Hyundai’s Alcazar Debuts As An Extended Creta

• Its 2,760mm wheelbase is 150mm longer than the Creta and even edges out the Safari and Hector Plus.

• Gets distinctive styling such as a tweaked front end, larger 18-inch wheels, an upright rear end, and conventional LED tail lamps.

• Third row occupants will also get dedicated AC vents with speed controls.

• It will be powered by 2.0-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines, with 6-speed manual and automatic gearbox options.

• Expected to launch around early May. 

After several teasers, leaked images and a name reveal, Hyundai India has unveiled its next big thing for India: the Alcazar 7-seater SUV. It’s essentially an extended three-row version of the Creta but it does get some unique bits that give it its own identity.

While the Alcazar is relatively similar to the Creta on the outside, Hyundai has altered the 7-seater SUV’s design. Up front, you get a chrome studded grille with chrome accents extending towards the headlamps and DRLs. The fog lamps are different and the front bumper features silver skid plates. 

It's pretty obvious from the sides that the Alcazar is longer than the Creta by a fair margin due to the addition of the third row. Its 2,760mm wheelbase is 150mm longer than the Creta, and slightly edges out its rivals: the Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus. It also gets a better stance thanks to larger 18-inch wheels. Its rear end is upright to accommodate the third row with a conventional pair of LED tail lamps connected by a chrome strip.

It is a similar story in the cabin, with the layout being identical to the Creta. It’ll also be offered in a 6-seater layout with captain seats and a unique floor-mounted armrest in the second row. Since the Alcazar is quite an extension over the Creta, the rear passengers can expect plenty of legroom. Third row passengers will also get their own dedicated AC vents with speed controls. 

Hyundai’s yet to divulge details on the creature comforts, but it will likely be similar to the Creta. So it could feature a 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a panoramic sunroof, a 7-inch digital driver’s display, a Bose sound system, BlueLink connected car tech, and a powered driver’s seat. Hyundai will additionally offer premiums including a 360-degree parking camera with blind-spot monitoring like the Seltos and a larger digital instrument cluster.

A major difference between the Alcazar and Creta is that its petrol motor will be a more powerful 2.0-litre unit that makes 159PS of grunt and 191Nm of torque. It does, however, retain the 115PS 1.5-litre diesel engine from the Creta. Both engines will come with either a 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox. 

Expect the Hyundai Alcazar to go on sale here around early May. It’s likely to carry a premium of Rs 1 lakh over the Creta that retails from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 17.53 lakh (ex-showroom India). This is a pretty competitive price range in the seven-seater SUV segment against rivals such as the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV500, and the MG Hector Plus.