Hyundai ALCAZAR vs Changan UNI-S

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 Current
ZAR 669,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 85 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
VS
Changan UNI-S in South Africa

Changan UNI-S

1.5T AT CE Petrol 7-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 469,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 138 kW 🔧 300 Nm ⛽ 14.49 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Hyundai ALCAZAR vs Changan UNI-S: the short answer

ALCAZAR and UNI-S are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

UNI-S starts ZAR 110,000 cheaper ALCAZAR from ZAR 499,900 · UNI-S from ZAR 389,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification ALCAZAR UNI-S
Maximum Power ALCAZAR85 kW UNI-S138 kW
Maximum Torque ALCAZAR250 Nm UNI-S300 Nm
Engine Size ALCAZAR1493 cc UNI-S1500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy ALCAZAR16.9 km/l UNI-S14.49 km/l
Ground Clearance ALCAZAR200 mm UNI-SNot Officially Disclosed

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

ALCAZAR

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

UNI-S

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

ALCAZAR

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

UNI-S

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec ALCAZAR UNI-S
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed 2026
Generation Current South African ALCAZAR listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data. First current South African UNI-S retail generation, offered in CS, CL and CE grades.
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. No South African facelift has been announced since the UNI-S entered local retail sale in 2026.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending Current Not Applicable
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. -
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published active
Segment SUV Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1445 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Passenger car
Spec ALCAZAR UNI-S
Length 4560 mm 4539 mm
Width 1800 mm 1865 mm
Height 1710 mm 1680 mm
Wheelbase 2760 mm 2656 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 50 l 51 l
Boot/Cargo Space 180 l 475 l
Kerb Weight 1445 kg 1505 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2090 kg 1825 kg
Payload Capacity 645 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity 7 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 167 mm
Towing Capacity - Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Minimum Turning Radius - 5.66 m
Front Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom - Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom - Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This ALCAZAR and UNI-S comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: ALCAZAR 44 vs UNI-S 59.

Efficiency index: ALCAZAR 68 vs UNI-S 55.

Safety-equipment index: ALCAZAR 89 vs UNI-S 92.

Practicality index: ALCAZAR 64 vs UNI-S 68.

Ownership-cover index: ALCAZAR 65 vs UNI-S not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

UNI-S leads by 3 points

ALCAZAR and UNI-S are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 69 /100
Lead 3 points
Data 67% source coverage
69
#1 Evidence leader

UNI-S

67% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Efficiency 55
Performance 59
Efficiency 55
Safety 92
Practicality 68
Leads by 3 points
66
#2

ALCAZAR

70% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 89 Check Performance 44
Performance 44
Efficiency 68
Safety 89
Practicality 64
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance UNI-S +15 Efficiency ALCAZAR +13 Safety UNI-S +3 Practicality UNI-S +4

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

UNI-S

Performance 59/100
Efficiency 55/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 68/100

ALCAZAR

Performance 44/100
Efficiency 68/100
Safety 89/100
Practicality 64/100
Ownership 65/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Changan UNI-S leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts vs 66 pts for ALCAZAR

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, UNI-S leads. However, ALCAZAR may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

ALCAZAR vs UNI-S questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.