WHAT IS IT?
It can’t be easy to come up with new car names all the time, and sometimes I wonder what the process looks like – how many people sit around a boardroom in the marketing department throwing mud at a wall until something sticks? Alcazar – it’s a Spanish-Arabic word meaning fortress, and it makes sense for a vehicle built to carry and shield its occupants.
But I haven’t told you what it is. It’s the replacement for the Grand Creta, slotting in between the Creta and Tucson in the Hyundai SUV line-up.
WHY THIS?
There comes a point when your car stops being about you. It becomes about lift clubs, sports days, and December holidays with more luggage than passengers. You could opt for something bigger and more powerful, but that would mean a bigger budget.
OUTSIDE
Hyundai’s current design language is confident without being theatrical. The grille is broad, the lighting modern and the proportions surprisingly tidy for a vehicle that’s been lengthened to accommodate two extra seats. Importantly, it doesn’t look like a people carrier trying to disguise itself.
It has enough ground clearance for gravel parking at sports fields and enough presence to avoid looking apologetic in the office car park. It’s contemporary, but not shouty.
INSIDE
The cabin is classic Hyundai: logical, well assembled, and easy to operate. A dual-screen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, and the ergonomics are intuitive. You won’t need to schedule a training session to adjust the air conditioning. It’s also got features like wireless charging and, brilliantly, physical buttons for things like the audio system.
The second row is properly adult-friendly, but the third row is best for children or shorter journeys, which is true of almost everything in this segment. With all seven seats up, boot space is limited. Fold the third row flat and it becomes a genuinely practical five-seater. Materials are durable rather than indulgent, which suits a family SUV.
THE DRIVE
You can choose between a two-litre petrol engine (117kW/191Nm/7.5L/100km) and a 1.5-litre turbodiesel (85kW/250Nm/5.9L/100km), both with six-speed auto gearboxes. The diesel’s torque and superior fuel economy make it the better choice. The Alcazar is a competent, comfortable car to drive and behaves exactly as it should: calmly and predictably. It’s also refreshing to drive a seven-seater that actually fits into the school parking bays and still lets you open the doors to actually get out. It’s a sad fact that parking bays haven’t grown over the years in proportion to the cars they’re meant to accommodate…
FINAL WORD
The Alcazar diesel sits in a popular sweet spot: SUV stance, seven seats and fuel economy that doesn’t punish you every time you head into town or out of it. If you go through a car-spec list, you’ll see little diesels are becoming fewer, which is a pity as they still outcompete little petrol turbos and even many hybrids in terms of real-world economy. The Alcazar is something of a unicorn then, and it’s good-looking to boot.
GO GET IT
The Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 CRDi is priced from R499 900 in South Africa, although the two diesel models go for R599 900 and R669 900. It comes standard with a seven-year/200 000km warranty and a three-year/45 000km service plan. Visit www.hyundai.co.za for more information.
Gallery
