Hyundai Alcazar gets a new affordable variant

After witnessing stiffer competition from newer rivals, Hyundai has expanded the lineup of Alcazar three-row SUV by introducing a new base variant. Named Prestige Executive, this new variant will be positioned below the Prestige variant, which makes the former the new most affordable and entry-level variant of the Hyundai Alcazar. It sits below Prestige, Prestige (O), Platinum, Platinum (O), Signature and Signature (O) in Alcazar’s lineup.

The new Hyundai Alcazar Prestige Executive will be offered in four different configurations – 6-seater diesel-manual, 7-seater diesel-manual, 7-seater diesel-automatic and 7-seater petrol-manual. The prices for the new Hyundai Alcazar Prestige Executive are Rs 15,89,400 for the petrol-manual, Rs 16,30,300 for the diesel-manual and Rs 17,77,300 for the diesel-automatic. The new starting price of Rs 15,89,400 brings the entry-level pricing of the Alcazar almost by Rs 55,000.

Missing features

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As expected, the new Hyundai Alcazar Prestige Executive will miss out on some premium features to bring the entry pricing barrier lower and combat the ongoing challenge of shortage of semiconductor chips. The most noteworthy change in the Hyundai Alcazar Prestige Executive is the omission of the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which has been replaced by a smaller but well-equipped 8-inch unit. This particular unit is shared with the mid-spec variants of the Creta and is equipped with voice commands and wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. It also comes with only one mic setup, instead of two in other variants, and is assisted with four speakers and two tweeters.

This new variant also misses out on a telematics system with connected car features, auto-dimming inside rear view mirror with SOS button, burglar alarm and chrome-finished outside door handles. Instead, it gets manual day-night inside rear view mirror and body-coloured outside door handles. Thankfully, this new variant retains other premium features of the Prestige variant, including a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights and tail lamps, reverse camera and cruise control.

No changes in the powertrain

The petrol-manual version of the Hyundai Alcazar Prestige Executive will be available with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox. This engine claims a maximum power output of 159 PS and a peak torque output of 191 Nm. On the other hand, the diesel engine on duty here is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder oil burner, which makes 115 PS of maximum power and 250 Nm of maximum torque. In the Hyundai Alcazar Prestige Executive, this engine is offered with both 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic gearbox choices.

Off late, the Hyundai Alcazar is facing stiffer competition from new three-row SUVs like Mahindra XUV700, Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus. The new entry-level pricing now makes the Hyundai Alcazar more affordable, with it now able to eye even the prospective buyers of range-topping variants of five-seater midsize SUVs.

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