This review follows the structure and guidelines of a typical Team-BHP ownership review, based on my experience with the car over the first 1,500 km
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Introduction:
I have been driving cars and riding bikes since 1979 and would have clocked over a million kilometres and more combined all put together. My two wheelers were: the first was RX-100 Yamaha, which clocked 1.54lac kms and had travelled to many destinations across the country. Later, I have owned Hero Honda CBZ, Activa. My first car was Hyundai Santro Xing XG and later owned a Toyota Innova, Toyota Corolla ~ the first automatic and then finally Chevrolet Cruze LTZ AT.
The Cruze was sold in 2017 and had promised myself that I would never spend on a car, making the best use of public transport and Uber. It worked very well in Mumbai. However, once we settled in Bangalore, we thought of buying a car and continuing our travel to exotic destinations, the hills, etc. I have never spent as much time and effort finalising on the car, would have possibly looked at 8-10 cars before settling on a Hyundai Alcazar DCT Petrol, 7 seater, Robust Emerald Matte color.
Over the past year, I explored a wide range of vehicles—from sedans to SUVs and compact SUVs. I even went as far as booking the Skoda Kodiaq Signature AT, waiting until the first week of April before deciding to cancel the reservation. During this period, I seriously considered several models, including the Honda Elevate, Kia Carens, Volkswagen Virtus 1.5 AT, Skoda Slavia, MG Astor CVT, and the Mahindra XUV700.
Rather than focusing on the shortcomings of each option, I ultimately chose the Hyundai Alcazar DCT Petrol for its well-rounded package and how well it aligned with our specific needs. One of the key factors in opting for a 7-seater was not just passenger capacity but the flexibility it offers for long road trips—especially when it comes to luggage space. In our case, the third row will primarily be used for accommodating additional luggage rather than people. Based on our anticipated usage, around 70% of our drives will be with just 2–3 occupants, 25% with 4–6 passengers, and only about 5% with a full house of 7. We took the delivery and we went full capacity for a short run back home!
This review follows the structure and guidelines of a typical Team-BHP ownership review, based on my experience with the car over the first 1,500 km.
Car Details:
Variant: Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 Turbo GDi Petrol | 7-Speed DCT
Purchased on: April 19, 2025
Current Odometer Reading: 1,500 km
Usage: Daily drives + highway testing route (Bangalore → Belgaum → Goa → return) (and I already put it through a solid test run!)
First Service Done At: 1,261 km (Oil + Filter changed at owner’s request)
and it’s great that I have already put it through a solid test run!
Likes
- Smooth and refined 1.5L turbo petrol engine
- Lightning-fast DCT gearbox with barely any lag
- Loaded with features: 360° camera, ventilated seats (front), dual-zone climate, panoramic sunroof, ADAS ~II
- Okay space in 2nd row (opted for 7-seater layout
- Excellent highway stability and confident road manners (max 115 kms/ hr )
- Very well-tuned suspension – absorbs most bumps with ease
- Premium cabin quality – fit and finish top-notch
- Smart-looking exterior design with an okay kind of road presence
- Quiet cabin and amazingly low NVH levels
- For Hyundai’s robust after-sales network (will need this during long trips)
Dislikes
- Very slight turbo lag in crawling traffic (until turbo spools around 1,200 rpm)
- Fuel efficiency is on the lower side in city 6-8 & Highway 16.8- 17.8
- The 3rd row is best suited for kids or distances of 400-500 kms max
Note: Did not find any issue with the headlights, a regular grouse on the internet.
Booking & Delivery Experience
- Booked from Trident Hyundai, Bangalore
- Booking process was seamless; the was knowledgeable and proactive
- Delivery took 10 days; car was delivered on time with a thorough PDI, self as well as through Zekardo. Happy with their services, got a few niggles resolved which came up in their inspection
- Received the standard accessories, mud flaps, mats, and basic kit at no added cost
- We finalised on a mfr Nov 2024 make and got a good discount
On-Road Price & Extras:
- On-road price in Bangalore: ₹25.8 lakhs approx
- Opted for 5-year extended warranty SOT and will take a 3-year service package
- Insurance taken outside for better value (~₹41k)
First Service Experience;
First free service completed at 1,261 km
- Although Hyundai doesn’t mandate it, engine oil + filter were changed on my request
- Service center (Trident) was responsive and cooperative
- No issues reported; oil change was done on some oil experts that I follow on YouTube
Design, Quality & Comfort:
Exterior:
- Sleek LED headlamps, bold grille and chrome details elevate road presence
- Paint quality is top-notch; minimal panel gaps
- 18” alloys look classy and complement the SUV’s stance
- Tyres Apollo, spare tyre is of JK
Interior:
- Dashboard layout is modern and well-appointed
- Upholstery quality is premium; soft-touch materials used liberally
- Ventilated seats are ok ok, could have been more effective
- 2nd-row bench seats are comfortable
- Boot space is usable with 3rd row un-folded, i think 180 litres
- Excellent sound insulation & NVH level is just amazing
The Driving Experience:
City:
- DCT is smooth and convenient in stop-go traffic
- Light steering, medium turning radius – makes it city-friendly
- Mild turbo lag noticeable below 1,600 rpm
Highway:
- Engine is great on open roads – strong mid-range
- DCT is lightning-quick in gear changes
- Overtaking is effortless, tried with 6-7 pax too
- Very stable at speed, but not exceeded 115 kms/hr yet
- Adaptive cruise control, didn’t use much
NVH:
- Cabin is very silent; engine barely audible under normal load
- Wind noise could hear at 115 km/h but not disturbing
- Tyre and road noise seems well-contained
Fuel Efficiency:
~City: 6.5 – 9.0 km/l (Bangalore traffic)
~Highway: 16.8 – 17.8 km/l (with cruise control at 90–100 km/h)
(will judge once I do 6-8k kms !)
Mechanical & Ride:
- Suspension setup is well-balanced – soft enough for bumps, firm enough for high-speed stability in most cases
- Brakes offer a strong bite and feedback unlike what I had heard
- Steering is light at low speeds and weighs up pretty well
- Ground clearance seems adequate at 200mm
- Turning radius makes U-turns reasonably easy despite size
Features & Tech:
- 360° camera is very useful – never had before in the past!
- Bose sound system is punchy and immersive
- Dual-zone climate control works great
- Infotainment is butter smooth; connected car features are impressive
Note~No wireless Android Auto for DCT variant – a letdown but Hyundai is brining out an adapter as per a post in TeamBHP (no info with the Hyundai dealer though!)
After-sales & Maintenance:
- Service experience at Trident was positive
- Oil + filter change billed at ₹2,200 seemed reasonable
- Hyundai’s service reach and reliability is a big advantage & a major point to consider while purchasing a car
- Parts availability and network strength reassures long-term ownership confidence
Final Verdict:
The Alcazar DCT Petrol is a stylish and well-equipped SUV that’s smooth, comfortable, and spacious. It’s not the most powerful in its class, but if you’re looking for a smart, easy-to-drive 3-row SUV for city use, it’s a great choice. Would I buy it again? Yes, absolutely – the Alcazar fits our needs perfectly as a comfortable family tourer with a touch of premium.
Any questions, would be happy to answer!
Best,
Narayan
Travelog
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