Hyundai Alcazar launch on June 18

Hyundai India has decided to launch the Alcazar on June 18. The Alcazar will be placed in between the Creta and the Tucson in Hyundai’s SUV family. The seven-seater Alcazar will compete with MG Hector Plus, the Tata Safari, and the upcoming Mahindra XUV700. In the month of April 2021 we drove the prototype Alcazar and now with launch in sight and more new information on the production model, here is what you can expect from it.

Exterior

Even with a similar platform, the Alcazar will have its own distinct look. It has a wheelbase of 2760mm, which is 150mm longer than that of the Creta. And the first noticeable differences are the extended overhang, higher roofline and upfront back to fit extra seats, which adds approximately 200kg more. Front end retains the Hyundai’s signature grille but with a new chrome-studded pattern and subtle touches to the LED DRL signatures. It will also get rear disc brakes and 18-inch alloy wheels, a size larger than those on the Creta. Hyundai Alcazar has the third row in a 50:50 split with a boot space of 180 litres with seats upright, much more than the Tata Safari’s 73-litre and MG Hector’s 155-litre boot space.

Interior

Having a longer wheelbase might help the legroom, space and headroom in the middle row, but after driving the prototype early this year, we figured that the third row is only suitable for children. Other listed features are front ventilated seats, a 10.25 digital cluster housed in a dashboard similar to the Creta, Bose premium sound system (8 Speakers), voice enabled smart panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting with 64 colours, air purifier with AQI display, front row seat back table with retractable cup-holder and IT device holder, second row one touch tip and tumble seats (Captain and 60:40 split seats).

The Engine

Both petrol and diesel engines will be offered on the Hyundai Alcazar. The 2-litre petrol engine borrowed from the Tucson produces 157 bhp and 191Nm of torque. And an identical-spec 1.5-litre diesel engine from the Creta will put out 113.5bhp and 250Nm. Both engines have six-speed manual and automatic transmission choices.

Driving Experience

In the month of April 2021 we drove the prototype Hyundai Alcazar. The Alcazar gets a quiet driving experience and better cabin noise insulation than the Creta. Bump sound on bad roads is reduced significantly by new hydraulic dampers fitted with better bushings. The 2.0-litre engine is also punchy and focussed on widespread torque delivery makes it easy to drive. Suspension setup is more on the firm side to accommodate extra seats and the ride feels planted with not much body roll.

Prices

The Hyundai Alcazar is expected to cost between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh more than the Creta, depending on the variant. The Creta is currently priced Rs 15.41 lakh, ex-showroom, so expect the Alcazar to be priced in the ballpark of Rs 16 lakh ex-showroom for the base variant while higher-spec variants would possibly cross the Rs 20 lakh mark.