Hyundai has rolled out the facelifted iteration of the Alcazar SUV bringing with it notable cosmetic updates, revamped interiors and a host of new features. The updated SUV is priced from Rs 14 lakh (ex-showroom) and while it traditionally will go up against the Mahindra XUV700 and MG Hector, its pricing also puts in alongside its cousin from Kia, the Carens. So how do the Carens and Alcazar compare? Lets take a look.
Also read: Hyundai Alcazar Facelift vs Creta: How Different Are The Two SUVs?
The Alcazar sees a price overlap with the higher variants of the Kia Carens.
| Hyundai Alcazar facelift | Kia Carens | |
| Length | 4560 mm | 4540 mm |
| Width | 1800 mm | 1800 mm |
| Height | 1710 mm | 1708 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2760 mm | 2780 mm |
In terms of physical size, the Carens and Alcazar are within 20 mm of each other. The Alcazar is overall longer than the Kia by 20 mm though its the latter that has a 20 mm longer wheelbase. Both models also have identical body width though the Alcazar is minutely taller.
Also read: 2024 Hyundai Alcazar Facelift: 5 Major Changes Over The Previous Model
The Alcazar and Carens are of a similar size though they have notably different designs.
It’s however the design that's the biggest differentiator with the Caren’s following an MPV design theme while the Alcazar looks the part of a boxy and upright SUV.
| Hyundai Alcazar Facelift | Kia Carens | |
| Engine | 1.5-litre T-GDi turbo-petrol | 1.5-litre petrol / 1.5-litre T-GDi turbo-petrol |
| Power | 159 bhp at 5500 rpm | 113 bhp at 5500 rpm / 159 bhp at 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 253 Nm at 1500-3500 rpm | 144 Nm at 4500 rpm / 253 Nm at 1500-3500 rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed MT / 7-speed DCT | 6-speed MT (NA petrol) / 6-speed iMT / 7-speed DCT |
While the Alcazar is offered with a turbo-petrol engine option as standard, the Carens can be optioned with either a naturally aspirated petrol or turbo-petrol engine depending on the variant. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated unit develops 113 bhp and 144 Nm of peak torque are is solely offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Also read: Hyundai Alcazar Facelift: Variants, Features, Prices Explained
The Carens and Alcazar use the same 1.5 T-GDi turbo-petrol engine; difference comes down to the gearbox options.
Moving to the turbo-petrol, the Carens and Alcazar both use the same 1.5-litre T-GDi turbo-petrol engine with identical peak outputs of 159 bhp and 253 Nm. Even the rpms for peak outputs are identical. The difference between teh two comes in the form of the gearboxes. While both are offered with the option of a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox the Alcazar also comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox while the Carens is offered with a 6-speed iMT (manual gearbox with an automated clutch).
Also read: Hyundai Alcazar Facelift Launched In India; Prices Start At Rs. 14.99 Lakh
| Hyundai Alcazar Facelift | Kia Carens | |
| Engine | 1.5-litre, CRDi, diesel | 1.5-litre, CRDi, diesel |
| Power | 114 bhp at 4000 rpm | 114 bhp at 4000 rpm |
| Torque | 250 Nm at 1500-2750 rpm | 250 Nm at 1500-2750 rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed MT / 6-speed AT | 6-speed MT/ 6-speed iMT/ 6-speed AT |
On the diesel front too, both the Alcazar and Carens are near identical featuring the same 1.5-litre diesel engines developing identical power and torque at similar rpms. The difference again is down to the gearbox with the Carens getting the option of a 6-speed iMT unit alongside a traditional 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic.
Also read: New Kia Carnival Bookings Open In India On September 16
The diesel engine is also common between the two cars; Carens offers an iMT gearbox option which the Alcazar lacks.
The Alcazar is offered with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter automatic.
| Hyundai Alcazar Facelift | Kia Carens | |
| Petrol | Rs 15 lakh - Rs 21.55 lakh | Rs 10.51 lakh - Rs 19.44 lakh |
| Diesel | Rs 16 lakh - Rs 21.55 lakh | Rs 12.67 lakh - Rs 19.94 lakh |
In terms of pricing, the Carens has a notably lower starting price than its Hyundai cousin which does sit in a higher segment. Also of note is that the Rs 10.51 lakh (ex-showroom) starting price of the Carens is for the naturally aspirated petrol engine while prices for the turbo-petrol start from Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom). The Carens diesel is also notably less expensive as compared to the Alcazar diesel.
Also Read: Kia Sonet, Seltos, Carens Gravity Editions Launched In India: Check Features, Prices
The Alcazar sits a segment above the Carens and packs in more tech.
For its higher price tag, the Alcazar packs in more tech and features as compared to the Carens with top variants offered with a powered co-driver seat, driver seat memory, Level 2 ADAS functions, ventilated middle row captain seats, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control among other features.
