Which One Is Better For You? Comparison: Kia Carens vs Alcazar – Sibling Rivalry

The Kia Carens vs Alcazar marked the South Korean manufacturer’s foray into the 3- row, 7-seater, large SUV segment in India. Just like the Kia Carens is a stretched version of the Kia Seltos, the Alcazar is a 3-row version of the Hyundai Creta. Hyundai and Kia share platforms for many of their models and are based on similar underpinnings.

Although the Kia Carens is a good value-for-money proposition, the Hyundai Alcazar has many best-in-class segment features that justify its higher cost. The Kia Carens can best be described as a cross between an MPV and an SUV, with a premium interior. The Alcazar and Carens both sell well on a monthly basis due to their trusted brand value and loaded feature list.

Kia Carens vs Hyundai Alcazar: Engine specifications

The Kia Carens borrows its powertrain options directly from the Kia Seltos on which it is based. What you get is a 1.5-litre petrol, a 1.5-litre diesel or a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol. The 1.5-litre petrol produces a maximum power output of 113 bhp and 144 Nm of torque with a 6-speed manual transmission. The 1.5-litre diesel mill produces 113 bhp and 250 Nm of torque with the option of either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic (torque converter) transmission. The 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine makes 138 bhp and 242 Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT unit. The Caren’s powertrains are quiet and refined and NVH levels are very low even at high speed. They are eager to perform, pushing the driver to be overzealous with the throttle, which they respond to with pleasure. The 1.4-litre turbo petrol is the engine option to choose if you are looking for good performance.

There are only 2 engine options for the Hyundai Alcazar, a 2.0-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre CRDi diesel with 2 gearboxes to choose from, a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. The petrol engine produces a maximum power output of 156 bhp at 6,500 rpm and 191 Nm of peak torque at 4,500 rpm. The diesel engine produces less power at 113 bhp @ 4,000 rpm, but more torque at 250 Nm @ 1,500 – 2,750 rpm. The diesel engine is a bit of an underperformer that struggles to push the Alcazar’s weight around town. Hyundai has worked on the gear ratios to compensate for the lack of power but the engine is lacklustre when the situation warrants more performance. The automatic torque converter transmission works well with the drivetrain, delivering smooth and slick operation. Specifications are just about adequate for city driving and occasional highway travel.

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Carens vs Alcazar: Exterior design

Kia is known for giving us sporty designs, but with the Carens, it is more of a futuristic look with sleek lines that catch your attention. It doesn’t have wide appeal from all audiences but the signature Kia grille has given way to slim headlights that seem to have been squeezed between the bonnet and bumper. The Carens gets flared wheel arches on its long MPV-like body. The rear end gets a similar chrome treatment with thin rear LED headlamps. The Carens features a soft ride that is tuned for comfort. The advanced McPherson struts up front do a great job of absorbing bumps and keeping this MPV / SUV planted through corners. Steering is light but could do better with more responsiveness.

The large exterior dimensions of the Hyundai Alcazar lend it a spacious cabin without looking too bulky around the edges. In fact, it carries its weight gracefully without any hints of its stretched platform. The front end is dominated by the signature Hyundai cascading grille and LED headlights that integrate with DRL and fog lamps. The Alcazar gets side steps to help passengers enter and exit the cabin, with puddle lamps projecting the Hyundai logo. The rear looks sporty with twin chrome-tipped exhaust pipes. Driving dynamics accentuate some body roll through corners which is expected from an SUV of this size. Suspension is compliant with rough roads providing a stable ride.

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Hyundai Alcazar vs Kia Carens: Styling and interiors

The Hyundai Alcazar has a well-thought-through cabin, one that is made with fine materials and soft textures. It feels premium and refined for a Rs.15 lakh SUV with well-appointed controls, buttons, soft seats and hints of chrome to accentuate a luxurious interior. There are a lot of similarities to the Creta cabin with a distinct Alcazar flair, dual-tone dashboard and high-quality fit and finish. Some premium options include ventilated front seats, 64 colour ambient lighting, Bose surround sound stereo system and a large panoramic sunroof. The Alcazar gets a special electronic parking brake and smartphone wireless charging as added features.

The Kia Carens features a spacious interior with elements taken from the Seltos compact SUV. You can have the Carens in either 6- or 7-seater layout. A digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system are integrated into the dashboard. Front seats are comfortable offering plush support with the option of being ventilated. Legroom in the second row could have been better but there are roof-mounted AC vents to keep passengers cool on long rides during summer. Ingress and egress are not difficult due to the spacious cabin, even for tall passengers. There is sufficient cargo space with the third row folded down thanks to the high roof line and low loading lip.

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Kia Carens vs Hyundai Alcazar: Specifications, dimensions and features

The Kia Carens is priced at Rs.10 lakh (average ex-showroom) for the Premium 1.5 Petrol 7 STR variant and goes up to Rs.18 lakh (average ex-showroom) for the Luxury Plus 1.5 Diesel AT 7 STR. The Hyundai Alcazar starts off at Rs.15.89 lakh (average ex-showroom) for the Prestige Exe 7 STR 2.0 Petrol with prices going up to Rs.20.25 lakh (average ex-showroom) for the top-end diesel version.

Here is a look at a comparison between the Kia Carens vs Alcazar in terms of specifications, features, dimensions and capacity.

	Kia Carens 1.5 Petrol	Hyundai Alcazar 2.0 Petrol
Average ex-showroom price	Rs.10 lakh	Rs.15.89 lakh
Engine	1497 cc, 4 cylinders	1999 cc, 4 cylinders
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Max Power (bhp@rpm)	113 bhp @ 6,300 rpm	157 bhp @ 6,500 rpm
Max Torque (Nm@rpm)	144 Nm @ 4,500 rpm	191 Nm @ 4,500 rpm
Fuel Economy	15.7 kmpl	14.5 kmpl
Drivetrain	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Transmission	6-Speed Manual	6-Speed Manual
Emission Standard	BS6	BS6
Height	1708 mm	1675 mm
Length	4540 mm	4500 mm
Width	1800 mm	1790 mm
Wheelbase	2780 mm	2760 mm
Ground Clearance	195 mm	200 mm
Seating Capacity	7 Persons	7 Persons
No. of seating rows	3 rows	3 rows
Boot space	216 litres	180 litres
Fuel Tank	45 litres	50 litres
Front Suspension	McPherson Strut / Coil Spring	McPherson Strut / Coil Spring
Rear Suspension	Torsion Beam Axle / Coil Spring	Torsion Beam Axle / Coil Spring
Front Brake	Disc	Disc
Rear Brake	Disc	Disc
Steering Type	Electric - power assisted steering	Electric- power assisted steering
Wheels	Steel	Steel
Front Tyres	195 / 65 R15	215 / 60 R17
Rear Tyres	195 / 65 R15	215 / 60 R17
Overspeed Warning	Yes	Yes
Emergency Brake Light	No	Yes
Airbags	6 Airbags	2 Airbags
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System	Yes	Yes
Seat Belt Warning	Yes	Yes
ABS	Yes	Yes
EBD	Yes	Yes
Brake Assist	Yes	No
Electronic Stability Control	Yes	Yes
Hill Descent Control	Yes	No
Air Conditioner	Yes, Manual	Yes, Automatic Climate Control
Rear AC vents	Blower, roof vents	Blower, vents behind armrest
Parking Assist	No	Reverse Camera
Parking Sensors	Rear	Rear
Cruise Control	No	Yes
Steering Adjustment	Tilt	Tilt / Telescopic
12 Volt Power Outlets	Yes	Yes
Telematics	No	Yes (Find my car, vehicle status, geo-fence, emergency call, OTA updates, remote control via app)
Driver seat adjustment	8 way adjustable	8 way adjustable
Front passenger seat adjustment	6 way adjustable	6 way adjustable
Seat Upholstery	Fabric and leatherette	Fabric
Sunroof	No	Panoramic sunroof
Roof mounted antenna	Yes	Yes
Headlights	Halogen	LED
Tail lights	Halogen	LED
DRLs	No	LED
Fog Lights	No	LED
Ambient Interior Lighting	No	Yes
Instrument Cluster	Digital	Analogue / Digital
Smart Infotainment Connectivity	No	Android Auto / Apple CarPlay (Wired)
Display	LCD	Touch-screen
Battery Warranty	No	No
Warranty (years)	3 years	3 years
Warranty (kilometres)	Unlimited	Unlimited

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Pros and Cons of the Kia Carens

The Kia Carens has advantages in its affordable pricing and good road manners. It is a spacious 7-seater with an attention-catching exterior, unlike most car designs we see on the road today. Here are some pros and cons of the Kia Carens SUV.

Pros

• Light controls are easy to use around the city and make driving through traffic a breeze. The automatic gearbox works seamlessly and offers good fuel economy in Eco mode.
• Spacious interiors with 3 rows offer plenty of room for passengers. Seats provide good support and the third row has enough legroom for adults.
• Suspension is well sorted and the Carens remains stable over bumpy roads. Driving dynamics are pleasing on the highway as well as in urban settings.
• Wide viewing angle for the driver due to large windows and a tall seating position. Even though the Carens is a large SUV, it is easy to manoeuvre.
• Engine is powerful and refined while brakes are well calibrated for a progressive stopping feel.

Cons

• Styling, although new age and futuristic, does not have mass appeal. It could be described as outlandish to some.
• With a length of 4540 mm, the Carens is a large SUV that you may struggle to fit in a tight parking spot.
• Steering needs to be more responsive and have a natural feel. There is not enough feedback from the control while driving.

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Pros and Cons of the Hyundai Alcazar

The Hyundai Alcazar is based on the Kia Carens but has a totally different design and interior. It is also feature-rich with premium materials to give passengers a luxurious experience.

Let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of the Hyundai Alcazar.

Pros

• The third row of seats makes the Alcazar a practical and spacious large SUV for the family. Boot space is adequate to store lots of luggage on a road trip.
• There are several engine and transmission options to choose from, at different price points.
• Good ground clearance is an advantage on broken tarmac and rough roads.
• Plenty of features and tech to keep passengers comfortable and entertained.
• The interior has an upmarket feel thanks to the choice of premium materials and elegant designs.

Cons

• The engine is somewhat lacking in punch and you will be left wanting for more performance in some situations.
• Seats could do with some more support and comfort. Rivals such as the Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari offer better ergonomics and space, especially in the third row.
• The Alcazar misses out on a turbocharged petrol engine that is available on the smaller Creta. This would have added more appeal to the Alcazar.

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Conclusion

Alternatives to the Kia Carens vs Alcazar battle include the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Toyota Innova Crysta and the Mahindra XUV700. However, the Kia Carens does well in the Rs.10 lakh segment by offering much more value for the price you pay. New age exterior design, combined with extensive features will keep the Carens relevant in this segment for a long time. It also has a wide range of powertrain options that are fuel-efficient and good performers. Buyers will be inclined towards the Carens for its high levels of practicality and the success Kia has garnered from the high selling Seltos SUV.

The Hyundai Alcazar makes a great family car and benefits from the brand value and trust that owners swear by. Yes, the diesel engine could do with some more punch, but the overall package provides comfortable driving and a premium feel, which some of its competitors like the MG Hector and Tata Safari fall short on. The Alcazar is an all-rounder that should catch the attention of buyers looking for a full-size SUV for the family.

Have a look at some more interesting articles on the Carorbis blog such as the 5 Best Modified Cars In India and Kia Carens Prestige Vs Ertiga ZXI.