Hyundai’s popular seven-seat Grand Creta has gained fresh styling, a consolidated local model line-up and, indeed, a new name. Say hello to the Alcazar…
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Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 Executive diesel AT Fast Facts
- Price: R599 900
- Top speed: 190 km/h
- Power: 85 kW
- Torque: 250 N.m
- CAR Fuel index: 7.8 L/100km
- CO₂: 148 g/km
Sharing its underpinnings, design language and broad specification sheet with its smaller Creta sibling, it seemed obvious at the time for an extended, seven-seater version of Hyundai’s popular compact SUV to adopt the Grand Creta name in our market. Tested in our August 2022 issue, this then-new entry impressed with its build quality, well-considered interior packaging and the 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.
Slightly longer and wider than the outgoing Grand Creta, the Alcazar’s arguably more European styling compared with its modern Creta relation lends Hyundai’s compact people mover a newfound sense of presence. 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 cabin of both the outgoing Grand Creta and the Alcazar is. In the latter, this introduces a generous amount of adjustment, including 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 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 8.0-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 against the Alcazar’s packaging (carried over from the Grand Creta) is the omission 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.
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Based on a compact SUV, owners should expect relatively limited packaging space behind the vehicle’s third row of seating. 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 retained 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-use fuel route.
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 systems.
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.
A closer look at the June issue’s list of Chinese brands either already here, 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 to include a reputation for reliability and notable levels of after-sales service. Still based on the modern Creta (look out for our July issue to see how this product fares against its competition), 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.
Find the full feature in the June 2025 issue of CAR Magazine.
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