Hyundai ALCAZAR vs Honda HR-V

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Hyundai ALCAZAR in South Africa

Hyundai ALCAZAR

1.5D Elite AT Diesel Automatic
ZAR 669,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 85 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 5.9 km/l
VS
Honda HR-V in South Africa

Honda HR-V

1.5 Elegance CVT Petrol Automatic
ZAR 529,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 119 kW 🔧 145 Nm ⛽ 16.0 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance ALCAZAR
Fuel Economy HR-V
🛡 Safety HR-V
📦 Practicality ALCAZAR
🔑 Ownership ALCAZAR
HR-V starts ZAR 499900 cheaper ALCAZAR from ZAR 499,900 · HR-V from ZAR 489,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec ALCAZAR HR-V
Engine Power 85 119
Torque 250 145
Engine Size 1493 1498
Claimed Mileage 5.9 16.0
Ground Clearance 200 mm 196
Boot Space 180 437
Airbags Not Available 6
Kerb Weight Not Applicable 1360
Seating Capacity 7 5
Warranty 5 3

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

HR-V holds a noticeable edge over ALCAZAR, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance ALCAZAR +3 pts
Efficiency HR-V +29 pts
Safety HR-V +64 pts
Practicality ALCAZAR +1 pts
Ownership ALCAZAR +14 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

ALCAZAR

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • More practical for daily use
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
Best suited to: Highway Driving Family Usage
🏆 Overall Winner

HR-V

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Less practical in daily usage
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

ALCAZAR

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

HR-V

  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec ALCAZAR HR-V
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed 2022
Generation Current South African ALCAZAR listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data. Built on Honda’s global compact SUV platform with improved safety and comfort
Facelift History Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle. New generation introduced with updated design and improved features
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Seven-seat SUV SUV
Color Note Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering. White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published published
Segment SUV SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec ALCAZAR HR-V
Ground Clearance 200 mm 196 mm
Wheelbase 2760 mm 2610 mm
Length 4560 mm 4340 mm
Width 1800 mm 1790 mm
Height 1710 mm 1590 mm
Kerb Weight Not Applicable 1360 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight Not Applicable 1780 kg
Seating Capacity 7 5
Boot Space 180 l 437 l
Towing Capacity Not Applicable 1200 kg
Front Track Width Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Track Width Not Applicable Not Applicable
Turning Radius Not Applicable Not Applicable
Load Bed Length Not Applicable Not Applicable
Load Bed Width Not Applicable Not Applicable
Front Legroom Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Legroom Not Applicable Not Applicable
Front Headroom Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Headroom Not Applicable Not Applicable
Front Shoulder Room Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room Not Applicable Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded 180 l 437 l
Number of Doors 5 5
Max Payload Not Applicable Not Applicable
Boot Volume 180 l 437 l
Doors 5 5
Seats 7 5
Fuel Tank Capacity 50 l 40 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg Not Applicable 1780 kg
Ground Clearance Max 200 mm 196 mm
Ground Clearance Min 200 mm 196 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 200 mm 196 mm
Height Mm 1710 mm 1590 mm
Length Mm 4560 mm 4340 mm
Loadbox Length Mm Not Applicable Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm Not Applicable Not Applicable
Payload Kg Not Applicable Not Applicable
Cargo Volume 180 l 437 l
Tare Mass Kg Not Applicable 1360 kg
Turning Circle Not Applicable Not Applicable
Turning Circle M Not Applicable Not Applicable
Width Mm 1800 mm 1790 mm

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

HR-V leads by 16 points

HR-V holds a noticeable edge over ALCAZAR, especially in key ownership areas.

Winner 62 /100
Lead 16 points
Data 95% confidence
62
#1 Winner

HR-V

95% data confidence 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Performance 41
Performance 41
Efficiency 62
Safety 92
Practicality 63
Ownership 51
Leads by 16 points
46
#2

ALCAZAR

76% data confidence 0 strong categories
Best at Ownership 65 Check Safety 28
Performance 44
Efficiency 33
Safety 28
Practicality 64
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance ALCAZAR +3 Efficiency HR-V +29 Safety HR-V +64 Practicality ALCAZAR +1 Ownership ALCAZAR +14

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

HR-V

Performance 41/100
Efficiency 62/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 63/100
Ownership 51/100

ALCAZAR

Performance 44/100
Efficiency 33/100
Safety 28/100
Practicality 64/100
Ownership 65/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Honda HR-V wins with 62 pts vs 46 pts for ALCAZAR

In structured scoring, HR-V emerges as the stronger overall package. However, ALCAZAR may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the HR-V edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: ALCAZAR 33 vs HR-V 62. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: ALCAZAR 28, HR-V 92. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: ALCAZAR 65, HR-V 51. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: ALCAZAR 64, HR-V 63. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: ALCAZAR 44, HR-V 41. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The HR-V edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The HR-V scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between ALCAZAR and HR-V in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: ALCAZAR scores 44 vs 41.

Efficiency: ALCAZAR scores 33 vs 62.

Safety: ALCAZAR scores 28 vs 92.

Practicality: ALCAZAR scores 64 vs 63.

Ownership: ALCAZAR scores 65 vs 51.

Final structured scoring gives HR-V the advantage in this comparison.