Hyundai Alcazar launched in India, introductory prices for three-row SUV range start at Rs 16.30 lakh

The Hyundai Alcazar SUV has finally been launched in India, with introductory prices starting at Rs 16.30 lakh. The Alcazar – which is a three-row derivative of the Hyundai Creta – will be available in six- and seven-seat variants, with a total of three main trim levels to choose from – Prestige, Platinum and Signature. The Hyundai Alcazar diesel range starts at Rs 16.53 lakh, which is a premium of a mere Rs 23,000 over the equivalent petrol version of the SUV. Here’s a quick look at its variant-wise prices (introductory, ex-showroom, India). [caption id=“attachment_9729861” align=“alignnone” width=“1031”]  Hyundai Alcazar prices at launch (introductory, ex-showroom, India). Image: Hyundai[/caption] Manual and automatic transmission options will be offered with all trims, but seven-seat layouts will only be available with the Prestige and Platinum trims; the top-spec Signature variant can only be had a six-seater. On the whole, the Alcazar is longer than the Creta it’s based on, and has a 150 mm longer wheelbase. Helping distinguish it further are a new chrome-studded grille, different alloy wheels and a completely new tail section. Hyundai is offering it with six single-tone exterior colour options and two dual-tone colour options. [caption id=“attachment_9729841” align=“alignnone” width=“1512”]  The Hyundai Alcazar’s wheelbase is 150 mm longer than that of the Hyundai Creta. Image: Hyundai[/caption] While the design and layout of the Hyundai Alcazar’s dashboard is quite similar to that of the Creta, it has a cognac brown-and-black colour scheme, and also gets more features. Key features part of its equipment list are two segment-firsts – a 10.25-inch full-digital instruments display and a blind spot monitor. Also part of the package are a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, connected car tech, a 360-degree camera, a voice-operated panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging for first and second row passengers and automatic climate control, among others. [caption id=“attachment_9699761” align=“alignnone” width=“1067”]  Six-seat version of the Hyundai Alcazar gets captain seats for second row passengers. Image: Hyundai[/caption] The Hyundai Alcazar is based on the second-generation Hyundai Creta, but while it borrows its 1.5-litre diesel engine as is, the three-row SUV ditches the Creta’s petrol options for a larger, 2.0-litre petrol. The four-cylinder petrol (the same unit that powers the Elantra sedan but with a little more power) makes 159hp and 192 Nm, while the 1.5-litre diesel borrowed from the Creta makes 115hp and 250Nm. That said, Hyundai has tweaked the diesel to suit the heavier Alcazar better. In terms of transmission options, both petrol and diesel versions of the Alcazar can be had with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. In its petrol-manual avatar, the Alcazar will do the 0-100kph run in a claimed 9.5 seconds. Also offered on the Alcazar are three drive modes – Comfort, Eco and Sport; these are in addition to three traction control modes: Sand, Snow and Mud. [caption id=“attachment_9699751” align=“alignnone” width=“1067”]  Brown-and-grey colour scheme helps distinguish the Hyundai Alcazar’s interior from the Creta’s. Image: Hyundai[/caption] The Hyundai Alcazar petrol’s ARAI-certified fuel economy figure is 14.5 kpl for the manual gearbox version, and a marginally lower 14.2 kpl for the automatic gearbox version. The Hyundai Alcazar diesel’s ARAI-certified fuel economy figure is 20.4 kpl for the manual version and 18.1 kpl for the automatic gearbox version. Do remember that the Hyundai Alcazar diesel is significantly less powerful than its rivals – its 1.5-litre diesel only puts out 115 hp and 250 Nm of torque, while the XUV500’s 2.2-litre unit makes 155 hp and 360 Nm, and the Safari and Hector’s 2.0-litre, Fiat-sourced diesel engines produce an identical 170 hp and 350 Nm. In terms of rivals, the Hyundai Alcazar will battle the Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus and the Mahindra XUV500. It will face stiff competition from the Mahindra XUV700, which is set to be launched in the coming months.