KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The base Alcazar 'Executive' is priced at Rs 15.99 lakh.
- The base Safari Smart persona undercuts the Alcazar diesel marginally
- Both cars receive no smartphone connectivity in their base guise!
- The Safari is larger in terms of dimensions
- The Alcazar offers a better aftersales experience
The 2024 Hyundai Alcazar has finally arrived, and it also brings forward a lot of questions. If you're in the three-row SUV segment, should you buy the new Alcazar, and why? After all, it is smaller and less powerful than, say something like a Tata Safari. But, is size really all that matters when it comes to three-row SUVs?
To find the answer, we are putting together the base variants of the new Alcazar and the Safari, to see how they stack up against each other and which one offers better value. Why the base variants, you ask? Because they are available at rather attractive price points, and buyers of mid-size SUVs might just deviate and also consider these options.
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2024 Hyundai Alcazar Vs Tata Safari: Under The Hood
It is important to note that the Safari is available only with a diesel powertrain, while the Alcazar offers you petrol and diesel both, with manual and automatic options. Hence, for the sake of this comparison, we shall stick with the diesel powertrains.
The new Alcazar continues with the familiar 1.5-litre diesel unit producing 113bhp and 250Nm of torque, paired to either a 6-speed manual or an automatic gearbox. Meanwhile, the Safari gets a larger 2.0-litre mill with 167bhp and 350Nm of torque, also paired to either a 6-speed manual or an automatic gearbox. Needless to say, the base variants of both cars offer a manual transmission only.
Also read: 2024 Hyundai Alcazar Vs Rivals: Detailed Comparison
2024 Hyundai Alcazar Vs Tata Safari: Covering Bases
The 2024 Hyundai Alcazar diesel lineup starts from the Executive 7-seater trim, which is priced at Rs 15.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Meanwhile, the Tata Safari is marginally cheaper at Rs 15.49 lakh (ex-showroom), for the base Smart persona.
2024 Hyundai Alcazar Vs Tata Safari: Interiors and Features
The interiors of both cars feature similar interior layouts compared to their smaller mid-size siblings. However, given that these are the base variants, there will be a few things missing. The Alcazar Executive 7-seater trim comes with a smart key, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, rear sun-blinds, cruise control, powered ORVMs, rear A/C vents, powered tailgate, connected lights at both ends, a cooled glovebox, start/stop system, automatic headlamps with follow-me function, UBS C-type charging ports, and a rear centre armrest.
Shockingly, the Alcazar Executive does not receive any sort of smartphone connectivity, and there's not even a basic screen to speak of. The driver does get a digital MID, but that's about it. However, in terms of safety, the Alcazar Executive does come equipped with ABS, seat belt reminders, ISOFIX child seat mounts, hill-start assist, corner stability control, emergency braking signal, rear parking sensors, a tyre pressure monitoring system and six airbags.
In its base smart trim, the Tata Safari too does not receive any infotainment screen or phone connectivity. In fact, there's no keyless system to speak of here as well! However, it does receive dual-zone climate control, rear A/C vents, traction control, rear parking sensors, hill-hold, ABS with EBD, 6 airbags, corner stability control, roll-over mitigation, height-adjustable seat belts, emergency braking signal, ISOFIX child seat mounts, A-type and C-type USB ports at the front, and the new illuminated logo steering wheel.
Also read: 2024 Hyundai Alcazar Variants Explained In Detail: Which One Suits You Best?
2024 Hyundai Alcazar Vs Tata Safari Dimensions
Surprisingly, the Safari has a smaller wheelbase compared to the Alcazar. The Safari's wheelbase measures 2741mm, while the Alcazar's is slightly longer at 2760mm. However, everywhere else, the Safari trumps the Alcazar in terms of dimensions, being longer, taller and wider, and thus not only giving it a more imposing stance, but also offering a roomier interior than the Alcazar. For reference, the Alcazar's LxWxH dimensions are 4560 x 1800 x 1710mm, while the Safari's are 4668 x 1922 x 1795mm.
That said, the 2024 Alcazar has grown in terms of size when you compare it to the outgoing model, and it remains to be seen how much of an improvement there is over the older car. Do stay tuned for our review on the new Alcazar; we'll be driving it soon!
Also read: Top 10 Selling Cars In India In August 2024: Nexon, Baleno, & More
2024 Hyundai Alcazar Vs Tata Safari: Who Wins?
Choosing between the base variants of the Alcazar and the Safari shouldn't be that difficult if you know what you're looking for. Neither car offers much in terms of novelty features in this trim. If you're someone who needs to carry seven people regularly, you'd want them to be as comfortable as possible, and that's where the Safari comes in.
The Safari's third-row is actually quite manageable, and in this base variant, you get a bench seat in the middle row, with a 60:40 split. This makes access to the third row easier, as the split part of the bench tumbles down easily.
The new Alcazar remains untested in this regard for now, but from experience, I can tell it wasn't easy entering the third row in the older model. Once there, it did not feel as roomy either.
The Safari also possesses incredible on-road manners as well; Tata has nailed it in terms of the chassis and suspension setup, and that 2.0-litre diesel engine has a great amount of punch all over. Thus, the Safari proves to be an effective highway tool, even with a full load.
The new Alcazar remains untested in this regard too, but from experience, it shouldn't be all that different from the older model. While the older car performed decently with 3 people and it offers a comfortable ride experience, it did feel sluggish and a little underpowered with a full-load of people and luggage.
That said, Hyundai's aftersales and service network remains unbeaten when you compare it against Tata, which seems to have its fair share of niggles crop up at times, and that will make your purchase decision either easier or tougher.
Verdict
While the base Tata Safari offers better performance, proven crash test ratings, larger dimensions, excellent on-road manners, the base Alcazar offers just a bit more in terms of creature comfort. The Alcazar also claws back with Hyundai's reliability and service network. If you are not going to use all three rows of seating on a daily basis, and you want to opt for a stress-free experience, the Alcazar diesel is the one to go for.
