2024 Hyundai Alcazar Facelift: Exterior
The facelifted Alcazar borrows design cues from its sibling, the Creta, particularly at the front. New H-shaped LED DRLs and a redesigned headlamp cluster give it a fresher look. The Alcazar now also comes equipped with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), with the radar neatly integrated into the revised bumper.
On the side, you’ll notice new 18-inch alloy wheels on higher trims, while lower variants retain the 17-inchers. The roof rails are now more prominent, though the rear quarter panel still bears a resemblance to the Kia Carens, hinting at shared family underpinnings.
The rear has seen a significant improvement, with a more pronounced bumper, silver skid plate, and a connected LED light bar linking the tail lamps in an H-pattern. “Alcazar” is boldly spelled out across the boot lid, adding to its premium feel. However, the extensive use of LED lighting might not appeal to everyone. Boot space remains practical, offering 180 litres with all seats in use, but folding the third row liberates 480 litres-enough for a weekend getaway.
In a surprising move, Hyundai has eliminated the panoramic sunroof and the spare wheel from the diesel variants. Instead, you get a puncture repair kit for the diesels, while petrol variants receive a 17-inch steel spare wheel. While the absence of the sunroof is understandable, doing away with the spare tyre is more contentious.
2024 Hyundai Alcazar Facelift: Interior
Hyundai’s reputation for excellent cabin design continues with the Alcazar. The new dual-tone brown and navy interior looks premium, though it’s mostly hard plastic. Soft-touch materials are limited to a small patch on the door trims.
The dashboard layout is clean, inspired by the Creta, with slim AC vents and a single housing for both the 10.25-inch touchscreen and the 10.25-inch driver display. The infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but wireless connectivity is still absent. There’s a piano-black finish around the climate control area, though the switch to touch-sensitive controls can be frustrating while driving. Storage options in the door pockets, glovebox, and armrest remain unchanged, but they’re adequate. Front seats are 8-way power-adjustable, and the 8-speaker Bose sound system is a notable plus.
The second row, particularly in the 6-seater configuration with captain’s chairs, is where the Alcazar shines. These seats offer ventilation, recline, fore and aft movement, foldable armrests, and winged headrests for added comfort, although they might feel a bit snug for larger passengers. For those under 5’10”, headroom and legroom are adequate. Hyundai also provides a useful feature: a button that allows the front passenger seat to be pushed forward to create extra legroom. Rear-seat passengers also get a wireless charger, two type-C USB ports, and rear AC vents.
Access to the third row is a bit tricky and requires some awkward manoeuvring. Once inside, it’s manageable for short city drives, but for longer trips, it’s best left to children or teens. However, the third row does come with cup holders, type-C chargers, and a generously sized quarter window to prevent the feeling of being cramped.
2024 Hyundai Alcazar Facelift: Safety Features
Hyundai has equipped the Alcazar with a solid array of safety features. Six airbags, ESC (Electronic Stability Control), hill-start assist, a rear parking camera, sensors, TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System), and rear disc brakes are standard across the range. The facelift also brings level-2 ADAS, an electrochromic IRVM, and hill-descent control. While the Alcazar hasn’t undergone crash testing yet, it’s well-prepared with its safety technology.
The decision to remove the sunroof, spare wheel, and LED reading lamps from the diesel variants might disappoint some buyers. Additionally, the entry-level automatic variant starts at a hefty ₹ 21 lakh, and the 6-seater captain’s chairs configuration is not available with a manual transmission, which could deter chauffeur-driven buyers.
That said, the 2024 Alcazar facelift remains a compelling option for urban families. If you occasionally need a third row, desire a feel-good factor, and want a feature-rich experience, the Alcazar is worth a test drive.
