It is unlikely that it will reach our shores
Demand for sport utility vehicles (SUV) in India is booming and with that being the case, we are seeing a flurry of new models being launched in the country every year. A new contender is coming to town this month and it is Hyundai’s latest three-row SUV known as the Alcazar. It is now open for booking with a fee of 25,000 rupees (RM1,405).
Riding on a stretched version of the Creta platform, the Alcazar will be offered with two engine options. Both can be equipped with a six-speed manual or a torque converter six-speed automatic transmission.
- 2.0-litre MPi with 159 PS at 6,500 rpm and 191 Nm at 4,500 rpm
- 1.5-litre CRDi with 115 PS at 4,000 rpm and 250 Nm from 1,500 – 2,750 rpm
On the topic of electronics, the SUV gets three driving modes, namely Comfort, Eco and Sport, as well as an equal number of traction control modes: Snow, Sand and Mud.
Looking at the Hyundai India website, the Alcazar is all about the interior. Its generous wheelbase of 2,760 mm allows for a spacious cabin space and the fitment of three rows of seating. The six-seater version has a 2-2-2 seating configuration with captain seats in the second row. The seven-seater has a bench-type seating in the second row.
To further boost the comfort and convenience, Hyundai has also included front-row seatback tables with retractable cup and device holders, a front-row sliding sunvisor, sunshades on the rear windows as well as a smart panoramic sunroof with voice control.
The infotainment system, meanwhile, is made up of a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a similarly-sized central touchscreen and a Bose premium sound system with eight speakers. Other creature comforts include an automatic air purifier system, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, ambient lighting with 64 colours, and puddle lamps with Hyundai logo projection.
As to whether or not the Alcazar will make its way to Malaysia, we think the chances are very slim based on the current economic conditions. Plus, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) will not be rushing to bring the three-row SUV here as they already have the more capable Santa Fe in their ranks.
