The morning sun cast long shadows across the Hyundai South Africa headquarters in Bedfordview as journalists gathered for the launch of the new Hyundai Alcazar. This seven-seater SUV, previously known as the Grand Creta in some markets, represents Hyundai’s renewed push into the family-oriented SUV segment in South Africa.
After a detailed technical briefing at the headquarters, we set off on a route that would take us from the urban run of Johannesburg to the historic mining town of Cullinan outside Pretoria – a journey designed to showcase the Alcazar’s versatility across varying road conditions.
Design evolution
The Alcazar makes a stronger visual statement than its Grand Creta predecessor. Our launch unit, finished in a striking matte black paint (available on the top-spec Elite diesel), drew appreciative glances throughout the drive. The redesigned front fascia features a more prominent grille with geometric patterns and sleeker LED headlights that give the vehicle a more upmarket appearance.\
The side profile reveals the Alcazar’s extended dimensions compared to the standard Creta, necessary to accommodate that third row of seats. This extension is handled fairly elegantly, though the proportions aren’t quite as cohesive as some dedicated three-row SUV designs. The rear gets connected LED taillights and a redesigned bumper that helps differentiate it from its smaller sibling.
Cabin comfort and practicality
Inside, the Alcazar shows significant improvements over the outgoing model. The dashboard layout is clean and modern, dominated by a large touchscreen infotainment system that integrates seamlessly with the new digital instrument cluster – a welcome upgrade that brings the Alcazar up to date with times.
Material quality is generally good, particularly in the top-spec Elite model we drove. Soft-touch materials feature prominently on frequently-touched surfaces, though some harder plastics remain in less visible areas – a reminder of the vehicle’s positioning in the market.
The second row offers decent space with good headroom and legroom. However, the third row reveals one of the Alcazar’s compromises. Despite Hyundai’s efforts, this space remains best suited for children or smaller adults on short journeys. Anyone approaching 1.7m tall will find headroom particularly restricted, while the knees-up seating position becomes uncomfortable after more than a brief stint. This limitation isn’t unique to the Alcazar, as most vehicles in this class struggle with third-row accommodations, but it’s worth noting for families who regularly need to transport seven adults.
On the road
Our test route with the top-spec 1.5 CRDI Elite diesel model revealed both strengths and limitations of the Alcazar’s driving dynamics. The diesel engine, while not particularly sporty, provides adequate torque for most driving situations. However, the vehicle’s weight becomes apparent on uphill sections, where progress sometimes feels, well, lagging, despite the diesel’s respectable torque figures.
The six-speed automatic transmission generally makes good decisions, though occasionally hunts for gears on steeper inclines. Once at cruising speed, the Alcazar settles into a comfortable rhythm, with road and wind noise well controlled for its class.
The suspension setup prioritizes comfort over sportiness, effectively absorbing road imperfections without feeling overly soft. This tuning makes perfect sense for a family-oriented vehicle and contributes to the Alcazar’s pleasant highway manners. Steering is light – great for city maneuvering but offering limited feedback on more engaging roads.
Acceleration from a standstill is surprisingly sprightly for a vehicle of this size, making urban driving and merging into traffic relatively stress-free.
Technology and features
The technology package in the Alcazar represents a significant step up, particularly in the Elite trim. The digital instrument cluster provides clear, customizable information, while the touchscreen infotainment system offers good responsiveness and modern connectivity options including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Elite model comes well-equipped with features like a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a reverse camera system, and a decent sound system.
Value proposition
With pricing ranging from R499,900 for the entry-level 2.0 MPI Executive AT to R669,900 for the range-topping 1.5 CRDI Elite AT we drove, the Alcazar positions itself in a highly competitive segment. The substantial R100,000 premium for the diesel over the equivalent petrol model reflects both the diesel engine’s higher production costs and its appeal in the our market, where diesel remains popular for larger vehicles.
The mid-range 1.5 CRDI Executive AT at R599,900 might represent the sweet spot in the range, offering the more desirable diesel powertrain while sacrificing some luxury features that aren’t essential to the Alcazar’s core mission as a family transporter.
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