Hyundai Alcazar Facelift

The Hyundai Alcazar 2024 has just been launched in India, and prices range from Rs. 14.99 lakh to Rs. 21.55 lakh-ex-showroom. The refreshed 3-row SUV comes with basically four variants: Executive, Prestige, Platinum, and Signature. While it shares the bulk of their feature set with the outgoing model, the new Alcazar also offers some updated elements. Planning to make Alcazar your next vehicle? Have a look at what feature is being offered in each of its variants to help you reach a decision. Hyundai Alcazar Executive The new Hyundai Alcazar Executive is offered with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit churning 160PS/253Nm and a 1.5-litre U2 CRDi diesel unit that churns 116PS/250Nm. Both powertrains are paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox. It is available only in a 7-seater layout.  It is priced between Rs. 14.99 lakh to Rs. 15.99 lakh, ex-showroom. Here is the list of features provided in this variant Hyundai Alcazar Executive.  Exterior Features Auto-LED Headlights  Connected LED DRLs and H-shaped lighting elements Dynamic LED turn indicators LED turn indicators on ORVMs LED tail lights 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels Black Body Cladding Body-coloured door handles and ORVMs Twin Tip Exhaust Front and rear skid plates Rear Spoiler Roof Rails Dark chrome radiator grill Side sill garnish Interior Features Dual-tone interior Fabric upholstery on seats Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever Metallic finish on inside door handles Door scuff plates Ambient lighting Adjustable headrests for all seats Front seatback tray and cupholder 2nd row centre armrest (in 7-seater version) Sliding front centre armrest with storage space Sunglass holder Semi-digital driver’s display with MID Sliding front centre armrest with storage space Semi-digital driver’s display with MID Dual-zone Auto AC with rear vents for second and third rows (with 3-level fan control for third row) Cooled glovebox Electric boot release Manually adjustable driver’s seat Sliding and reclining second-row seats Reclining third-row seats Push-button start/stop Remote engine start Rear window sunshade Tilt and telescopic adjustment for the steering wheel Cruise control Electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs with auto-fold function Type-C charging port for all three rows (x1 for the third row) 12V power socket at the front All four power windows Day/night IRVM Boot lamp Safety Features 6 airbags (as standard) Electronic stability control (ESC) Hill-start assist Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) All four disc brakes Rear wiper and washer Rear defogger with timer Height-adjustable front seat belts Rear parking camera and rear parking sensors 3-point seatbelt for all seats with seatbelt reminders ISOFIX child seat mounts ABS with EBD Vehicle stability management Speed-sensing auto door lock Impact Sensing auto door unlock Driver anchor pretensioner Driver power window with auto-up-down and safety Inside door override Immobilizer Central locking Emergency stop signals Hyundai Alcazar Prestige The new Hyundai Alcazar Prestige now gets a choice of two engines: a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol developing 160PS and 253Nm of torque and a 1.5-litre U2 CRDi diesel unit making 116PS and 250Nm of torque. Both the engines get a 6-speed manual transmission. The Alcazar Prestige is only available as a 7-seater and has a price bracket of Rs. 17 lakh to Rs. 18 lakh ex-showroom. Here are the features available on the Prestige variant over the Executive variant. Exterior Features Chrome outside door handles Shark fin antenna Interior Features Auto-dimming IRVM Voice-assisted panoramic sunroof (for petrol engine option only) Steering-mounted audio and calling controls Wireless phone charger for the front passengers 10.25-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay 6 speakers (including two tweeters) Connected car tech Alexa connectivity Hyundai Alcazar Platinum The new Hyundai Alcazar Platinum is available with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol that produces 160PS and 253Nm of torque, while the alternate option is a 1.5-litre U2 CRDi diesel unit that churns out 116PS and 250Nm of torque. The Platinum model comes with 6 as well as 7-seat options. There are two types of transmissions available in the Platinum model, namely, DCT in the 6-seat version and both MT as well as DCT in the 7-seat unit (petrol). The 6-seater diesel gets a 6-speed torque converter automatic, while the 7-seater is available in MT and AT. The Platinum bridges the range between Rs 19.46 lakh and Rs 21 lakh (ex-showroom). Features added in the Platinum over Prestige variant. Exterior Features 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels Black roof Black-painted ORVMs Interior Features Leatherette seat upholstery Leatherette-wrapped door armrests Option of captain seats with wing-type headrests 10.25-inch digital driver’s display Paddle shifters and drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport (only with automatic variants) 8-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat Second-row wireless phone charger Two USB-C ports for the third-row passengers Second-row 8-speaker Bose sound system Safety Features Hill-descent control Front parking sensors Rain-sensing wipers Level-2 ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) Electronic parking brake with auto-hold Traction control modes: Snow, Mud and Sand (only with automatic variants) Hyundai Alcazar Signature The new Hyundai Alcazar Signature will be powered by a choice between a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine making 160PS and 253Nm, or a 1.5-litre U2 CRDi diesel engine making 116PS and 250Nm. The new car is available in both the 6-seater and 7-seater options. Both diesel and petrol models are matched with a DCT for the petrol and an AT for the diesel variants. Prices for the Platinum variant have been set between Rs. 21.20 lakh and Rs. 21.40 lakh (ex-showroom). Here are the additional features that are available in the Signature variant over to the Platinum. Exterior Features Dual-tone paint option Interior Features Driver seat with two levels of memory function 8-way electronically adjustable co-drivers seat Remote car unlocking Front ventilated seats Second-row ventilated seats (6-seater variants only) Adjustable under-thigh cushion Electric boss mode for 2nd row passengers (only with 6-seater variants) Conclusion The Hyundai Alcazar comes in many variants that can fit the diverse needs of taste and different budgets, from the bare-bones Prestige with only the most essential features to the fully-loaded Signature variants with both 7-seater and 6-seater options. At the same time, each variant has been developed to maintain the right balance between comfort and luxury on one side and advanced safety on the other. Whether you want a value-for-money SUV or an over-the-top premium driving experience, the lineup of the Alcazar caters to everything. Also Read: Tata Curvv Petrol, Diesel Variants Explained: Which One to Buy?

The Hyundai Venue is a compact SUV that has made it to the Indian market and has ranked top in its class as one of the safest cars. With the confidence of winning buyers as a safety-first car, along with its brilliant set of safety features and robust build quality, in this blog post, we will find out why Hyundai Venue is considered the safest SUV. Comprehensive Safety Features The Venue comes with a big list of safety features that assure complete safety for its passengers. Given below is a list of some of the main safety features of the top-end model, Hyundai Venue SX(O) 1.0 Turbo DCT Knight Edition: 6 Airbags (Driver, Front Passenger, 2 Curtains, Driver Side, Front Passenger Side)  Seat Belt Warning  Child Lock Anchor Points for Child Seat  Overspeed Warning  Speed Sensing Door Lock  Anti-theft Engine Immobilizer  Middle rear three-point seatbelt  Flashing Emergency Brake Light Central Locking All the above-mentioned elements work together to ensure a safe interior space within the vehicle for the driver and passengers to minimise the causality in case of an accident. ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) Hyundai Venue is packed with Hyundai's SmartSense advanced ADAS technology. Some of the advanced safety features that have been upfront are: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist-Car and Pedestrian and Cyclist Lane Keeping Assist Lane Departure Warning Driver Attention Warning Lane Following Assist (LFA) High Beam Assist (HBA) Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA) All these ADAS features work through sensors and cameras in tandem, monitoring road conditions for probable risks. Events are highlighted by taking corrective warnings to the driver or actions that help avoid a collision. Technology, in such advanced forms, makes it possible to increase the safety profile that a vehicle offers and brings a feeling of security to the art of driving. Read Also: Discover 10 Best ADAS Cars in India 2024: Safest Choices Robust Build The strong and rigid body structure of the Hyundai Venue ensures resistance and strength in providing safety to the occupants in case of any collision. Advanced high-strength steel is responsible for enhanced structural integrity with proper structural placement of the reinforcement elements in the vehicle. Besides, the suspension system is tuned in Venue to maintain harmony among comfort and stability and control over diversified road conditions. This solid platform structure with an adequately engineered suspension system will help keep the vehicle stable and responsive; thus, accidents can be well avoided. Australian NCAP Crash Test Rating The Hyundai Venue has come out with flying colours; it got a 4-star safety rating by ANCAP due to its reasonable performance in different crash tests and safety analyses. This rating sums up the fact that the Venue has robust safety features to protect its occupants reliably.  The review sums up the performance of the vehicle in key areas: adult and child occupant protection, besides its potential to minimise injury in case some accidents are inevitable. This 4-star rating by ANCAP reinforces the safety feature of Hyundai Venue to further make it commendable to safety-conscious buyers. Conclusion A long list of safety features, advanced driver assistance systems, top-notch build quality, and its excellent rating in Global NCAP crash tests make the Hyundai Venue emerge as one of the safest SUVs on sale in India. The Hyundai Venue shows how serious Hyundai is in terms of safety and makes the buyers assured that they are driving a vehicle that will keep them as safe as possible. Read Also: ADAS Levels Explained With Examples

Hyundai’s first locally developed electric vehicle, the Creta EV will be launched in the country in January 2025. Moreover, the company is developing an all-new entry-level electric SUV for the global as well as the Indian market. Codenamed HE1i, the new sub-compact electric SUV will be manufactured at Hyundai’s Sriperumbudur factory.  The electric SUV will be the Indianized version of the Inster EV, which has recently been launched in the international markets. The new model will have similar dimensions to the Exter micro SUV on sale in our market. Hyundai could follow Tata’s strategy and could name the new electric vehicle Exter EV; however, final details will be revealed in the near future. The SUV gets a Casper-inspired design, a tech-loaded interior and two battery pack options. Get more details here! Hyundai Inster EV: Platform and Dimensions The India-spec Inster EV will be based on Hyundai's global and affordable E-GMP (K) platform, which also underpins the Casper EV. Despite being based on the Casper, the Inster EV is 230 mm longer and 15 mm wider. The boot space is also increased from 280 litres to 351 litres. As far as the dimensions are concerned, the Inster EV measures 3,825 mm in length, 1,610 mm in width, and 1,575 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,580 mm. Design and Features The outer appearance of the upcoming Hyundai Inster will be similar to the global-spec Casper micro SUV. However, it will have EV-specific styling such as a closed-off front grille, fresh LED DRLs, larger LED round-shaped headlamps, and a fresh lower bumper with a silver bar surround. Its side profile will have a boxy shape with clean surfaces, squarish glass areas, and a flat roofline. The rear profile will be quite different from the Casper and Exter. It will have LED pixelated tail lights, a roof-mounted spoiler, a larger bumper, and a bigger skid plate. Inside the cabin, it will get a 10.25-inch freestanding touchscreen infotainment system, 10.25-inch digital instrument console, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless charging dock, multi-functional steering wheel, 50/50 split for the second-row seats with slide and recline function. ADAS Features The Inster EV comes equipped with an ADAS suite comprising features like Parking Collision Avoidance Assist Rear, Surround View Monitor, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 1.5, Lane Keeping & Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and more. Battery, Range, Charging Details The India-spec Hyundai Inster EV is likely to get a 42 kWh battery pack as standard. A long-range 49 kWh battery could also come as an option. The global-spec model also gets the same set of battery packs. Both units are equipped with electric motors mounted on the front axle. The power torque figures stand at 96 bhp/147Nm for the standard battery and 113 bhp/147Nm for the long-range variant. The EV is claimed to offer a range of 355 km on a full charge. Using a 120 kW DC fast charger, the car’s battery can be charged from 10-80 percent in around 30 minutes. It will also come with an 11 kW on-board charger as standard. Besides, the Inster EV will support the Vehicle-to-Load functionality. Launch in India Hyundai has plans to launch the electric version of Creta in 2025. Once it is launched, the Inster EV could arrive anytime in India, probably by the second half of 2026. Price and Rivals Hyundai Inster EV is expected to be priced around Rs 10 lakh to Rs 14 lakh (ex-showroom), becoming the cheapest Electric Car to rival Tata Punch EV. Also Read: 3 Upcoming Hyundai Compact SUVs For India - New Venue, Inster

Despite decline in sales in the EV segment, automakers in India are aiming to introduce Electric Cars and SUVs. Tata Motors is currently ruling the EV segment with more than 60% share and is aiming to further cement its place by launching many more in near future. Similarly, Maruti Suzuki and Toyota will enter the EV space by introducing new electric SUVs in the country.  Mahindra will introduce a series of Born-electric SUVs, while Hyundai and Kia will launch the locally developed mass-market EVs in the country. In this article, we talk about the top 10 electric SUVs to be launched in the country over the period of next 1-2 year.  Upcoming Electric SUVs Upcoming electric SUVs Launch Timeline Hyundai Creta EV January 2025 Maruti Suzuki eVX Early 2025 Mahindra XUV.e8 December 2024 or January 2025 Mahindra XUV.e9 Mid-2025 Mahindra BE.05 October 2025 Tata Harrier EV Early 2025 Tata Safari EV Mid-2025 Tata Sierra End of 2025 or early 2026 Kia Carens EV & Syros/Clavis Mid-2025 Toyota Urban SUV 2025 Hyundai Creta EV Korean automaker Hyundai is all set to introduce the new electric SUV based on the Creta in the country in the first quarter of 2025. Expected to be introduced at the 2025 Bharat Mobility Show, the new Hyundai Creta EV will enter the production lineup by the end of this year. It is likely to be fitted with a 45kWh battery pack, which is smaller than the MG ZS EV and the upcoming Maruti Suzuki eVX. The electric SUV will share its electric motors with the new-gen Kona EV on sale in global markets. The front-mounted electric motor produces 138bhp and 255Nm of torque.  The overall shape will be similar to the ICE Creta; however, it will receive some EV-specific design changes. The electric SUV will have a closed-off grille, new aero-optimised alloy wheels, and new bumpers. The cabin will receive some changes including Kona EV like steering wheel, and new twin-screen setup for the infotainment instrument console.  Maruti Suzuki eVX Maruti Suzuki will also introduce an all-new electric SUV, which is basically the production version of the eVX concept. The production version of the EV is most likely to debut at the 2025 Bharat Mobility Show in January, while launch is expected in mid-2025. It will be locally developed at Suzuki's Gujarat-based manufacturing plant and will be exported to select International markets including Europe and Japan. The new model will be based on an all-new skateboard platform, which is jointly developed by Suzuki and Toyota. Internally known as 27PL, the new architecture is basically an affordable version of Toyota's global 40PL skateboard platform.  Measuring around 4.3 meters in length, the new electric SUV is likely to be offered with two battery pack options- a 48kWh and a 60kWh. The top-spec model is expected to offer a range of over 500km on a single charge, while the smaller model could offer a range of up to 450km. The top-spec model could also receive a dual-motor AWD setup.  Mahindra BE.05, XUV.e8 and XUV.e9 Mahindra will launch 3 new Born electric SUVs in the country before the end of 2025. The first Mahindra electric SUV will be the XUV.e8, which is expected to be introduced in December or January. A possible debut in production avatar at BMS 2025 can't be ignored. It appears identical to the XUV700; however, the platform is different and has more advanced features. This 3-row electric SUV will be based on the skateboard INGLO architecture, which will also underpin the XUV.e9 and the BE.05.  The XUV.e9 will be a 5-seater Coupe SUV and will share its interior components and features with the XUV.e8. It is expected to be launched sometime in 2025; however, the exact launch timeline will be revealed at a later stage. Adding to it, Mahindra will introduce the BE.05 electric SUV Coupe by October 2025. This model will come as a premium alternative to the XUV400 and will rival the MG ZS EV, Hyundai Creta EV and Maruti Suzuki EVX. The new models will come fitted with a battery pack of around 60-80kWh along with RWD and AWD system.  Tata Harrier EV, Safari EV and Sierra EV After introducing the Curvv EV, Tata Motors is now readying the electric derivatives of the Harrier and Safari SUVs. In fact, the closer to production Tata Harrier EV was showcased at the 2024 Bharat Mobility Show. It is expected that the production-ready model will be launched in the first quarter of 2025 with public debut likely at the 2025 Bharat Mobility Show in January. Not just Harrier EV, Tata Safari will also receive an electric derivative sometime in 2025. Both models will also receive dual-motor AWD setup. The new EVs will be manufactured on the Tata Motors' Acti.ev platform, which supports FWD, RWD and AWD systems.  Tata Motors will also enter the lifestyle SUV category with the Sierra EV. Expected to be launched in late 2025, the new Sierra will also receive an ICE derivative. It is likely to be offered in two seating configurations - the 5-seater and 4-seater lounge. The lounge variant will feature two electrically adjustable independent seats at the back. This model will be based on the Acti.ev architecture. All three EVs will receive a battery pack of around 80kWh.  Kia Carens EV & Syros/Clavis Korean automaker Kia will introduce two locally developed electric vehicles in the Indian market in 2025-26. The company is testing an all-new electric MPV and a compact electric SUV. The e-MPV is basically the electric derivative of the Carens, which will also receive a facelift. Adding to it, the company will have a new compact SUV that will be positioned between the Sonet and Seltos. To be branded as a lifestyle SUV, the new model is rumoured to be called the Kia Syros or the Kia Clavis.  The Carens EV and the electric SUV are likely to feature around a 45-50kWh battery pack with a front-axle-mounted electric motor. The new models are likely to offer an electric range of around 400-500km on a single charge.  Toyota Urban SUV  Toyota had showcased the Urban SUV Concept globally last year. The electric SUV is basically Toyota's version of the Maruti Suzuki eVX and is expected to enter production in 2025. It will share the platform, exterior panels and interior upholstery with its Maruti cousin. In terms of proportions, the new Toyota EV will measure 4.3 meters in length and will have a wheelbase of around 2700mm. The new model will be available with both FWD and AWD systems. As for the battery pack and driving range, it is likely to be identical to the eVX. Also See - Skoda Kylaq Expected Price, Launch Timeline