
• Lower variant's interior looks too basic
• 2.4's NVH package still has holes to fill (engine clatter, dancing gear lever)
• Heavy steering at parking / low speeds. Can get cumbersome in the city
• Poor sound quality from the ICE. Cheap speakers beg for an upgrade

Review Link

Click here to read BHPian comments

Hyundai has used a relatively big 2.0-litre NA petrol engine to power the new Alcazar.

Driving the 2.0L Petrol AT

2.0 naturally aspirated petrol engine makes 157 BHP @ 6,500 rpm and 191 Nm @ 4,500 rpm:

Hyundai has used a relatively big 2.0-litre NA petrol engine to power the new Alcazar. We feel this is to 'differentiate' the product, but the Creta's 1.4-litre turbo-petrol is quite impressive too. GTO says that he now prefers the power delivery of turbo-petrols over naturally-aspirated ones. One big advantage though is the tried & tested torque-converter AT on the Alcazar 2.0-litre; the Creta 1.4's dual-clutch AT might be troublesome in the long run (many BHPians are already reporting issues). This 2.0L petrol engine is shared with the Elantra and uses an aluminium block. It develops power & torque figures of 157 BHP (@ 6,500 rpm) and 191 Nm (@ 4,500 rpm) and is offered with 6-speed MT or AT options. Before we even get started on the nature of this engine and gearbox, let's get one thing out of the way - If you are looking for something to tickle the enthusiast part of your brain, just go for the Creta 1.4 turbo-petrol DCT. It's a lot more fun to drive due to the power delivery of that turbo-engine, the fast DCT, tighter suspension setup and smaller size.

We got to drive only the AT variant and considering that most premium segment customers prefer slushboxes, this will be a popular one (also more reliable than DCTs). This is a simple old-school torque converter unit which, along with the 2.0-litre engine, makes the Alcazar smooth & easy to drive. Of course, as we have seen with other torque-converter Hyundai ATs, it's not a fast-shifting transmission. The focus here is on comfort, not hard driving. The AT goes about its business in a relaxed manner and does a competent job of getting the car from point A to point B with zero fuss. The Alcazar gets 3 driving modes - Eco, Sport & Normal. These modes alter the engine and transmission logic to suit the driver's preferences.

The Alcazar moves off the line very smoothly upon releasing the brake. With a light foot on the accelerator, one cannot feel any jerks at all while the shifts are being executed. Together with the light steering, the automatic is a breeze to drive in the city. Owners will enjoy its smooth, refined nature. Press the accelerator hard and the transmission responds at times, but gets confused at others. Sometimes, there is a delay of over a second before a downshift is executed. Moreover, the Alcazar also tends to shift gears excessively with a heavy foot. Our advice = it's best to drive this car with light to medium-level throttle inputs. That's what the engine & gearbox combination enjoy the most (unlike the Creta 1.4L DCT which loves being pushed hard).

Like normal mode, Eco is very useable in the city. Owners will probably use this mode the most, as a big petrol engine + TC AT usually mean low fuel economy. As city driving speeds are low, the duller performance isn't a handicap and the car can easily take care of commuting duties.

With 157 horses on tap, performance is satisfactory on the highway. There is more than enough muscle to carry a full load of passengers as well. However, the car doesn't feel aggressive to drive like the Creta 1.4. The Alcazar is at its best in the hands of a driver who gradually builds speed. The engine revs freely and power delivery is linear (like most NA petrols). You can cruise at 100 km/h with the engine revving at a relaxed 2,100 rpm. In a pedal to the metal driving style, the engine revs till ~6,500 rpm before upshifting. But again, keeping the relaxed nature of this transmission in mind, it's best to avoid an aggressive driving style. Overtaking is quick & easy at most times, although in some situations, the gearbox doesn't downshift and that can catch you out. Here, Sport mode comes in handy. It makes the engine hold onto revs a little longer before shifting up. The throttle and engine responses are sharper in Sport. For quick overtaking, this is the mode I would recommend.

You can use the manual shifting arrangement by pulling the gear lever to the right and pushing the lever to the front to upshift and back to downshift. Or you can just pull on the paddle shifters. In manual mode as well, the gearbox is tuned conservatively and it won't allow you to downshift aggressively. On many occasions, it didn't even allow us to downshift at merely 3,600 rpm! Honestly though, you should simply let the electronics do the shifting. If you're in the mood for speed, engage Sport mode (in D). Of course, manual mode can come in handy when you need engine braking (e.g. going downhill) or when you want to bring the engine into its powerband before an overtaking move.

Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH)

The overall driving experience is very smooth & refined. It is only at high rpms (over 5,000 rpm) that the motor gets very boomy. If you are continuously redlining it, your passengers might find the boominess irritating.

Mileage & Fuel Economy

Hyundai claims a fuel economy rating of 14.2 km/l for the AT variant (14.5 km/l for MT). Big petrol engines & torque-converters are never FE champions. Be prepared for that, especially in a world where a litre costs 100 bucks! If you are going to drive a lot, we will strongly recommend the economical diesel instead.

Suspension

Ride Comfort

The Alcazar rides on a McPherson strut suspension up front and a torsion beam setup at the rear. Start driving and you will immediately notice that the Alcazar rides in a comfortable manner. We were worried that Hyundai would stiffen up the suspension too much for the added weight (make it like the Seltos), but that's clearly not the case here. Low-speed ride quality is acceptably absorbent and even large potholes are handled well. IMHO, the suspension tune is perfect for a 6/7 seater like the Alcazar. It's neither too soft, nor too stiff.

The Alcazar rides on 215/55 section tyres on 18-inch wheels and has a recommended tyre pressure of 33 PSI (35 PSI - full load) which is the same as the Creta. The base variant riding on 215/60 R17 tyres will offer a cushier ride.

Handling & Dynamics

Out on the highway, the Alcazar stays composed. Its road manners are neutral, just as you would expect from a 3-row family crossover. You can cruise at highway speeds quite comfortably. However, it doesn't ride as flat as the Creta and high-speed undulations do make the car feel a bit wallowy.

Throw the Alcazar around a corner and it responds better than you'd expect from a 6/7 seater. Yes, there's body roll, but it's within acceptable limits (but not sporty like a Kia Seltos). On curves, the car will hold its line and a big contributor to this are the Apollo Apterra Cross tyres. They provide good levels of grip and suit the car well. Also, good to know that the Alcazar has electronic stability control to help in emergency situations.

Steering

The steering is one finger light in the city and weighs up nicely as you gain speed. Don't expect much feel or feedback though.

Braking

Rear disc brakes are standard across all variants, which is a good thing. They work well in normal as well as emergency conditions and owners won't complain. They do the job.

Continue reading the discussion on the 2021 Hyundai Alcazar on our forum.

Hyundai Alcazar Pros

• A 3-row family car that's well-built inside out
• User-friendly interiors look really good (brown shade is awesome) and have quality parts
• 2.0L NA petrol & 6-speed AT deliver a very smooth and refined driving experience
• Economical 1.5L diesel is available in MT & AT variants. Offers good driveability
• Comfortable ride quality with neutral road manners
• Unladen ground clearance of 200 mm is perfect for Indian roads
• The Alcazar's safety package includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, auto-hold, TPMS etc.
• Impressive kit (fully digital instruments, 360-degree camera, 2nd-row wireless charger, panoramic sunroof, paddle shifters, Bose sound system, cooled seats & loads more)
• Hyundai's competent after-sales service & wide dealer network

Hyundai Alcazar Cons

• Oddball love-it-or-hate-it face. We find the Alcazar's front design to be weird & overdone
• 2nd-row legroom is mediocre (captain seat variant). Compromises have been made to accommodate the 3rd-row & boot
• 3rd-row seat is best suited to kids only. Not really a place for adults
• Rs. ~3 lakh OTR premium over the Creta on the higher variants is too much!
• Nothing for enthusiasts here. The 2.0 AT is tuned very conservatively
• Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – are the lowest in the segment
• The Creta 1.4L DCT is a lot, lot more fun to drive
• Competitors like the Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus & XUV500 offer way more spacious cabins
• Some misses (no auto wipers, illuminated window buttons, full-size spare tyre on top trims etc.)

Read Team-BHP's Detailed Hyundai Alcazar Review.

The Alcazar is available in 6 or 7-seat configuration and three trim levels - Prestige, Platinum and Signature.

Looking for a 6/7-seater SUV for your family? Well, your task got a bit more difficult. After Tata and MG, now Hyundai has jumped into the fray with the Alcazar.

The Alcazar is Hyundai's answer to the Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus. It is being offered in three trim levels - Prestige, Platinum and Signature with prices starting at Rs. 16.30 lakh (ex-showroom, India).

The Alcazar is based on the same platform as the popular Creta. It has a wheelbase of 2,760 mm, which is 150 mm more than the 5-seater Creta. The car also has a longer rear overhang that frees up space to accommodate the third row of seats.

The Alcazar has a similar front fascia to the Creta. However, it gets a diamond-studded pattern on the grille, redesigned front bumpers and different alloy wheels. At the rear, the SUV gets new wraparound tail lamps, dual exhausts and a skid plate. It rides on 18-inch alloy wheels.

The interior of the Alcazar also seems familiar as it uses the same dashboard as the Creta. The car is available in 6-seat and 7-seat configurations. The former gets separate captain seats in the second row with a centre console equipped with an armrest and cup holders between them. The third row of seats can recline and can also be folded flat for extra luggage space.

Hyundai Alcazar feature highlights:

• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• BlueLink connected car features
• Digital instrument cluster
• Ventilated seats
• Panoramic sunroof
• Wireless phone charging
• Automatic climate control
• Rotary drive mode selector (Eco / City / Sport)
• 6 airbags
• 360-degree camera
• Blindspot camera

The Alcazar is available with two engine options – a 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 157 BHP and 191 Nm and a 1.5-litre diesel engine that puts out 113 BHP and 250 Nm. Both engines are offered with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. 

Hyundai Alcazar colour options:

• Taiga Brown
• Typhoon Silver
• Polar White
• Titan Grey
• Phantom Black
• Starry Night
• Polar White / Phantom Black
• Titan Grey / Phantom Black

Hyundai Alcazar ex-showroom prices:

Petrol

• Prestige 7-seat MT - Rs. 16,30,300
• Platinum 7-seat MT - Rs. 18,22,300
• Signature 6-seat MT - Rs. 18,70,900
• Prestige 6-seat AT - Rs. 17,93,300
• Platinum 6-seat AT - Rs. 19,55,900
• Signature 6-seat AT - Rs. 19,84,900

Diesel

• Prestige 7-seat MT - Rs. 16,53,300
• Platinum 7-seat MT - Rs. 18,45,300
• Prestige 7-seat AT - Rs. 18,01,300
• Signature 6-seat MT - Rs. 18,93,900
• Platinum 6-seat AT - Rs. 19,78,900
• Signature 6-seat AT - Rs. 19,99,900

The top-end variant will come with 6 airbags, blindspot camera, electrically adjustable driver's seat, and ventilated front seats.

A document revealing the features and specifications of the upcoming Hyundai Alcazar has been leaked online. The SUV will come in three variants - Prestige, Platinum and Signature.

Here's a look at the features that the three variants will get.

Prestige

The base variant will come with 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 215/60 section rubber, a 10.25-inch touchscreen head-unit, semi digital instrument cluster, rear parking camera, panoramic sunroof, cruise control, 6-speaker Arkamys Sound system, and LED headlights and tail lights.

Platinum

The mid variant will be equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 215/55 section rubber, BlueLink, 8-speaker Bose sound system, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 360 degree camera, height-adjustable seat belts, keyless entry & engine start-stop button, and an air purifier.

Signature

In addition to these features, the top-end variant will come with 6 airbags, blindspot camera, electrically adjustable driver's seat, and ventilated front seats.

The Alcazar will be powered by two engines – a 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 157 BHP and 191 Nm and a 1.5-litre diesel engine that puts out 113 BHP and 250 Nm. Both engines will be offered with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. All variants get a 17-inch steel spare wheel.

Image Source: TheCarsShow by Arsh Jolly

The petrol manual returns 14.5km/l and the automatic returns 14.2km/l. The diesel manual returns 20.4 km/l while the automatic returns 18.1 km/l.

Hyundai is scheduled to launch the Alcazar SUV on June 18, 2021. Last week the brochure of the car was leaked online and now, the fuel efficiency figures have been revealed in a video.

The Alcazar will be powered by two engines – a 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 157 BHP and 192 Nm and a 1.5-litre diesel engine that puts out 113 BHP and 250 Nm. Both engines are offered with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. According to the information available, the petrol manual returns 14.5km/l and the automatic returns 14.2km/l. The diesel manual returns 20.4 km/l while the automatic returns 18.1 km/l.

The Alcazar is slightly longer than the Creta. It has a wheelbase of 2,760 mm. The SUV will be offered in 6-seat and 7-seat configurations and three trim levels - Prestige, Platinum and Signature.

The 6-seat version gets captain seats in the second row with a centre console that has a wireless charger and cup holders for rear-seat passengers. There are front row seatback tables and an AQI display on the front centre armrest.

The Alcazar comes equipped with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that has an integrated Blind View Monitor. Other features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with BlueLink and OTA Map updates, voice-enabled panoramic sunroof, 64 colour ambient lighting and a Bose audio system. The car also comes with three drive modes - Comfort, Eco and Sport, as well as three traction modes - Snow, Sand, and Mud.