2024 Hyundai Alcazar : Underrated Gem?

The updated 2024 Hyundai Alcazar was launched in September 2024. Since its launch, it has not seen a respectable sales figure for any month post its launch. Even though the Alcazar offers almost everything needed for a flagship crossover and offers premium interiors, the vehicle has fallen under a rock and gets virtually no attention. Is the Alcazar underrated?

Design

The 2024 Hyundai Alcazar comes with several design updates. The front fascia features a larger dark chrome grille, quad-beam LED headlamps, and new H-shaped LED daytime running lights connected by a slim light bar. Along the sides, the crossover gets redesigned 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. At the rear, it includes connected LED tail lamps, a revised spoiler, and an updated skid plate.

The Alcazar offers a polarising design that some have termed as making it look like an extended Hyundai Exter. Some find it premium and like it, while some find it overdone and tacky. As always, looks are subjective.

Interior

Step inside the 2024 Hyundai Alcazar and you’ll notice a more upmarket feel right away. The cabin now comes in a dual-tone Dark Blue and Tan colour scheme. Depending on the variant, you can choose between a six or seven-seater layout. The six-seater gets captain seats in the second row, complete with features like ventilated seats, winged headrests, and adjustable thigh support that boost passenger comfort on longer drives. Up front, there are two 10.25-inch screens: one for infotainment and one for the digital instrument cluster, both offering smartphone connectivity. A panoramic sunroof, wireless charging pads for front and rear passengers, and subtle ambient lighting round off a cabin that feels modern without being over the top.

Evidently, the interior of the Alcazar is a great place to be, arguably boasting one of the best interiors in its segment and price range. The appeal and quality of the interior are top-notch, along with almost all the features available in the market today at this price point.

Powertrain

The Alcazar comes with two engine options, a 1.5L turbo-petrol mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine produces 160 BHP & 253 Nm of torque. There’s a 1.5L turbo-diesel on offer too, also available with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed standard automatic transmission. The diesel produces 116 BHP & 250 Nm of torque. The engine options are adequate and offer enough performance for most, however, rivals from Tata & Mahindra offer larger 2.0L engines, with the XUV700 offering a 2.0L turbo-petrol producing 200 BHP & 380 Nm of torque, while the Tata Safari gets a 2.0L turbo-diesel engine producing 170 BHP & 350 Nm of torque.

Pricing and Rivals

The Hyundai Alcazar now starts from Rs. 14.99 Lakh (ex-showroom) and goes all the way up to 21.70 Lakh Rupees Ex-showroom. This puts the Alcazar in the ring with its main rival being some variants of the XUV700, along with other cars such as the MG Hector, Tata Safari, and its sister MPV, the Kia Carens.

Verdict

For a customer looking for a premium crossover that is comfortable, luxurious and boasts all the features one would require, the Alcazar checks all boxes. But, the Alcazar is not a safe car, as the first generation scored a poor 3-star safety rating. Rivals such as the Mahindra XUV700 & Tata Safari offer larger, more powerful engines for those looking for performance, and offer 5-star safety ratings as well.