Hyundai Creta Tops Sales Charts from January to July 2025, Surpassing All Other Cars In India

The Hyundai Creta has quietly pulled off a major feat. From January to July 2025, it became the highest-selling passenger vehicle across all segments, with 1,17,458 units sold. That includes hatchbacks, sedans, and even smaller, more affordable SUVs. This figure represents an 8 percent year-on-year growth over the same period in 2024, and places the Creta not just at the top of its class, but at the top of the entire passenger vehicle market.

This sales surge further reinforces the Creta’s dominance in India’s fiercely competitive mid-size SUV space. Creta is no longer just a segment leader. It has now become the market’s biggest volume driver, beating out traditionally high-volume compact cars in an increasingly SUV-focused market.

SUV Trends Drive Segment Shift

The Creta’s performance is no fluke. The Indian car market has been shifting steadily towards SUVs over the past five years. Buyers across price points now favour the taller stance, perceived safety, better road visibility, and versatility that SUVs offer. Within this context, the Creta has managed to offer a blend of premium features, multiple powertrain options, and a recognisable design that resonates with both first-time buyers and upgraders.

The facelift launched earlier in 2024 added even more to the package. With updated interiors, a new design language, Level 2 ADAS features, and the return of the turbo petrol engine, the refreshed Creta closed the gap between mainstream and premium. This helped it gain traction even among buyers considering entry-level variants of more expensive SUVs like the Jeep Compass or VW Tiguan.

What also helped is the wide powertrain choice: naturally aspirated petrol, turbo petrol, and diesel, with both manual and automatic options. Notably, Hyundai has retained its diesel offering in this segment at a time when several rivals are pulling out of the diesel space. This gives the Creta an advantage among highway users and long-distance commuters who still value diesel’s torque and efficiency.

Sales Leadership in a Crowded Market

Hyundai’s claim of Creta being the top-selling car across all passenger vehicle segments from January to July 2025 puts it ahead of mass-market hatchbacks and sedans like the Maruti WagonR, Dzire, Baleno, and Swift, which have traditionally held this position. It is also significant that the Creta’s volumes surpassed those of smaller and cheaper SUVs like the Tata Nexon and Maruti Brezza, both of which usually dominate sub-four-metre SUV sales.

This performance highlights a shift in buyer preference and also speaks to the maturity of the mid-size SUV space. Customers are now willing to stretch their budgets to get a better driving experience and premium features. In fact, mid-size SUVs like the Creta and the Grand Vitara have now become the de facto family cars in urban India.

Hyundai’s retail network and brand recognition have also played a key role. With over 1,500 sales and service touchpoints, consistent marketing, and an established reputation for after-sales service, Hyundai has ensured that the Creta is accessible and reassuring to customers across metros, tier 2, and even tier 3 towns.

Competition Heats Up but Creta Stays Ahead

The mid-size SUV segment has never been more crowded. Hyundai Creta faces strong competition from the likes of Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, and Honda Elevate. Each offers something unique: Seltos banks on style, Grand Vitara brings hybrid efficiency, and Taigun and Kushaq appeal to driving enthusiasts. Yet Creta continues to stay on top, thanks to its broad appeal.

There have been murmurs about value for money, with some rivals offering better standard equipment or hybrid tech at similar prices. But Hyundai seems to have struck the right balance between features, brand perception, and trust built over a decade.

Interestingly, Hyundai has not yet offered a strong hybrid variant for the Creta, even as market share for hybrids grows. This could change with the next generation, rumoured to arrive in 2026, potentially with hybrid or even electric options.