July 2026 Mid-Size SUV Sales: Creta Maintains Command as New Rivals Reshape the Segment

The 4.2-metre to 4.5-metre SUV segment delivered a strong performance in July 2026, with several new entrants adding momentum to the market. After reviewing the sub-4m SUV segment, the focus now shifts to this larger SUV category.

Combined sales reached 75,762 units in July 2026, compared with 46,779 units in July 2025, translating into a substantial 61.96% year-on-year growth. The segment also gained considerable momentum over the previous month, rising from 60,252 units in June 2026 to record a 25.74% month-on-month increase.

Hyundai Creta Continues to Dominate

The Hyundai Creta remained firmly at the top of the sales chart, registering 18,088 units in July 2026. This was a 7.04% increase over July 2025, when it sold 16,898 units.

More importantly, Creta recorded a massive 152.34% month-on-month jump compared with the 7,168 units sold in June. Even with several new SUVs entering the segment, the Creta continues to maintain a sizeable lead over its competitors.

Seltos and Victoris Secure the Next Spots

The Kia Seltos finished July in second position with 12,541 units. Its sales grew by an impressive 108.67% YoY, while monthly volumes increased by 29.90%.

Maruti Victoris claimed third place with 11,334 units, followed by the Maruti Grand Vitara, which recorded 8,127 units. The Grand Vitara posted 27.52% YoY growth, although its sales declined 10.61% compared with June.

The Toyota Hyryder slipped to fifth position with 7,187 units. Unlike most of the segment leaders, the Hyryder experienced declines both year-on-year and month-on-month, with sales falling 18.46% YoY and 20.27% MoM.

Tata Sierra Makes a Strong Entry

The Tata Sierra and Sierra EV together registered 6,327 units, placing the new Tata SUV range sixth on the July sales chart.

Meanwhile, the Honda Elevate recorded 1,949 units, representing a healthy 39.71% YoY growth and a 24.86% MoM improvement.

The Tata Curvv ended the month with 1,697 units, down 15.36% YoY and 3.19% compared with June.

eVitara and Tekton Enter the Top 10

Two newer names also made their presence felt in the segment. The Maruti eVitara recorded 1,675 units, narrowly ahead of the Nissan Tekton, which registered 1,670 units.

The Volkswagen Taigun followed with 1,225 units. Its sales declined 7.69% YoY, although volumes improved 3.64% MoM.

Skoda Kushaq posted 833 units, falling 7.55% YoY and 16.03% MoM, while the MG ZS EV recorded 810 units. The MG electric SUV was almost flat year-on-year, declining just 0.61%, but its monthly sales dropped 23.44%.

New Launches Create Major Swings

The lower half of the table saw some of the biggest percentage movements.

The Citroen C3 Aircross registered 680 units, marking a remarkable 279.89% YoY increase. Its month-on-month performance was even stronger, with sales jumping 857.75%.

The Mahindra BE 6 recorded 541 units, down 65.01% YoY and 52.96% MoM. The decline comes as Mahindra prepares to introduce the updated BE 6 SPORTEQ, which is expected to feature a new triple-screen dashboard setup.

The Renault Duster ended July with 512 units, its lowest monthly sales figure since its launch earlier this year.

Bottom of the July Sales Chart

The Toyota Ebella recorded 283 units, while the MG Astor managed 236 units. Despite its relatively small sales base, the Astor posted substantial growth of 391.67% YoY and 293.33% MoM.

At the bottom of the ranking, the Citroen Basalt sold just 29 units. The Mahindra XUV400 ended July with only 18 units, suffering the steepest year-on-year decline in the segment at 93.79%.

July 2026 SUV Sales Snapshot

Key Takeaway

July 2026 proved to be a particularly strong month for the 4.2m–4.5m SUV market. While the Hyundai Creta continued to command the segment, the rapid growth of the Seltos, strong performance from the Victoris and Grand Vitara, and the arrival of models such as the Tata Sierra, Maruti eVitara and Nissan Tekton are making the segment increasingly competitive.

With several new SUVs now entering the market, the sales hierarchy could see further changes in the coming months.