South Korea’s seven-seat Alcazar has some of China’s niche SUVs set in its sights. We’ve driven it ahead of its local launch, and this is what we think of it…
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Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 Executive diesel AT Fast Facts
- Price: R599 900
- Powertrain: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbodiesel
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Power: 85 kW @ 4 000 r/min
- Torque: 250 N.m @ 1 500 – 2 750 r/min
- Top speed: 190 km/h
- Claimed fuel consumption: 6.5 L/100 km
- CAR fuel route: 6.7 L/100 km
What are we driving?
Sharing its underpinnings, design language and broad specification sheet with its smaller Creta sibling, it seemed obvious at the time for an extended, 7-seater version of Hyundai’s popular compact SUV to adopt the Grand Creta name in our market. This vehicle impressed with its build quality, well-considered interior packaging, and relatively niche ability in this segment to accommodate six passengers.
With the groundwork laid, an update to this package has introduced fresh exterior styling that aligns it closer to its forthcoming new Santa Fe sibling, a consolidated local model lineup, and, indeed, the Alcazar nameplate used from the outset in the Indian market where this vehicle is produced.
Why is the Hyundai Alcazar significant?
Slightly longer and wider than the outgoing Grand Creta, the Alcazar’s arguably more European styling compared with its modern Creta relation introduces a newfound sense of presence for Hyundai’s compact people mover. Available in two generously equipped specification grades, Executive and Elite, the entry point into the range gains 17-inch alloy wheels, full colour-coding, distinct chrome-look cladding on the lower grille, side sills and rear bumper, roof rails and LED lighting, including the brand’s signature H-pattern DRLs and fashionable light bars, front and rear. A flagship Elite derivative ships with 18-inch alloys and a panoramic sunroof.
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A vehicle aimed at young families, Hyundai deserves credit for how well thought-out the cabins are in both the outgoing Grand Creta and the Alcazar. In the latter, this means a generous amount of adjustment, such as on the seat and steering column for the driver, a considered selection of soft-touch surfaces, myriad interior storage options and all the modern technology you could possibly want. This includes USB-A and USB-C ports (including in the third row), digital instrumentation, and wireless smartphone charging with simultaneous screen mirroring to a crisp 8-inch infotainment display. If the size of this touchscreen reads small by modern standards, we’d argue the inclusion of physical buttons and dials alongside it, including for volume control, compensates. Similarly, the manual controls for the Executive derivative’s air-conditioning system, which are situated below this, offer a welcome back-to-basics functionality. Climate control is added to the Elite model.
Finished in artificial leather, we like that the 50:50-split third row folds flat into the luggage compartment when not required, and that the usability of this row is enhanced via a sliding function on the 60:40-split second-row bench and a one-touch fold and tumble action – also in a 60:40-split – on this middle row of seating.
The only black mark we have against the Alcazar’s packaging (carried over from the Grand Creta) is the non-inclusion of a rear parcel shelf. With no way to hide stored luggage from prying eyes, we’d be negotiating with our Hyundai dealer to have the rear glass section of this vehicle tinted as dark as possible.
What does the Hyundai Alcazar cost?
- Hyundai Alcazar 2.0 Executive AT – R499 900
- Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 Executive AT – R599 900
- Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 Elite AT – R669 900
The Alcazar is sold with a 7 year/200 000 km warranty and 3 year/45 000 km service plan
What are the Hyundai Alcazar’s rivals?
A relatively niche segment, we’d suggest the Alcazar’s rivals include the seven-seat Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and Jetour X70 Plus.
What is the new Hyundai Alcazar like to drive?
While the Alcazar is also available locally with a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine, Hyundai South Africa will rightly be making a big deal of the fact that it has managed to retain the brand’s impressive 1.5-litre turbodiesel mill for our market. With a manual transmission no longer offered in the range, the real-world benefits of the 1 493 cm3 “Smartstream” diesel powertrain include its 250 N.m of torque available from just 1 500 r/min, and what should be segment-leading average fuel consumption. Paired with an excellent 6-speed automatic transmission, we averaged 6.7 L/100 km on our mixed-conditions fuel route, good for a range of up to 641 km per tank. Including 200 mm worth of ground clearance, another highlight of the Alcazar package is its well-considered default ride quality. While it’s unlikely many owners will engage hill-decent control or delve into the vehicle’s “traction” menu to unlock snow, mud or sand driving modes, our time spent behind the wheel revealed more than enough compliance and poise to tackle sections of gravel driving. Likely more relevant is the ease with which this Hyundai can be manoeuvred around an urban environment, including a lightweight steering setup and a full bouquet of parking assistance.
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Together with an upgrade to adaptive cruise control, Elite specification also introduces a front parking camera and several advanced driving assistance systems, including lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warnings and driver fatigue monitoring.
Verdict
The comprehensive list of Chinese brands either already in South Africa or planning to introduce their wares reveals many products aimed squarely at the space the Korean brands have worked hard to occupy. While much of the appeal of these newcomers seems destined to remain focused on perceived value, a brand like Hyundai will contend that its established offering extends somewhat beyond an initial asking price, including a reputation for reliability and notable levels of after-sales service
Still based on the modern Creta, on exterior styling alone, the updates made to Hyundai’s compact seven-seater seem to justify its graduation from being marketed as a derivative to earning a dedicated nameplate.
Fitted with the impressively refined and frugal turbodiesel engine, and together with a still-compelling standard specification list – and despite the adjustment of this vehicle’s service plan from 4 years/60 000 km to 3 years/45 000 km – we’d suggest the derivative tested here is the sweet spot of the Alcazar range.
