1 year of my experience with a Hyundai Alcazar

It has been an exciting journey filled with adventures, road trips, and countless memories.

BHPian sauravkumar recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since I first got behind the wheel of the Hyundai Alcazar 2.0 Petrol Automatic Dual Tone. It was July 28, 2022, when I received the keys to this remarkable vehicle from Advaith Hyundai ORR, BLR. What followed has been an exciting journey filled with adventures, road trips, and countless memories.

In this blog post, I’ll take you through my experiences with the Hyundai Alcazar over the past year. From the moment I drove it off the dealership lot to my most recent road trip, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know this car inside and out. Buckle up, because we’re about to dive deep into the performance, design, features, and more that make the Alcazar a standout in the crowded SUV market.

Up to this point, my car has traveled a distance of 17,520 kilometers throughout the South Indian States, and it has undergone two scheduled services. It’s worth noting that, apart from adding new accessories and chrome, there haven’t been any unscheduled visits to the dealership or service centers.

Let’s delve into the essential criteria of my review –
Performance – Equipped with the 2.0 Petrol engine, power is plentiful, and the absence of forced induction means there’s no such thing as turbo lag. The engine’s power delivery is consistently smooth, ensuring a comfortable ride. I recently embarked on an uninterrupted journey from BLR to Munnar, with only brief stops, and I can attest that I arrived at my destination feeling refreshed, without any signs of fatigue.
While on the highway, overtaking other vehicles is effortless. If there’s a sudden need for an extra burst of power, engaging the sports mode transforms the car’s dynamics, providing a more precise driving experience, and the gears hold at higher revs for longer. This alteration in performance is also reflected in the noticeable change in steering feedback.
Even in hilly terrain, the Alcazar proves its worth, effortlessly handling sharp turns, even when fully loaded up to the third row. There hasn’t been a single instance where this car seemed to struggle or run out of breath.

Design & Comfort – The Alcazar’s size is well-suited to handle the diverse range of conditions you encounter on Indian roads. This is especially crucial given that many roads lack standard width and proper lane markings. During my recent journeys to Ooty and Munnar, there were numerous occasions where even a few millimeters of extra width would have potentially resulted in dents or, in some cases, deep scratches on the car.
The suspension is finely calibrated to suit the demands of Indian road conditions, effectively absorbing road imperfections and potholes. Additionally, its generous ground clearance of 200 mm is more than sufficient to handle minor off-road challenges encountered during road trips. What’s truly impressive is that, despite its elevated ground clearance, the Alcazar maintains stability and handles high-speed bends on expressways without any noticeable slowdown.
The ventilated seats offer excellent cushioning for extended road trips, ensuring that you won’t experience any discomfort or the urge to stop and stretch.
The air conditioning system ranks among the best, efficiently cooling the cabin within minutes even when parked under the sun. Moreover, it intelligently adjusts the cooling as the car slows down to avoid unnecessary revving.

Features that help a lot –

1. Auto Hold – This feature proves invaluable in stop-and-go traffic conditions, a common occurrence in cities like BLR due to suboptimal traffic management and a lack of awareness regarding maintaining safe following distances. It should be a standard feature in all automatic cars.

2. 360° View Camera with Sensors – This is perhaps one of the most underrated features, yet it serves as a guardian against scratches when navigating amidst less experienced drivers or in cities where lane discipline is a rarity. The display quality is truly remarkable, surpassing not only other vehicles in its segment but also those in higher segments.

3. Dual-Row Wireless Chargers – Personally, I prefer a clutter-free console area, and the presence of wires can be quite bothersome. Having wireless chargers in both the front and second rows helps maintain a tidier cabin.

4. Traction Modes – The default Apollo tires, while suitable for city driving, may not perform optimally on muddy, steep terrain. This is where the traction modes come into play. I’m planning to upgrade to Bridgestone tires, but the Mud/Snow/Sand modes have proven their worth already. I had to put them to the test on a muddy off-road ascent, and they delivered on their promises.

5. Blind Spot View – In cities with erratic driving conditions, this feature can be a lifesaver. It’s all too common to encounter vehicles changing lanes without signaling or checking for merging traffic. I’ve grown so accustomed to this feature that I find myself wishing my other vehicles had it as well.

Fuel consumption –
This is a metric that I’m frequently inquired about, so here are my findings:
Idle or standstill: Approximately 8 kilometers per liter (KMPL)
Stop-and-go city traffic: Ranging from 8 to 10 KMPL
Highways (using a blend of comfort and sports mode): Achieving between 14 to 17 KMPL

What could be improved?
Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are wired connections. Consequently, I opted for Carlinkit to enable wireless connectivity. It effortlessly and promptly pairs with my devices. Ideally, wireless functionality should have been a standard feature from the outset.

The original tires that come with the vehicle are not particularly suitable, especially in muddy conditions. Given my positive experience with Bridgestone tires on my other vehicles, I plan to upgrade the Alcazar’s tires to Bridgestone as well.

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