Battle of the 7-Seater SUVs - Hyundai Alcazar Vs Kia Carens
South Korean automakers have been ruling the SUV segment in India for quite some time. And the latest to join the league is the Kia Carens, which is being touted as a worthy competitor against its own sibling Hyundai Alcazar. There are too many commonalities on paper, however, there are differences in the real world.
If you are trying to decide between the Hyundai Alcazar and Kia Carens, then here is a comparison of the features, price, and performance of the two vehicles to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Both the cars are based on the platform of their respective alter egos i.e. Creta and Seltos. However, if you park Carens and Alcazar in a parking lot one behind the other, you will see the clear distinction between the two as the former looks more like an MPV, with the small 16-inch wheels further making it clear.
On the styling front, the Alcazar is reminiscent of Creta featuring a bold grille, emphasised by dark brushed metal and linked to LED headlamps. The SUV comes with a scuff plate at both ends, and 18-inch wheels making its SUV case stronger. At the rear, the Alcazar honeycomb-styled LED taillamps are connected by a thick chrome bar.
Carens, on the other hand, has been positioned as a recreational vehicle having a distinctive identity compared to its SUV cousin Seltos. At the front, the car also gets premium LED headlamps with LED DRLs and a sleek grille. The rear profile is flanked by boomerang-shaped LED taillights nicely connected by a thin LED strip.
| Hyundai Alcazar | Kia Carens | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,540 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,675 mm | 1,708 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 200 mm | 195 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,760 mm | 2,780 mm |
| Boot Space | 180 litres, up to 1,051 litres (2nd and 3rd row folded) | 216-litres, up to 1,164-litres (2nd and 3rd row folded) |
Both Alcazar and Carens are known for offering well-laid cabins and a full load of comfort features. Where Alcazar gets a dual-tone dark cabin, the Carens get a lighter dual-tone theme.
Both the cars get leather treatment across the cabin which lifts the premium appeal inside. Here is a breakdown of the top comfort features offered by both these cars.
| Hyundai Alcazar | Kia Carens | |
|---|---|---|
| Touchscreen Infotainment | 10.25-inch with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, and BlueLink-connected car tech | 10.25-inch with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay and Kia Connect System |
| Audio System | 8-Speaker Bose sound system | 8-Speaker Bose sound system |
| Digital Instrument Cluster | Available | Available |
| Auto Climate Control | Available | Available |
| Powered Driver's Seat | 8-way adjustable | NA |
| Ventilated Front Seats | Available | Available |
| Wireless Charger | First row (with cooling function) | First and Second row |
| Remote Engine Start | Available | Available |
| Sunroof | Standard (Voice controlled) | Panoramic |
| Rear Window Blinds | Available | Available |
| Paddle Shifters | Available | Available |
| Air Purifier | NA | Available |
| One-touch Tumble Second Row | Electric | Manual |
| Flat-Bottom Steering | Available | Available |
| 60:40 2nd Row Split | Available | Available |
| 50:50 3rd Row Split | Available | Available |
| Airbags | Six (standard) | Six (standard) |
| Vehicle Stability Management | Available | Available |
| Hill Start Assist | Available | Available |
| TPMS | Available | Available |
| Camera | Standard | 360-degree |
| Blind-View Monitor | Available | NA |
Out of the two, Alcazar gives a more commanding driving position with the seat set higher. Both cars offer effortless entry and exit at the second row.
The Carens have an upper edge in this department with more headroom, knee room, and under-thigh support. The car is also better in terms of ingress and egress in the third row, thanks to more width and height.
Both the SUVs are available in multiple engine options. Here Kia Carens gets the advantage of an additional petrol engine. However, the turbo-petrol version of the Hyundai Alcazar offers more power and torque than its counterpart.
| Hyundai Alcazar | Kia Carens | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5-litre turbo-petrol/1.5-litre diesel | 1.4-litre petrol/1.5 -litre petrol/1.5-litre diesel |
| Power | 160 PS/116 PS | 140 PS/115 PS/115 PS |
| Torque | 253 Nm/250 Nm | 242 Nm/144 Nm/250 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed MT or 7-speed DCT/6-speed MT or 6-speed AT | 6-speed MT or 7-speed DCT/6-speed MT/6-speed MT or 6-speed AT |
Here comes the deciding factor, which may play a crucial part in choosing the right SUV. The Alcazar is available in a range of 16.75 to 21.10 lakh, as against Kia Carens, which comes in the price bracket of 10.45 - 18.95 lakh. If you are on a tight budget and ready to compromise on a few features, Kia Carens may be the right c`hoice.
However, Hyundai Alcazar has a more muscular appeal, comes loaded with features, and is a bit more powerful. But if we talk about overall value for money, then Kia Carens is the way to go.
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