BHPian LeeChristmas95 recently shared this with other enthusiasts: Hello TBHP Family! It’s been 5 months since I purchased my 2024 Facelift Hyundai Alcazar Prestige Turbo Petrol Manual 7S, and after clocking 3,000 km and creating countless memories (mostly great, with a few hiccups), I wanted to share my ownership experience with you all.Background Before this, I owned a Swift Petrol Manual since 2022, and believe me when I say-I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the driving experience. However, the itch for an upgrade hit me in early 2024. After countless hours of analysis, deep dives, and filtering, I finally narrowed down my choices.Note: I was open to both sedans and SUVs. For me, the 15-20L price bracket was the primary consideration-not the vehicle type. Each had its share of pros and cons. All views shared here are based on personal experiences of me and my wife, and are not meant as disrespect toward any of the cars mentioned below.Contenders 1. Honda City ZX Petrol MT This car has always had a soft spot in my heart, and a couple of showroom visits and test drives only strengthened my liking. The engine was butter-smooth, and driving it put a smile on my face. The i-VTEC was the only NA engine I would’ve happily picked in 2024 over any turbo.Why it was dropped: Compared to others in the segment, it lacked the modern flair-outdated infotainment, poor reverse camera, no Type-C USB ports, etc. Sadly, Honda seems to have lost its edge in the C-segment sedan space, especially against the Germans. With a heavy heart, we had to let this one go. 2. Hyundai Verna SX(O) Turbo Petrol MT This was packed with new-age features (maybe even some unnecessary ones). The turbo engine paired with a manual made it a rocket on Indian roads. Interiors were upmarket, as expected from Hyundai. Why it was dropped: While we had almost finalized it, the all-black interiors and aggressive ambient lighting made it feel suited for someone in their early 20s. Also, the low and slung seating wasn’t comfortable for my wife, especially in ethnic attire. She preferred a seat with height and a straight back for better comfort. 3. Kia Seltos HTX 1.5 Petrol MT A no-nonsense option. It ticked most modern car feature boxes-great interiors, upright seating, a large panoramic sunroof (a major plus for my wife), and decent road presence. The NA engine was good for city runs but lacked the punch of a turbo.Why it was dropped: The turbo variants came only with iMT or DCT, and I wanted a proper manual. Despite being a well-balanced package, it somehow didn’t click with me. 4. Mahindra Scorpio-N Z8 Select Petrol MT 7S A personal childhood favourite that ticked almost all boxes. But my wife vetoed it, stating she didn’t want a Scorpio as her personal car. Also, it had a small sunroof and lacked useful features like TPMS, auto-folding ORVMs, etc. The side-opening tailgate, rear visibility, and especially the poor mileage of the petrol variant sealed its fate. 5. Mahindra XUV700 AX5 Petrol MT 5S A very strong contender-looked great, drove well, and had most desired features. However, the lack of 6 airbags (a surprising omission), TPMS, and a price overshoot of 1.5-2L above budget made us drop it. Fuel efficiency concerns for a 2.0L turbo petrol engine were also a red flag. 6. Hyundai Creta N-Line N8 Manual This one had our hearts just before the Alcazar facelift was launched. Super fun to drive and stood out from the sea of regular Cretas. However, the N-Line felt more like an aesthetic upgrade-with red accents and the same turbo engine as the regular Creta. When parked next to the Alcazar, the latter looked more premium and upmarket. A parallel test drive of both helped us finalize our decision. 7. Final Notable Mention – Mahindra Thar ROXX MX5 Petrol MT I was sold the moment it launched-so much so that I almost booked it without answering the questions in my head. But ingress/egress was a challenge for my wife, and the lack of a panoramic sunroof was a drawback. We were also unsure about the reliability of Mahindra’s electronics and infotainment, especially in a brand-new variant. Why the Alcazar Facelift 2024? It turned out to be the perfect fit-a final puzzle piece that completed our search. It had everything we needed (and more), and the on-road price for the Prestige Turbo Petrol 7S variant was ideal.My Ownership Review After 3,000 km 1. ExteriorPremium big-car looksFacelift is clearly distinguished from the Creta, with its own identityStylish C-pillar glass and well-designed rearGround clearance is ample-better than sedans, though not as high as Scorpio-N or TharNew bridge-type roof rails and redesigned bonnet add muscular characterExcellent underbody protectionFull black wheel-arch cladding feels more premium than basic plastic (though more prone to scratches)Larger than 5-seaters like Creta/Seltos, yet more compact than Scorpio-N/XUV7002. InteriorExtremely premium feel with the brown-haze navy dual-tone schemeSeamlessly connected infotainment and instrument cluster-feels like a single, wide screenVery comfortable and spacious seatsEasy ingress and egressTray tables at the back are nice-to-haves, though not particularly useful in daily useMultiple Type-C ports-super handy for family tripsRear AC blower control is a thoughtful additionIt’s a 5+2 seater, but the third row is usable for average-height adults on short city drivesFoldable second and third rows offer flexible luggage spaceMassive panoramic sunroof-enhances the cabin experience, especially during rains or night drives3. Driving Experience1.5L turbo-petrol engine with ~160 HP and 253 Nm torque is a joy to driveSilent engine start-up with best-in-class NVH levelsLeather-wrapped steering-light at low speeds, gets firm as speed increasesDespite its size, it doesn’t feel bulky to driveManual gearbox is silky smooth-gears slot in effortlesslyThird-gear pull is particularly impressive-it delivers power on demandMileage:City (Bangalore traffic, AC on): 7-8 km/lHighway (100-115 km/h): 12-13 km/lBest recorded (Mysore to Bandipur, steady 65-80 km/h): ~15 km/l(Readings based on the MID; not manually calculated)Mileage wasn’t a big concern for me, since I drive less than 300 km/monthSlight body roll around corners-not a dealbreakerSuspension strikes a perfect balance-glides over potholes and unscientific speed bumpsBraking is confidence-inspiringHigh seating position gives great road visibilityOverall: The driving experience is fun, comfortable, and hassle-free-truly a delight. Negatives 1. 12V Battery Drain Warning Issue A major letdown and a frustrating experience for all facelift owners. It took Hyundai about 4 months (resolved in April 2025 via software update), and those months were exhausting and disheartening after spending ~20L. 2. Middle Row AC While adequate, it can feel underwhelming on very hot days with three passengers in the rear. 3. No Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay A surprising miss in this price segment-it should’ve been there. 4. No Powered Tailgate Would have been a real convenience feature. Final Verdict Despite a few minor issues, my wife and I are extremely happy with our choice. The 2024 Alcazar Facelift has exceeded expectations and delivered on all fronts. We’re looking forward to many more miles and memories with this beauty! Sharing a few pictures of our Alcazar for reference. ________________________________________Accessories Installed during Delivery 1. Leatherette Seat Covers (for Prestige 7S variant) 2. Mud Flaps 3. 3D Floor Mats 4. Door Edge Guards ________________________________________Accessories Planned 1. Dashcam 2. A+C+R Window Blinds Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.
