The owner, Sunny Juneja from Panipat, Haryana, wanted a premium and practical 7-seater within a budget of Rs. 20–21 lakh. Despite being a family of five, the preference for a 7-seater came from his daughter, who liked the idea of a larger car with more space and presence. After considering options like the Hyundai Creta, Sunny chose the Alcazar for its added practicality, spacious third row, and diesel efficiency without compromising on modern features.

Why the Hyundai Alcazar Was Chosen

The owner shares that the Alcazar made more sense than 5-seater mid-size SUVs, which were priced similarly but lacked the extra seating capacity. He felt the Alcazar offered more value with three-row flexibility and additional comfort features. He also liked the design and road presence of the SUV, calling it “more premium-looking” than many rivals in the same price range.

Variant Details & Price

The owner went with the Prestige Diesel Manual variant, which cost him around Rs. 21 lakh on-road. He specifically opted for the diesel version due to better torque delivery, long-term efficiency, and low engine noise. He also mentioned that while the turbo-petrol version was on his radar, he skipped it due to the lack of a proper test drive and his preference for diesel power.

Ride Quality, Engine Refinement & Performance

The owner praised the Alcazar’s ride comfort, calling it extremely stable at high speeds with no body roll even at 150 km/h. He felt the suspension strikes the right balance between softness and stability, making long drives fatigue-free. The engine, despite being a diesel, feels refined and quiet, especially inside the cabin. He reports minimal vibrations and almost no diesel clatter, even during cold starts or in traffic.

Mileage & Fuel Efficiency

According to the owner, the Alcazar delivers between 650–700 km on a full tank costing around ₹4,000, which translates to real-world mileage of 16–17.5 kmpl. He noted that mileage wasn’t a top priority for him, but the efficiency was still impressive for a diesel SUV of this size. On highways, the mileage improves slightly during constant-speed cruising.

Interior Space & Practicality

The owner says the Alcazar strikes a good balance between cabin space and boot capacity. He found the middle row spacious and appreciated the addition of tray tables with cupholders, which his family uses regularly during long journeys. The third row, while not the largest, is usable for short trips, and folding it down offers ample boot space for luggage.

Feature Experience

The owner was happy with features like push-button start, remote engine start from the app, large infotainment screen, digital instrument cluster, and dual-zone AC. However, the owner expressed disappointment over the missing sunroof and stepney in the diesel Prestige variant—especially since the petrol version gets both. He feels Hyundai should have included these as standard across both fuel types.

Driving Style & Engine Choice

The owner mentioned he enjoys driving and occasionally pushes the car to high speeds, which made the diesel engine a more suitable pick due to its strong mid-range torque. He believes the 1.5L diesel engine is well-suited for both city and highway use and appreciates the way it delivers power without frequent downshifts.

Positive

• The owner says the ride comfort is excellent, especially on highways, with no body roll even at speeds of 150 km/h.
• Engine refinement is impressive, with almost no diesel noise inside the cabin.
• The Alcazar strikes a good balance between interior space and boot space.
• The diesel engine delivers strong torque and remains stable without frequent gear shifts.
• Mileage of around 16–17.5 kmpl is achieved consistently in mixed driving conditions.
• The cabin feels premium with features like a digital instrument cluster, touchscreen infotainment, remote start, and tray tables for the second row.
• Suspension setup is well-balanced, offering both comfort and high-speed confidence.

Negative

• The owner is disappointed that the diesel Prestige variant doesn’t get a sunroof, whereas the petrol Prestige does.
• Stepney is missing in the diesel variant, which he feels should have been standard.
• Third-row space is limited for adults and is best suited for short drives.
• He felt Hyundai could’ve offered more features in the mid-variant to match the competition.

Verdict

The owner feels the 2025 Hyundai Alcazar Prestige Diesel Manual is a practical and well-rounded choice for families. Despite a few feature misses, he believes it offers excellent value with strong performance, spacious interiors, high-speed stability, and good fuel efficiency. His ownership experience reflects that even the mid-variant delivers enough comfort and capability to satisfy premium SUV buyers in the Rs. 20 lakh segment.

Source: Paras Gaba