Why I bought a Hyundai Alcazar MT: Pros, Cons & first drive impressions

We upgraded from a 2019 Maruti Ertiga, rejecting cars like the Thar, Safari, Scorpio and XUV700 along the way.

BHPian dew recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello Everyone,

I got my Alcazar Prestige MT Phantom Black last Friday. We upgraded from our 2019 Ertiga VXI Blue MT Petrol.

Why we selected the Hyundai Alcazar:

Pros

• Great value for money
• Loaded with features when compared to other similarly priced cars
• Good Resale value
• Good and cheap after-sales service
• 160 HP
• Looks: Mini Palisade from the front, Endeavor from the rear
• Usable boot even after all seats are up
• 50:50 split seats
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Beautiful alloy wheels (17")
• Nice cognac brown interiors
• 200MM GC
• Auto Dimming IRVM
• Blue Link and Start/Stop with Key
• Rear Tray
• 3rd Row AC vents
• Ambient Lighting

Cons

• No AWD Option
• Low Fuel Efficiency
• A bit smaller compared to other cars we considered
• Small Tyres (Even Brezza gets 215, Should have been 235 at least)

And one more:

"Bro, Congrats you bought a Creta?...Its not Creta, It's Alcazar. Means fortress in Spanish "

Other cars we consider and why we rejected them:

Tata Safari XT Plus Petrol MT

Pros

• Beautiful inside out
• Roomy
• Big wheels (235)
• Panoramic Sunroof

Cons

• Diesel only (10-year ban in NCR)
• Lacks some features (small screen, low res camera)
• Front Wheel Drive only
• Fabric Upholstery
• A bit pricey
• Tata resale value

New Mahindra Scorpio Z8 MT Petrol/ Z4 MT Petrol

Pros

• Big
• 200 HP

Cons

• Buggy and nearly impossible online booking process
• Unbelievable booking numbers mean very long waiting periods.
• No 50-50 Split Seats
• No Alloys even in the Z8
• Small sunroof compared to other similarly priced cars (Z8)/ No sunroof (Z4)
• Unusable Boot space when all seats are up
• No 4WD in Petrol

Mahindra XUV 700 AX5 MT Petrol

Pros

• Big car for less money
• Nice Interiors
• Panoramic Sunroof

Cons

• Long waiting periods
• Not a fan of the front design

Mahindra Thar Top End MT Petrol Hardtop

Pros

• 4 Huge Wheels (245)
• 4x4
• Road presence

Cons

• Family didn't like it
• We are upgrading from Ertiga and space has become the most important thing for us in a car

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Pros

• AWD
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Decent Interiors
• Decent Mileage

Cons

• Same Ertiga engine in the mild hybrid version, Want something new for a change
• 360 looks cheap
• Looks Small in person
• 5 Seater

Accessories we bought along with the car:

1. 3D Mats
2. Side Step (Hasn't arrived yet, Dealer said will install it later)
3. Seat Covers (The same colour as stock seats, We opted for this as Prestige - comes with fabric seats)
4. Rear sill guard
5. Mud Flaps
6. 3d boot Mat

I have driven for around 50 odd km so far and my initial driving impressions are:

1. Seat is much higher compared to Ertiga (Or at least it feels like that)
2. Gearing is very tall, I shift less frequently than Ertiga.
3. Brakes are sudden compared to Ertiga, Maybe because they are new, It took me a little getting used to.
4. We were a little concerned about the Black interiors coming from a beige Ertiga however the Sunroof lets in lots of light and it feels roomy
5. 3rd row is not as spacious as Ertiga however the view from the third row is great and you don't feel claustrophobic
6. Tumble seats are very useful
7. Horn sounds better

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.