Hyundai Alcazar DCT: Cruising Delhi to Jaipur on the Fresh Expressway
Hey folks, if you’re weighing a family road trip over a quick flight, let me tell you—picking the Hyundai Alcazar turbo-petrol DCT for a Delhi-Jaipur jaunt was one of my smarter calls this year. With the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway’s new stretches opening up, what used to drag on for four-plus hours now zips by in under three, and this seven-seater made every mile feel like a breeze. I grabbed the Signature trim last month, clocking around Rs 22 lakh on-road in Delhi after the GST tweaks, and headed out from Noida on a sunny Saturday morning.
Kicking off at 10:40 AM, the first hurdle was the usual Delhi crawl—45 minutes just to clear the Kalindi Kunj bridge amid honks and hybrids. But once you veer left onto the DND-KMP link (NH-148NA), it’s smooth sailing. The expressway’s wide lanes and light traffic let the Alcazar stretch its legs right away. That 1.5-litre turbo-petrol mill dishes out 158 bhp and 253 Nm, paired with the seven-speed DCT that shifts quick and clean—no jerky low-speed nonsense, just seamless pulls for overtakes. Cruising at 100 kmph felt planted, with the suspension soaking up the occasional rut without that floaty SUV bob. I hit Jaipur by 1:30 PM, averaging about 110 kmph on the open bits, and the trip odometer read 245 km total—fuel stop included, I squeezed 17 kmpl out of it, solid for a loaded hauler.
Inside, it’s where the Alcazar shines for long hauls. The cabin’s a tech haven: dual 10.25-inch screens for nav and tunes, ventilated seats up front (a godsend in that Rajasthan heat), and captain’s chairs in the second row with enough legroom for my 6-foot buddy to nap without complaint. The third row’s snug for adults on short stints—fine for kids or emergencies—but fold it flat for luggage, and you’ve got space for weekend gear. Boss mode for the rear passenger? Handy for handing over the tablet to the little one mid-drive. And the Bose audio kept the playlist bumping without drowning out the road hum.
Pulling into Jaipur, the Hawa Mahal loomed like a pink postcard, and after some kachori-fueled exploring, crashing at a heritage spot felt earned. Next morning, the return leg was even easier—DCT aced the Delhi snarl, keeping things relaxed after 500 km round-trip. No fatigue, just that quiet confidence from the ADAS suite: adaptive cruise held steady in sparse traffic, and lane keep nudged gently on straights.
Sure, the third row could use more elbow room, and it’s no off-roader, but for expressway family runs, the Alcazar DCT nails the balance of pep, plushness, and price. Against the XUV700 or Innova, it edges on gadgets without the thirst. If you’re plotting a similar escape, this one’s a keeper—beats airport lines any day. What’s your fave road trip rig? Share below.