Maruti Suzuki has finally wrested the top spot in the fiercely contested midsize SUV segment, ending nearly a decade-long dominance of Hyundai’s Creta, but the lead remains narrow and vulnerable as rivals line up fresh launches that could quickly alter the pecking order.
Sales data for September to December 2025 shows Maruti Suzuki selling a combined 72,310 units of its two midsize SUVs—the Victoris and the Grand Vitara—edging past Hyundai’s Creta. The Victoris accounted for 36,267 units during the four-month period, while the Grand Vitara added 36,043 units, giving the country’s largest carmaker its first clear leadership position in the segment.
However, the numbers also underline the limits of Maruti’s advantage.
The Creta alone sold 67,740 units in the same period, nearly matching the combined volumes of Maruti’s two models.
Volume Game
Analysts say this highlights the difference between winning on aggregate volumes and commanding the segment through a single blockbuster model. “Maruti has won the manufacturer battle, but the model battle still belongs to the Creta,” analysts tracking the segment said.
“The fact that Hyundai can come so close with just one product shows how entrenched the Creta remains.”
In the near term, Hyundai is unlikely to immediately reclaim the top spot, with the next-generation Creta expected only around Auto Expo 2027. The more immediate threat to Maruti’s position is emerging from Tata Motors and Kia India.
Tata’s newly launched Sierra has generated strong early momentum, clocking more than 70,000 confirmed bookings within 24 hours of opening orders on December 16. The vehicle has now started reaching dealerships, and if production scales smoothly, industry watchers believe the Sierra could disrupt the rankings as early as February.
Kia, meanwhile, has begun deliveries of the new Seltos. While official booking numbers have not been disclosed, dealers said demand has been robust, with waiting periods of up to three months for select variants. The strength of the Seltos brand is evident from the outgoing model’s performance, which recorded 23,620 units between September and December, significantly ahead of rivals such as the Honda Elevate.
Diesel Deficit
Fuel choice could also play a decisive role in the coming months. Diesel continues to dominate the midsize SUV segment, accounting for nearly half of all sales in models such as the Creta and Seltos. Around 55% of bookings for the new Sierra are for diesel variants. In contrast, Maruti Suzuki does not offer diesel engines in either the Victoris or the Grand Vitara, a gap that could push buyers toward competitors.
Maruti Suzuki executives have maintained confidence in their position. In September, Partho Banerjee, senior executive officer for marketing and sales, had said the company was on course to lead the segment. While that target has now been achieved, the advantage appears fragile.
From March onwards, the competitive heat is set to intensify further with Renault preparing to announce prices and begin deliveries of the new-generation Duster, unveiled earlier this month.
