Hyundai Alcazar vs Creta: What’s Different?

Hyundai has launched the Alcazar SUV in India from Rs 16.30 lakh. At a glance, you’d think it's just a glorified Creta since it is an extended version of the same but the Alcazar does get bits that give it its own identity. Let’s take a closer look: 

First on the list are the dimensions, with the difference between the Alcazar and Creta being glaringly obvious. The Alcazar is 4,500mm long (+200mm), 1,790mm wide, and 1,675mm tall (+40mm). Its wheelbase measures 2,760mm, 150mm more than its sibling. 

Up front, while the Creta gets a slatted grille, the Alcazar features chrome studs all over. The fog lamps in the Alcazar are LED units, instead of halogen, and the skid plates are also slightly different. 

Head over to the sides and there’s not much that differentiates the two SUVs, other than the extended rear overhang in the Alcazar to accommodate the third row. 

A closer look also reveals 18-inch alloy wheels in the Alcazar, compared to the 17-inch units in the Creta. 

At the rear, the Creta sports a more curvaceous design with a split-LED tail lamp setup. On the other hand, the Alcazar’s rear is more upright with a conventional set of wraparound LED tail lamps connected by a chrome strip. 

The two share an identical cabin layout up front but the Alcazar sports a black-brown colour scheme, instead of the dual-tone black-beige or all-black theme in the Creta.

It’s towards the rear that the real difference lies. While the Creta can accommodate five occupants, the Alcazar is available in both 6- and 7-seater layouts. The former has captain seats, while the latter gets bench seats for the middle row occupants.   

The Alcazar also adds in creature comforts, such as sunshades, headrest cushions, a wireless charger for the second row (limited to the 6-seater), third-row AC vents, and front-row seatback tables.

Common features in the two SUVs include a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, BlueLink connected car tech, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, ambient lighting, a voice-controlled panoramic sunroof, an 8-way powered driver’s seat, wireless charging as well as an electric parking brake with auto hold. 

 

The Alcazar also gets some additional bits, such as a larger 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, more colours in the ambient lighting, a 360-degree camera and blind spot monitoring that helps drivers change lanes safely by providing a live view of the blind spots on both sides.

 

Under the hood, the Alcazar retains the Creta’s 1.5-litre diesel engine delivering 115PS/250Nm, but gets the more powerful Tucson’s 2.0-litre petrol motor that makes 159PS/191Nm. In comparison, the Creta can be specced with either a 140PS 1.4-litre turbo-petrol, a 115PS 1.5-litre petrol, or a 1.5-litre diesel mill.

 

The Alcazar is limited to 6-speed manual and automatic transmission for both engines. The Creta, on the other hand, gets a 7-speed DCT exclusive to the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol, a 6-speed manual and CVT for the 1.5-litre petrol, and 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions for the 1.5-litre diesel.  

The Alcazar is priced from Rs 16.30 lakh to Rs 19.99 lakh while the Creta ranges from Rs 9.99 lakh to Rs 17.70 lakh (both ex-showroom).

The Creta takes on the likes of the Kia Seltos, Tata Harrier, as well as the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq. The Alcazar goes up against the  MG Hector Plus, Tata Safari, , and the upcoming Mahindra XUV700.