The midsize SUV segment is the nucleus of the Indian mass market these days, with contenders from every major carmaker vying for a slice of the pie. While the concept of a monocoque-based SUV that strikes the right balance between size (above 4 metres) and daily usability was birthed by the Renault Duster, it was the Hyundai Creta that ended up being the most seminal model for the segment, as well as the current state of the Indian mass market. With the Creta having been on sale for a full decade, let’s take a look back at how the midsize SUV has evolved over the years.
First-gen Hyundai Creta (2015-2020)
Did virtually everything right and instantly became a fan-favourite
Hyundai launched the first-generation Creta in India on July 21, 2015, with prices ranging from Rs 8.59 lakh to Rs 13.60 lakh. The Creta became an immediate runaway success thanks to its compelling pricing, appealing design, spacious interiors, loaded feature list, excellent low-speed ride comfort, and decent variety of powertrains – one petrol and two diesel engines.
Additionally, the Creta’s healthy 190mm ground clearance made it a worthwhile upgrade for sedan owners looking to transition to another body style – one that’s better-suited to India’s pockmarked roads, but still easy to drive in most conditions. A special mention must be made for the Creta’s expansive feature list (at the time), too, which included a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, leather upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels, six airbags, push-button start, rear AC vents, steering-mounted audio controls, and much more.
2018 Creta facelift
In May 2018, Hyundai gave the Creta its first major facelift, outfitting the midsize SUV with a new grille, restyled bumpers, updated headlights and tail-lamps, redesigned alloy wheels, and more. The Creta’s feature list was also bolstered with a 6-way powered driver’s seat, smart key band, wireless charger, and of course, the all-important sunroof in the top-spec variants. Where most facelifts stay on the market for three years, the Creta facelift was ushered out in just two years in favour of the second-gen model.
Second-gen Hyundai Creta (2020-present)
More features and powertrains, with a controversial design
The second-generation Creta was launched in March 2020 – right at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – with prices starting at Rs 9.99 lakh and topping off at Rs 17.20 lakh. Not only was the second-gen Creta more advanced on the features and tech front – a larger touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, connected car tech, etc – it also offered a much broader set of powertrains, including petrol, turbo-petrol, and diesel engines with up to five types of transmissions (manual, clutchless manual, CVT, torque converter, and dual-clutch auto).
However, the second-gen Creta’s styling was the only fly in the ointment for buyers. It sported a split-headlight setup with C-shaped LED DRLs, and a similar split arrangement for the tail-lamps, too. These complex design changes were a far cry from the original Creta’s simpler and more aggressive styling, but despite that and the difficult market conditions, the second-gen model picked up strong sales momentum and remained a customer favourite even as new rivals entered the fray in the coming years.
2024 Creta facelift
January 2024 saw the launch of the second-gen Creta’s big facelift, which addressed the styling complaints with a sizable overhaul comprising a new split-headlight setup with connected DRLs, revised grille, updated bumpers, full-width rear light bar, new alloy wheels, etc. The 2024 Creta facelift added notable features like a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a 360-degree camera, Level 2 ADAS, and dual-zone climate control, while under the hood, it received a stronger 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine in place of the earlier 140hp, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol motor.
Creta N Line
Just two months after the 2024 Creta facelift went on sale, Hyundai launched sportier N Line variants of the midsize SUV. The Creta N Line is available solely with the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, mated to a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and features design changes in the form of a restyled grille, 18-inch alloy wheels, red accenting, new side skirts, a roof spoiler, twin exhaust tips, and more.
Creta EV
The Creta Electric was launched at Auto Expo 2025, with prices ranging from Rs 17.99 lakh to Rs 23.50 lakh. As Hyundai’s first mass-market EV for India, and given the industry-wide transition to electrification, the Creta Electric is perhaps the most important iteration of the midsize SUV so far.
Since the Creta Electric is an ICE-to-EV conversion, it looks mostly identical to the standard version, but with EV-specific updates, such as a closed-off front grille with active aero flaps, a pixel-esque design for the bumpers, aero-optimised alloy wheels, etc. Under the floor, the Creta Electric packs 42kWh and 51.4kWh battery pack options, delivering an MIDC-claimed range of up to 473km.
Hyundai Creta sales data
Over 15.57 lakh units sold across domestic and export markets
| Hyundai Creta annual sales from 2015-2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fiscal year | Units sold | Year-on-year change |
| FY2016 | 63,836 | |
| FY2017 | 96,899 | 51.79 percent |
| FY2018 | 1,07,136 | 10.56 percent |
| FY2019 | 1,24,300 | 16.02 percent |
| FY2020 | 82,074 | -33.97 percent |
| FY2021 | 1,20,035 | 46.25 percent |
| FY2022 | 1,18,092 | -1.62 percent |
| FY2023 | 1,50,372 | 27.33 percent |
| FY2024 | 1,62,773 | 8.25 percent |
| FY2025 | 1,94,871 | 19.72 percent |
| FY2026 (ongoing) | 47,662 | 2.71 percent |
To date, the Hyundai Creta has sold a colossal 12.68 lakh units in India, with exports adding an extra 2.89 lakh units to the wholesale tally. Comparing the first full year of sales to the most recent one (FY2025), the Creta’s annual sales have jumped by more than 305 percent.
Moreover, the Creta alone accounted for 31 percent of Hyundai India’s 2024 sales, which is quite astonishing considering the Korean carmaker has 11 other models on offer here. It’s not much of a surprise, then, that the Creta is the highest-selling midsize SUV in India.
Creta EV sales pace is sluggish
However, the Creta Electric hasn’t been as much of a success story, with just over 4,000 units sold in its first six months. For perspective, the ICE-powered Creta nearly quadrupled that figure in June 2025 alone.
Next-gen Hyundai Creta (2027)
First hybrid version of the Creta
Looking toward the future, Hyundai is gearing up to bring the third-gen Hyundai Creta to the market in 2027. Aside from the obvious design changes and feature additions, the next-gen Creta will be the first to incorporate a strong hybrid powertrain, joining the existing petrol and diesel engines.
Creta EV facelift
The Creta Electric is set to receive a mid-cycle facelift in 2027 as well, bringing design updates, more features, and possibly even larger battery pack options.
All prices ex-showroom, India.
