Auto tested more than 90 cars in 2025. As is tradition, we now re-publish our favourite tests of the year as our six Best Tests over the first weeks of December. We will then present three Auto Special Awards in the Best EV, Best Bakkie and Performance car of the year 2025. And then we announce the overall Best Test 2025 on 19 December. So come back for your daily Auto entertainment!
AUTO BEST TESTS 2025 #4: HYUNDAI ALCAZAR 1.5D ELITE
BEST TEST 4: Latest family Hyundai a pleasant surprise
Every now and then a car comes along that beats expectations. The bold New Hyundai Alcazar is one of those. Billed as a family friendly 7-seat SUV, it wanders into an explosive market niche, but it offers an enticing blend of utility and practicality. At a price that may still tempt you away from those bargain Chinese.
Hyundai tells us that Alcazar is designed with South African families in mind. Which makes us wonder why we take preference over all those other markets it sells in, or if our families are special. No matter, it certainly is built for purpose. Alcazar joins the brand’s growing SUV lineup to complement the Creta as a more spacious seven-seater.
Seven-seat Alcazar has all the trimmings
Alcazar adds a slightly elevated third row bench complete with charging points and air vents. It’s an affordable solution that does not skimp on comfort, specification or convenience. Best of all, its powered by a creamy and frugal 85 kW 250 Nm 1.5-litre turbodiesel. More proof that Hyundai fails to be swayed by the woke and still worries about what the market actually wants and needs. Not what idiot legislators demand.
Anyway, it’s not all that quick, but still a second quicker than claimed to 100 km/h. And more frugal. There’s also a 2-litre petrol available at under half a million rand, but this responsive and economical derv gets on well with it’s with slick six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. Alcazar also gains Eco and Sport and three Snow, Mud, or Sand driving modes to suit whatever terrain it tackles.
Aimed to offer real value at an affordable price, it succeeds to an extent, Hyundai has worked hard to deliver a significant standard feature list for the money. Take the Chinese away, and you will see that certainly have succeeded. That said, there’s always far more stead ion a known brand and a quarter century down the line, the recent newbies are now also fighting against what’s followed.
Alcazar: real value at an affordable price
For starters, the Alcazar comes in at a lower starting price than the car it replaces to ‘make premium family travel more accessible to South Africans’. But let’s start with the looks. A bold, squared design in what seems to be the new Hyundai way, it features an ever more common H-style LED daytime running lights linked by a central bar on the bold grille. Stylish 18-inch diamond-cut wheels add to the poise.
This latest Hyundai design trend spreads to the silver lower grille and faux rear bash plate, LED lighting to mirror the front and widened dark insert fenders. Bold enough without going too far, it’s the next step in Hyundai’s latest styling journey commenced by the Exter below and progressed through the Santa Fe above. Expect this squared off look to soon spread through the rest of the SUV range, too.
But as Hyundai insists, the real Alcazar advantages sit in its roomy, comfy and well specified cabin that ‘works for everyone’. Crucial in a car market where rand per spec is rapidly becoming the be-all and end-all. There’s USB charging on all three rows, fold-out tables for the second row, and both rear rows fold completely flat to transform your family SUV into a cargo van in seconds.
A connected, usable and driver-focused cockpit
The driver-focused cockpit is dominated by its CarPlay and Auto connected high-resolution dual-screen display with wireless charging. And, it’s really good to see carmakers actually still boasting this: easy-to-use climate and audio controls with physical buttons. “So the driver can keep his or her eyes on the road for a stress-free journey.”
Sure, it comes at a pretty premium. But our Elite also included an airy panoramic sunroof, custom LED mood lighting and ventilated front pews. In addition to its significant standard spec. Safety is top notch too, with six airbags, top and bottom ISOFIX child seat anchors. As well as stability control and hill assist features. Out Elite added blind spot monitoring, easy to override lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Some may say that the cabin is a bit simplistic, plasticky and even boring compared to certain glitzy Chinese offerings. But when it comes to spec, the Hyundai Alcazar is extremely well equipped. It has everything the modern family needs on the road. Its edgy styling sets it apart; it does everything well. And comes with famous Hyundai brand advantages including a 7-year/200,000 km warranty and handy service plan.
A genuine alternative to the Chinese?
Which is all quite a bit more than we expected. So if you’re on a budget, need a spacious and supremely kitted seven-seater and you’re still not ready for a Chinese car, this Korean may just be manna from heaven. The Hyundai Alcazar is the latest weapon in what’s fast becoming the arsenal of a traditional fightback, and it does it in quite compelling style, too. – Michele Lupini
Images & testing: Giordano Lupini
AUTO BEST TEST #4 2025
ROAD TESTED: Hyundai Alcazar 1.5D Elite
Engine: 85 kW 250 Nm 1.5-litre turbodiesel I4
Drive: 6 speed automatic FWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 4.91sec
0-100 km/h: 11.45 sec
0-120 km/h: 16.75 sec
400m: 17.9 sec @124 km/h
80-120 km/h: 9.07sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 171 km/h
Fuel: 5.9 l/100 km
CO2: 159 g/km
Range: 850 km
Warranty/Service: 7 y 200K/3y 45K km
LIST PRICE: R660K
How does it compare?
Check with Auto's Test Data right here