The Hyundai Creta’s dominance in India’s midsize SUV segment faces its biggest challenge yet, with five compelling new rivals launching through 2025-26 that could reshape buyer preferences entirely.
Look, the Creta has been absolutely crushing it in India’s midsize SUV space for what feels like forever now. I mean, we’re talking about 18,000+ units flying off showroom floors just in March 2025 alone—that’s some serious numbers right there. But here’s the thing: the game’s about to change in a big way. Several carmakers are rolling up their sleeves, ready to take on Hyundai’s golden boy with some genuinely exciting new offerings. If you’re planning to buy a Creta anytime soon, you might want to hold your horses for a bit.
Tata Sierra: The Nostalgic Comeback Kid
Now this is what I call a proper comeback story. The Tata Sierra is making its grand return in the second half of 2025, and honestly, it’s got me pretty excited. We’re looking at a starting price of around ₹10.50 lakh, which isn’t too shabby considering what’s on offer.
Here’s where it gets interesting—Tata’s stuffing a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol under the hood that churns out 168 horses and 280 Nm of twist. That’s proper grunt for a midsize SUV. But wait, there’s more. They’re promising diesel and electric variants too, with the EV potentially offering around 500km of range. If they pull that off, it could be a proper game-changer.
The feature list reads like a wish list—12.3-inch infotainment, 10.25-inch digital cluster, panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, the works. Safety-wise, they’re not messing around either with ADAS, six airbags, and electronic stability control coming standard. It’s like Tata looked at the Creta and said, “Hold my chai.”
Maruti e Vitara: The Electric Game Changer
September 2025 can’t come soon enough for the e Vitara. This is Maruti’s first proper electric SUV, and they’re pricing it between ₹17-22.50 lakh. Yeah, it’s pricier than the Creta, but remember, this is an EV we’re talking about.
The battery options are pretty clever—you get a 49 kWh pack for over 500km range, or go big with the 61 kWh unit. Power varies from 142 to 174 bhp depending on what you pick. The feature list is solid too: 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, panoramic sunroof, and Level 2 ADAS.
What I really like about Maruti’s approach is they’re not trying to reinvent the wheel. They know their strengths—reliability and that massive service network—and they’re building on that foundation.
Renault Duster: The Phoenix Rises
Remember the old Duster? Well, forget everything you knew because the third-generation is coming back swinging in June 2026, starting at around ₹10 lakh. This time, Renault’s really thought things through.
The powertrain lineup is where things get spicy. You’ve got a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol with 48V mild hybrid pushing out 130 horses, a 1.6-litre strong hybrid setup with 140 horses, and even a 1.0-litre petrol-LPG variant with AWD. That hybrid tech could seriously shake up the fuel efficiency game.
Built on the CMF-A platform (same as Nissan), this new Duster should feel way more premium than the old one. Features include a 10.1-inch touchscreen, 7-inch digital display, and ADAS. It’s like Renault finally listened to all our complaints about the previous model.
Nissan’s Mystery Midsize SUV
Nissan’s being all mysterious about their upcoming midsize SUV, but what we know sounds promising. Expected by end of 2025, it’ll pack a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol with 154 hp and 250 Nm, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch auto.
The CMF-A platform sharing with the Duster should help keep costs in check while bumping up the quality. Being made in Chennai is good news for pricing and service support too.
Read Also: Mahindra Scorpio N Gets 10 New ADAS Features in 2025 Update
New-Generation Kia Seltos
The next-gen Seltos is coming in early 2026, and given how the current one has been breathing down the Creta’s neck, this could be the real deal-breaker. While Kia’s keeping details under wraps, expect them to go all-out with premium features, better build quality, and possibly some hybrid magic.
Price Comparison and Market Impact
| SUV | Expected Price Range | Launch Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Tata Sierra | ₹10.50 lakh onwards | H2 2025 |
| Maruti e Vitara | ₹17-22.50 lakh | September 2025 |
| Renault Duster | ₹10 lakh onwards | June 2026 |
| Nissan Midsize SUV | TBA | End 2025 |
| New Kia Seltos | TBA | Early 2026 |
Should You Wait?
Here’s the million-rupee question, right? If you absolutely need a car right now, the Creta’s still a solid bet—there’s a reason it’s been selling like hotcakes. But if you can hold off for 6-18 months, man, you’re in for some treats.
The Sierra’s looking like a proper all-rounder with those multiple powertrain options. The e Vitara could be your ticket to the EV club without the usual compromises. And that new Duster? It might just bring back the European flair we’ve been missing.
Bottom line: the midsize SUV space is about to get a whole lot more crowded, and that’s fantastic news for us buyers. The Creta’s had a good run, but competition breeds innovation, and we’re all going to benefit from this upcoming battle royale.