Hyundai has added a new Lounge Edition to three of its SUVs, the Creta, Alcazar and Creta Electric. The common theme is rear-seat entertainment and a more distinctive cabin, but the Alcazar gets the biggest functional change of the lot: the three-row SUV becomes a five-seater in Lounge Edition form.
Prices start at Rs 19.21 lakh for the Creta Lounge Edition, while the Alcazar Lounge Edition starts at Rs 21.80 lakh. The Creta Electric Lounge Edition is the most expensive, with prices beginning at Rs 24.34 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom.
The centrepiece of all three Lounge Editions is a 29.46cm, or 11.6-inch, rear-seat entertainment screen. It can be used for OTT video streaming, games and apps from a certified app store, and it also supports phone mirroring.
Hyundai has paired the system with the Bose eight-speaker audio setup already offered on the relevant higher variants. The cabin also gets a Lounge-specific treatment with silver-coloured inserts, a different seat pattern, Moonwhite ambient lighting and cushions on the rear headrests carrying Lounge branding.
The exterior treatment is similar across the three SUVs. Golden Bronze is offered as a new colour, while several exterior parts are finished in black. The Creta and Alcazar get 18-inch black alloy wheels, while the Creta Electric uses 17-inch black aero wheels.
The Creta Lounge Edition is based on the King trim and is restricted to automatic powertrains. It can be had with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and iVT automatic gearbox, or the 1.5-litre diesel with a six-speed automatic.
The Creta Lounge range costs between Rs 19.21 lakh and Rs 20.45 lakh. Apart from the cabin changes, Hyundai has blacked out the front and rear skid plates, side-sill garnish, rear spoiler, roof rails, C-pillar garnish and outside mirrors.
There is no mechanical change to either engine. This is essentially a feature and styling package for customers choosing higher Creta variants, with most of the added spend going towards the rear-seat screen and cosmetic treatment.
The Alcazar Lounge Edition takes a different route. It is based on the Signature variant, comes only with the 1.5-litre diesel and automatic gearbox, and uses a five-seat layout instead of the standard Alcazar’s six- or seven-seat configurations.
That makes it a much more specific derivative. The Alcazar is normally bought for its third row, but this version gives that up and concentrates on the second-row experience. Hyundai also includes the voice-enabled panoramic sunroof along with the Lounge interior and rear entertainment system.
Prices range from Rs 21.80 lakh to Rs 21.95 lakh. The black exterior treatment and 18-inch wheels are similar to those on the Creta Lounge.
The Creta Electric Lounge Edition is based on the Excellence Long Range variant with the Home Charger option. Its price range is Rs 24.34 lakh to Rs 25.22 lakh. It carries over the 11.6-inch rear entertainment display and Lounge cabin theme, but Hyundai also adds a dashcam and a wireless charger for rear passengers. Outside, it gets the Golden Bronze option, black detailing and 17-inch aero alloy wheels.
The Lounge Editions do not alter the engines, battery or performance of the three SUVs. Their appeal rests on whether the added rear-seat equipment is useful enough to justify moving into these already high-spec variants. The Alcazar is the one that changes character most clearly because removing the third row turns it from a conventional family three-row SUV into a five-seat, rear-seat-focused version.