The Hyundai Alcazar is a newcomer to the South African new car market. It was introduced here earlier this year. We got a hold of the turbodiesel version to bring you a driving review.
Hyundai seems to have mastered the SA new-car market. The brand continues to grow despite strong challenges to it position from Chinese automakers. Part of the Korean firm’s success is its current portfolio. The company offers many SUVs, which is what the market favours right now. The list of models on offer includes: the Exter, Venue, Creta, Kona, Tucson, Sante Fe and Palisade. Pick a price point and there is likely an option for you. The most recent addition is the Alcazar, which is a new nameplate to SA. This model slots in between the Creta and Tucson in terms of size.
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New Look Outside…
Fans of Hyundai and/or keen observers of the SA market may have noticed that we didn’t mentioned the Grand Creta earlier. That is because the Alcazar is, in essence, a vastly revised Grand Creta. The newcomer rides on the similar platform and shares most of its body work with the now defunct Grand Creta. However, there have been notable changes, particularly to the appearance. The Alcazar has undergone the surgeon’s knife and features a more familiar Hyundai face. Among the changes is the adoption of slim headlamps, with the brand’s signature ‘H’ motif, as seen on the Satan Fe hybrid. Low-slung driving laps and a large, darkened central intake are other revision up from.
The Alcazar remains pretty unchanged in profile although Hyundai has fitted new alloys to spruce up the view. Lower-spec versions, as per our test unit ride on 17-inch. The rear end has also undergone a complete stylistic change. This includes a new rear bumper as well as more upright taillamps and a body-wide red strip linking the two clusters.
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…And Inside
The Alcazar has a completely refreshed facia when compared to the Creta. Designers have adopte a more horizontal theme, which creates a sense of more openness. The flat facia includes a digital instrument cluster that is linked to the infotainment screen with a single panel that connects the two. The infotainment offers all the connectivity that we’ve become accustomed to in new cars. Thankfully Hyundai continues offer physical controls for the HVAC system.
There feels like space aplenty in the cabin, which has an airy feel. There is seating for seven, which makes the Alcazar an interesting alternative to the likes of a Toyota Fortuner or even more expensive Mercedes-Benz GLB, provided you have that many people to frequently move around. One odd omission is the lack of a covering for the boot area. We feel that, in safety conscious SA, a boot cover is must to be able to keep items safe from prying eyes and sticky fingers. We took to ‘hiding’ things in the footwell of the third pair of seats.
Just Two Engines
Hyundai SA offers the Alcazar in just three flavours. Buyers can choose between two engines. The petrol option is a 2,0-litre naturally aspirated unit with 117 kW/191 N.m on offer. Our test unit featured the slightly smaller turbodiesel option. This oil-burner is rated to produce 85 kW and a healthy 250 N.m of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is the only option on offer.
This engine, with additional torque, is the preferred option for a car that can carry up to seven. While it may not have loads of power, the low-down slug of oomph means that you can trundle along at low-ish engine speeds. As a result the Alcazar nearly matched Hyundai’s claim of 5,9 L/100 km for the 600-odd km of our review period. That is a pretty handy figure in times when fuel-consumption is rated a one of the main criteria people look at before buying a new car.
On the Road
The Hyundai Alcazar rides well for a car that is aimed at family use. It is softly sprung and has no real allusions of being sporty. There is body lean if you corner to quickly along with some tyre squeal to let you know you’re pushing too hard. These are very good things are this car isn’t designed to, and shouldn’t, be driven like a low-slung hatchback. Treated like a family car the Alcazar behaves admirably. It has well resolved ride on the open road with comfy seats and an effective HVAC system. On occasion we reached for non-existent gear-shift paddles on the steering wheel, then had to remind ourselves: not a hot hatch. Typical owners are unlikely to make the same mistake we did.
Summary
SA car buyers are spoiled for choice if they are shopping for an SUV in the five- to seven-hundred thousand rand bracket. The Hyundai Alcazar is a pretty interesting prospect as it offers a good level of standard specification along with a frugal engine and well resolved ride quality. It also offers the convenience of two additional chairs over most rivals. The cabin may not have all shiny toys as some of the Chinese newcomers. However, Hyundai is a known quantity with a well established dealer network and an excellent reliability record.
Model: Hyundai Alcazar
Price: R669 900
Engine: 1,5-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: six-speed automatic, FWD
Max power: 85 kW
Max torque: 250 N.m
0-100 km/h: 12,9 sec
Top speed: 171 km/h
Fuel consumption: 5,9 L/100 km (6,0 during review period)
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