Even as the surging demand for compact SUVs continues – accounting for nearly 50 percent of the record 2.79 million utility vehicles sold in FY2025 – there is a growing demand for bigger, feature-laden midsize SUVs. But what’s interesting is that only 3 of these 10 bestselling midsize SUVs in FY2025 recorded individual growth, while all others saw a decline in sales compared to FY2024. Like the compact SUV market, the competition here too is intense. Let’s take a closer look at how some of the most popular midsize SUVs fared in the last financial year.
1. Hyundai Creta: 1,94,871 units
YoY growth of 20 percent
The Hyundai Creta maintains its position as India’s bestselling midsize SUV with 194,871 units, up 20 percent YoY. Sales surged following the launch of the facelift in January 2024, and the arrival of the Creta Electric in January 2025 has given demand a fillip. The Creta continues to be Hyundai’s bestselling model, with demand for hatchbacks and sedans slowing. At 1,94,871 units, the Creta and Creta Electric together accounted for a 47 percent share of Hyundai’s SUV sales in FY2025, up from the 42 percent share held by the ICE Creta in FY2024.
2. Maruti Grand Vitara: 1,23,946 units
YoY growth of 2 percent
Sales of the Maruti Grand Vitara have been slower than expected, and the 1,23,946 units were up just 2 percent YoY (FY2024: 1,21,169 units). The Grand Vitara, retailed from Maruti Suzuki’s Nexa channel, is the second bestselling Nexa SUV in FY2025, after the Maruti Fronx. Earlier this month, Maruti launched the updated MY2025 version of the Grand Vitara that is now equipped with six airbags as standard, and it also gets some new comfort and convenience features. A three-row version of the Grand Vitara is also launching later this year.
3. Kia Seltos: 72,618 units
YoY decline of 28 percent
In third position, the Seltos is quite some way off the Grand Vitara and is clearly feeling the heat of the midsize SUV competition. Kia’s longstanding bestseller has been overtaken by the smaller Sonet. In FY2025, the Seltos’ 72,618 units were down by a substantial 28 percent YoY. However, an all-new generation of the Seltos is already in the works and is expected to come to India sometime next year. The big news is that it will even have a new strong-hybrid powertrain.
4. Toyota Hyryder: 60,388 units
YoY decline of 23 percent
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The Toyota Hyryder sold 60,388 units in FY2025, up 23 percent YoY. Of the four badge-engineered models in India bearing the Toyota logo, the Hyryder is currently the bestselling. It was also the model to record the highest year-on-year growth amongst midsize SUVs. Like Maruti, Toyota also updated the Hyryder for 2025 with standard six airbags, a new AT AWD variant and a few other convenience features.
5. Mahindra Thar Roxx: 37,834 units (estimated)
The 5-door Thar Roxx, launched in September 2024, has entered the bestselling midsize SUV chart in its very first year, with estimated sales of 37,834 units. The Thar brand, comprising the 3-door Thar and the new Thar Roxx, posted total sales of 84,834 units, with the 3-door Thar accounting for an estimated 47,000 units over the 12-month period. The Thar Roxx was also named Autocar India’s Car of the Year 2025.
6. Tata Curvv: 34,019 units
The Tata Curvv coupe-SUV has clocked wholesales of 34,019 units in FY2025. It was first launched in its electric avatar in August and was followed by the petrol and diesel variants in September. The Tata Curvv was the third highest-selling SUV for Tata Motors after the Punch (1,96,567 units) and the Nexon (1,63,089 units). In just 7 months of being on sale, the Curvv managed to grab an 8 percent share of Tata Motors’ SUV wholesales of 4,32,667 units in FY2025.
7. Honda Elevate: 22,321 units
YoY decline of 34 percent
The Elevate midsize SUV has seen demand plunge by 34 percent to 22,321 units in the current fiscal. In fact, its exports in FY2025, at 45,167 units (up 340 percent), are double its domestic market sales. To push sales, Honda recently joined the ongoing Dark Edition trend with a new Signature Edition, but sales have been disappointingly low.
8. Volkswagen Taigun: 19,910 units
YoY decline of 3 percent
The Volkswagen Taigun, sister SUV to the Skoda Kushaq, sold 19,910 units in FY2025, down 3 percent YoY (FY2024: 20,485 units). At its peak, the Taigun averaged about 2,500 units per month, but this has since dropped to about 1,600 units. Volkswagen has been periodically updating the Taigun with features and cosmetic upgrades, but a mid-lifecycle facelift is only expected in 2026.
9. Tata Harrier: 18,958 units
YoY decline of 23 percent
Tata Harrier sales are also down by a substantial 23 percent in FY2025, with 18,958 units sold (FY2024: 24,701 units). There’s still good demand for diesel in the midsize SUV segment, but the absence of a petrol engine has surely stunted growth for the Harrier. That said, Tata Motors is gearing up to launch the Harrier EV next month, which should broaden its appeal. At a later stage, a petrol engine will also be offered.
10. Skoda Kushaq: 17,363 units
YoY sales decline 26 percent
The Skoda Kushaq sold 17,363 units in FY2025, down 26 percent YoY (FY2024: 23,396 units). Its annual sales numbers are even lower than its sibling model, the Taigun. However, the Kushaq’s mid-lifecycle facelift will arrive sooner than the Taigun facelift, with a launch expected in 2025 itself. Updates will include significant cosmetic changes and more features on the inside, including ADAS.
Hormazd Sorabjee
Sahil Kukreja
