Reaching New Heights

The new Hyundai Alcazar for 2025 marks a proper step forward for the popular three-row sport utility vehicle (SUV) and it has a lot of surprises in store. We drove it in the midst of the beautiful Aravalli Hills in Udaipur

- Jim Gorde

IMAGINE SERENITY BEING SOMETHING THAT can be visioned in one’s mind. It’s easy sometimes. Take an exotic location, add a spacious and comfortable car, and a big scoop each of natural beauty and fresh air and it turns out to be a great mix. And when that car is something one has been familiar with for some time and when it’s a new take on a classic recipe, it means there is more joy to be had from some considerable evolution.

The new Alcazar brings refreshed styling—inspired by the Creta N-Line—and packs in a slew of new features and advanced equipment to make it better than ever before. It has grown, meaning the space is not just intact but made nicer and even more comfortable. At 4,560 millimetres overall, it is 60 mm longer and 10 mm wider than its predecessor, while running the same 2,760-mm wheelbase.

A big change is in the choice of colours. There are nine choices of exterior finish, of which two are matte shades—including the Titan Grey Matte we have here—and a dual-tone white-body-black-roof one as well. The highlights are the dark chrome radiator grille with quad beam LED headlights, joined by H-shaped daytime running lights (DRL) along the front. Complementing those are the connected rear LED tail-light clusters. The painted black cladding and new 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with 215/55 R18 rubber add to its muscular stance and adventurous persona.

Adding the power to back the style is the 1.5-litre TGDI turbo petrol direct-injection engine, paired with the seven-speed dualclutch automatic transmission, and it does a fine job of delivering a good dose of power and torque, 160 hp and 253 Nm to be precise. Although the mid- and top-end delivery is sublime, needless to say the bottom end is second only to the turbo-diesel—which Hyundai seem to have mastered.