Hyundai Alcazar (2025) First Drive Review - New Name, Better Value
Growing families require cars that grow with them. The new Hyundai Alcazar takes the 7-seater recipe and invigorates it with even more value than before. With a choice of fuel-efficient engines and all-inclusive trims, the new Alcazar is a practical solution for the larger family.
New model names seem to be popping up every other week. It makes it tough to keep track of what belongs where and who is doing what. The Alcazar name is new to South Africa, but the model itself isn't. Hyundai is simply altering the name of the existing Grand Creta to help differentiate it from the rest of the range, stating that many consumers struggle to perceive the difference between the Creta and Grand Creta, the 7-seater alternative.
Related: Hyundai Grand Creta 1.5D Elite (2022) Roadtrip Review: Trans-Karoo Trooper
It's best to think of the Alcazar as the new, updated Grand Creta. In its country of manufacture, India, the Alcazar has been in production since 2021, offering a 7-seat alternative to the compact crossover Creta. With the local appetite for SUVS and crossovers growing by more than 35% over last year, and the segment occupying a 45.5% share of the local vehicle sales, Hyundai hopes to capitalise on this by offering motorists the vehicles they want, at prices that are more palatable than ever.
Big Car Look, Small Car Convenience
Appearances are important to consumers, and we've seen the shift from traditional nameplates to relatively untested newcomers purely based on aesthetic appeal. The Alcazar looks unlike any Hyundai you've seen before with high-set LED daytime running lights that form a distinctive H-pattern in the upper corner of the nose of the Alcazar. They're connected by a full-length light bar for a fresh, modern look, making the Alcazar look larger than it actually is. The wide front grille that is bookmarked by the LED headlights further accentuates the bold, sturdy design.
The flanks share a similar design language with defined swage lines and muscular wheel arch detailing. Resting below these arches are sizeable 18-inch alloy wheels (on the Elite trim), dipped in gloss black with a diamond-cut face finish. Bright silver lower trims suggest off-road capability and contrast against the body colour for improved curb appeal. Continue around back, and a similar theme is executed at the rear, with H-pattern LED taillights and brightwork to span the width.
The Alcazar is initially polarising, but spend some time inspecting it and one soon appreciates the approach to design; a seemingly large SUV-look that wouldn't look out of place in a large American town, but with dimensions that are anything but intimidating or difficult to live with. The Alcazar measures in at 4,560 mm long with a 2,760 mm wheelbase, making it compact enough to park and position with ease.
Comfort and Convenience
The Alcazar manages to blend function and form in a welcoming package, most evident in the interior. In a move that is counter to modern trends, Hyundai is determined to retain physical button in the interior, understanding that a set location for certain controls and functions is important to many consumers. We are inclined to agree with them, and the interior of the Alcazar executes this well, with the interior not feeling too cluttered or overly simplified. A quick scan of the fascia and centre console gives you a clear indication of what functions can be found where, and how to locate them when you're on the move.
You get three rows in the Alcazar, catering for seven people (including the driver) with access to the third row via the collapsible second row. Both second- and third-row passengers get USB charging points and air vents, and airflow controls are provided for the third row as well. A handy addition, especially for those longer journeys. The Elite trim sees seatback tables made available for second row passengers, allowing them to prop up their devices or snack while on the go. This trim also gets a panoramic sunroof, making the cabin bright and airy, countering any concerns around claustrophobic conditions.
Simplified Range and Engine Options
Hyundai has thinned out the range (based on Grand Creta offerings) with only the three most popular derivatives remaining. This makes deciding on which Alcazar is best for you far easier. Two engines are also on offer, with a 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 1.5-litre turbodiesel serving duty, both mated to a 6-speed torque-converter automatic. This sees the 2.0-litre manual option and the 2.0 automatic in Elite trim dropped from the lineup.
The 2.0-litre Smartstream petrol engine produces 117 kW and 191 Nm torque, with a claimed combined cycle fuel consumption of 7.5 l/100km. The slightly smaller 1.5-litre CRDI Smartstream turbodiesel engine is the preferred power unit, producing 84.6 kW and 250 Nm torque. For this one you can expect a claimed fuel consumption of 5.9 l/100km and on our test route this was easily achieved, with highway use seeing it drop below the claims.
Alcazar Trims, Safety, and Pricing
Two trims are available with the Elite trim benefiting from the addition of 18-inch alloy wheels, the panoramic sunroof, electric driver's seat, front seat ventilation, seatback tables, push button start, and automatic climate control. It also receives a comprehensive driver assistance system that includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, lane keep assist, forward collision avoidance, lane following assist, and driver attention warning. All models get the usual array of ABS with EBD, ESC, automatic headlights, and a complement of 6 airbags.
The kicker in the revised lineup is the reduction in price of the entry-level model, despite the improved standard equipment. With the manual option discontinued, the Alcazar 2.0 Executive AT is the new entry model, comparable to the Grand Creta 2.0 Executive AT. The Grand Creta retailed for R566 500 and the Alcazar 2.0 Executive AT comes in at R499 900 - astounding value for money.
| Model | Price (incl. VAT) |
| Hyundai Alcazar 2.0 MPI Executive AT | R499 900 |
| Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 CRDI Executive AT | R599 900 |
| Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 CRDI Elite AT | R669 900 |
Verdict
The new Hyundai Alcazar is not only a good-looking machine, but a great drive too. The power delivery from the 1.5 CRDI engine in the Elite trim that we sampled proved to be more than adequate, and the gearbox is programmed to perfection. Throttle calibration (a known Achilles heel in this segment) is spot-on, with an initial take that makes traffic and congestion far more palatable. The low fuel consumption will prove to be a boon for those in the market - after all, you probably have several hungry mouths to feed as well.
The ride is compliant with only the faintest hint of cabin intrusion on the secondary ride, easily attributed to the larger 18-inch alloy wheels that the Elite trim is shod with. While we did find the driver assistance systems to be a little more intrusive than we would have liked, switching them off (once the correct menu is located) quickly solved that, allowing us to continue in a manner that we preferred. Interior space is generous, and with the third row folded flat, cargo space is impressive too, with a nearly flat floor offered for luggage and other items.
The Hyundai Alcazar takes the already impressive Grand Creta recipe and refines it, adding features that you actually want and use, and offering the cost savings of not including those functions and features that you don't use. The affordable entry model will undoubtedly be a hit amongst the budget-conscious buyer and those looking for long-term savings will gravitate towards the robust and impressive diesel alternative.
