Hyundai Creta Is Going To Face Massive Competition From 15 New SUVs
Compact SUVs enjoy huge acceptance in the Indian market. The Hyundai Creta has been the crowd favourite in the segment. It has been consistently winning the sales battle, with its wide appeal and good value proposition. At present, Hyundai offers a range of powertrains on the Creta- from diesel to turbocharged petrols and electric, you have a lot to choose from. The ex-showroom prices of the petrol/diesel variants fall in the range of Rs 11.10 lakh-20.91 lakh (for the King edition). The EV starts at Rs 17.99 lakh and goes up to Rs 24.37 lakh, both ex-showroom.
In the next few months, the Creta will face more heat, as a slew of new models are being readied by different manufacturers, to compete with it in the C-segment. These include Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) models, hybrids, and even battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Here are 15 such cars, which will soon make the fight tougher for Creta.
New Kia Seltos
The Seltos could be called the most obvious rival of the Creta. The two SUVs share the same underpinnings and have similar equipment levels. The Seltos was Kia’s first runaway success in the Indian market, and continues to have a strong foot in the segment. Kia India is known to be working on a generational update to the SUV, which will bring a more appealing design, more features, and even key powertrain upgrades to the table.
The next generation Seltos will have a strong hybrid version (powered by a new 1.6-litre GDi hybrid engine) as well. Test mule sightings point at comprehensive changes in design and dimensions. The upcoming SUV will be larger than the outgoing model and will have a fresh take on design. Inside, a new layout and more features are expected. Kia is also likely to bring an all-electric version of the vehicle in the future. The lauch is expected in 2026 and the Creta will then have to catch up, to stay relevant in the race.
Harrier Petrol
At present, the Harrier is available only with a diesel engine. Tata Motors, however, is developing a new direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine, which will be introduced on models including the Harrier, next year. This means that the carmaker will be able to bring down the entry prices of the SUV. Now, it starts at Rs 14.99 lakh ex-showroom. The 1.5L engine will help Tata position the Harrier against the higher variants of Creta. The petrol Harrier will also benefit from the segment’s general affinity for petrol versions.
Tata Sierra
Tata will soon resurrect the legendary Sierra nameplate. Upon its return, the Sierra will have both ICE and EV versions. It is, in fact, a direct rival to the Creta, comparable on most fronts, including the dimensions and feature list. The ICE version will borrow its diesel engine from the Harrier- the Stellantis-sourced 2.0L diesel, and will also offer the new 1.5 turbo-petrol.
The EV is likely to feature the same powertrains as the Harrier. EV. The ICE and EV forms of the Sierra will compete with the corresponding versions of the Creta. From what we know yet, the Sierra would give the Korean a stronger fight than the petrol-powered Harrier.
BYD Atto 2
BYD will soon launch the Atto 2 electric SUV in India, which will battle the Creta Electric here. The Atto 3 is familiar to most Indian EV buyers, and is often appreciated for its futuristic design, smart packaging and the capable electric powertrain that doesn’t fail to deliver on the range claims. The Atto 2 will sit below this model, essentially being the brand’s much-awaited mass market C-SUV model.
It will take several of its design cues from the Atto 3 and will likely come with the same battery packs and specifications as the model that is now sold abroad. If so, expect 65 kWh and 51.1kWh battery packs. The range figures could be around 420km and 345km per charge. The cabin will look familiar to Atto 3 users, and the equipment array is expected to be competitive. The carmaker has already begun testing the EV in India.
Maruti Victoris
Today, Maruti will launch its much awaited C-segment SUV- the Victoris, in India. This will be sold through Arena dealerships, and will become its flagship when launched. On the carmaker’s lineup, it will slot between the Brezza and the Grand Vitara. It will also be offered with the familiar K15 naturally aspirated mild-hybrid petrol, 1.5 strong hybrid petrol, and CNG engines. Both manual and automatic transmission options will be available.
The Victoris will borrow several of its design cues and all of its powertrains from the Grand Vitara. We expect the cabin to have a futuristic design and come with competitive equipment levels. Several ‘Maruti-first’ features like powered tailgate, level 2 ADAS, and Dolby Atmos will be present on the new SUV. From what we know yet, the Victoris will have enough to deliver a strong fight. It will likely be a bigger threat to Creta than the outgoing Grand Vitara, if Maruti manages to price it aggressively.
Toyota’s Version Of The Victoris
At the time of writing this article, it is unclear if Toyota will make a rebadged version of the Victoris. But it sure remains a strong probability. Such a move will enable Toyota to strengthen its presence in the C-segment, and to some extent, challenge the Creta.
Maruti eVitara
The eVitara is one of the most anticipated launches from Maruti Suzuki. It was showcased at the Auto Expo this year and will become the carmaker’s first EV offering in India when launched. It is expected to come with two battery options- 49kWh and 61kWh. The larger will be able to deliver a range of over 500 km per charge.
The front axle-mounted electric motor will be able to generate 173 hp and 192.5Nm of torque. If priced well, the eVitara could fairly unsettle the Creta Electric’s market share. Also, Suzuki sells an All Wheel Drive (AWD) version of this e-SUV abroad, which if brought to India, will give it a clear upper hand over the Creta EV, which continues to be a FWD offering.
Mahindra Bolero (Vision S)
Mahindra is working on a major generational update of the iconic Bolero SUV. Almost every aspect of the vehicle will see complete overhauls. The new Bolero will be underpinned by the company’s newly developed Nu_IQ platform. This monocoque architecture will bring about major improvements in the characteristics of the new Bolero. Mahindra has lately been conducting the road trials of the vehicle.
On the design front, the new Bolero is likely to borrow heavily from the Vision S concept showcased in August. If things go as planned, the production form of this SUV will deliver breathtaking duels with the mid-variants of the Korean SUV.
Honda Elevate Hybrid
Representational image
Honda hasn’t been bullish with product launches in recent past. In the compact SUV segment, they have the Elevate, which was launched in 2023. It isn’t really a crowd puller, but packs ample value for its price. The carmaker is now considering a strong hybrid version of the Elevate for the Indian market, which would most likely use the same 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle hybrid engine as the City e:HEV.
If packaged well, this SUV will be able to challenge the petrol version of the Creta, which as of now, has no known plans of rolling out a hybrid anytime soon. The Elevate hybrid is expected to be out next year.
Renault Duster
Renault has confirmed its intentions to bring back the legendary ‘Duster’ nameplate, and launch the latest generation of the SUV here. Back when it was on sale here, the Duster used to give the Creta a tough fight. The same could repeat as the new-generation SUV (sold abroad) comes with all the bells and whistles.
Along with small capacity petrol engines, the new Duster will likely have a hybrid powertrain as well. If Renault doesn’t try to strip it down for India, the Duster will be a strong Creta rival.
Nissan’s Rebadged Duster
Nissan has announced its intention to launch a new C-segment SUV, which will likely be a rebadged version of the upcoming Duster. It will have the same underpinnings and powertrains as the Renault product, but will feature a design that completely aligns with Nissan’s styling principles. The carmaker could directly target Creta by giving this vehicle a proper positioning in the segment.
Skoda Kushaq Facelift
The Kushaq, one of the three MQB A0 IN-based SUVs, is due for a major update. The facelift, expected to be out in 2026, will bring significant changes to the vehicle, making it more relevant and attractive. The new SUV will get some restyling and more equipment inside its cabin. The engine- 1.0TSI turbocharged petrol and 1.5TSI turbo-petrol, will be carried over to the facelift as well. The Kushaq- Creta fight will become stronger once the update rolls out.
Volkswagen Taigun Facelift
Volkswagen will also launch a facelift of the Taigun SUV in the future, with changes identical to those found on the facelifted Kushaq. The powertrain front will likely be left untouched on the new SUV.
MG S5 (Creta EV)
In the coming months, Morris Garages (MG) India will replace the ZS EV with a new electric vehicle called the S5. Time remains before we learn the actual specifications of the India-bound model. In global markets, the S5 EV offer multiple powertrains, including a 61.8 kWh battery pack with 450 km of claimed range. This is an upgrade compared to the outgoing ZS EV’s 50.3 kWh unit. The S5 recently made headlines by scoring five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests.
When launched in India, the S5 EV will have the Creta Electric and Maruti eVitara as its key rivals. The pricing will be critical in defining its success here.
Vinfast VF6
Vinfast will launch its first two products for the Indian market- the VF6 and VF7 electric SUVs on September 6, 2025. The Vf6 will a compact electric SUV, which will compete with the Creta Electric when launched. The company is likely to give it a competitive pricing as well.
The VF6 will come in two variant- Earth and Wind, and have six colours on offer. It will be powered by a 59.6kWh battery pack and will have a front-axle-mounted electric motor. This unit will be able to generate 204 hp- the highest in its segment and a clear upper hand over the Creta Electric’s 170 hp. The VF6 further has a WLTP range of 480 km per charge, slightly higher than the Creta EV’s 473 km.