Hyundai's Creta holds lead, but rival engines roar louder

MID-SIZE SUV BATTLE HEATS UP

- AKBAR MERCHANT

THE HYUNDAI CRETA has retained its position at the top of the midsize SUV segment in 2025, but the model is now facing its most competitive phase since its debut a decade ago.

While sales momentum remains strong, a wave of new launches and major updates from rivals is intensifying pressure on the segment leader.

Between January and November 2025, the Creta averaged monthly sales of over 17,000 units, around 7% higher than the same period last year. Demand picked up further during the festive season, with October volumes crossing 18,000 units.

The Creta's sustained performance is on the back of a wide spread of powertrain options, an extensive feature list and strong brand recall. It also remains one of the few models in the segment to offer a diesel engine, which continues to draw interest. So far this year, petrol variants account for about 52% of Creta sales, while diesel contributes roughly 44%, reflecting balanced demand across fuel types.