logo
Hyundai Creta turns 10! The SUV that refuses to fade

Hyundai Creta turns 10! The SUV that refuses to fade

Time of India6 days ago
In the world of Indian automotive retail, few nameplates have held their ground as firmly, and as quietly, as the
Hyundai Creta
. A decade after it first arrived in showrooms, the Creta isn't just present in the
mid-size SUV
segment, it still defines it.
Since 2016, the Creta has consistently been the highest-selling SUV in its category, every single year. In the past 10 years, its cumulative sales have crossed 1.2 million units in the domestic market. The numbers speak volumes. A product line that now spans three full generations, multiple powertrains, and two special editions.
"
Hyundai
identified a fast-growing demand for compact SUVs among Indian buyers, especially as preferences started shifting from hatchbacks and sedans to vehicles offering more space, a higher driving position, and stronger road presence. At that time, the Indian compact SUV segment had started gaining traction, and models like the Renault
Duster
and Ford EcoSport were doing well. Hyundai aimed to disrupt this space with a global product tailored for local needs, " says Abhilash Gupta, Automotive Analyst, Counterpoint Research.
A product that grew with the market
When the Creta was launched in 2015, it entered a segment still in flux. Compact SUVs were just beginning to get serious buyer attention, and Hyundai's strategy was to deliver a product that felt premium, yet practical; urban, yet not too aggressive. That positioning hit a sweet spot. The Duster had made the space viable, but the Creta made it aspirational.
Gupta adds, "Hyundai conducted extensive research in India, including feedback from over 900 SUV owners and potential buyers."
The second-generation Creta, launched in 2020, leaned harder into features and tech, establishing new norms for what a mid-size SUV should offer. Its large infotainment display, connected car features, a panoramic sunroof, and the introduction of turbocharged petrol variants marked a clear upshift in customer expectations, expectations that competitors had to then catch up with.
"Hyundai offered a feature-rich package, an industry-first three-year unlimited warranty, and a total cost of ownership promise, appealing directly to the price-sensitive Indian consumer. Hyundai's direction was clear: build an aspirational yet accessible urban SUV for India's evolving and maturing car buyer," explains Gupta.
By the time the third-generation Creta arrived in 2024, Hyundai had refined the formula even further. From ADAS Level 2 features to dual 10.25-inch screens, from a more mature design language to a quieter, more premium drive feel, the 2024 model made one thing clear, Creta wasn't just keeping pace with the segment. It was still setting the pace.
A brand that transcends product cycles
Part of what makes the Creta story so interesting is how consistent its appeal has remained, even as the Indian buyer has evolved. Between January and June 2025, nearly 70 per cent of all Creta buyers opted for variants equipped with a sunroof, a strong signal that lifestyle features are now no longer optional for India's new-age buyer. What Hyundai has done well is to anticipate these shifts early, and scale features quickly across variants without making the product feel stretched or gimmicky.
Gupta explains, "Eight of 11 Creta trims now come with sunroofs, making this feature widely accessible across price points. The high take rate for sunroof models in Creta indicates a maturing, urban-centric customer base willing to pay for feel-good features over basic utility."
Even special editions have been handled with restraint. The Creta Knight Edition in 2022 brought in a darker, sportier look, while the Adventure Edition in 2023 played to outdoor and offbeat sensibilities. Neither strayed far from the core identity of the car, but both gave enough freshness to maintain excitement across showroom floors.
At a time when most mid-size SUVs refresh every three years and often vanish by year seven, the Creta's ability to hold attention, and market share, for ten straight years is a feat in itself. That it has done this while staying true to a mass-market premium positioning makes it even more impressive.
"Hyundai effectively creates a "tech-luxe" positioning within the mainstream compact SUV segment. A customer looking for this category's most feature-rich, connected, and semi-autonomous experience is naturally drawn to the Creta. This creates a powerful differentiator beyond just engine performance or design," feels Gupta.
Competition has evolved, but so has Creta
Today, the Creta competes with a long list of capable alternatives. Kia's Seltos has carved its own identity and is often seen as a sportier cousin. Maruti Suzuki's Grand Vitara and Toyota's Hyryder have made strong inroads with hybrid drivetrains and city-friendly efficiency. Volkswagen's Taigun and Skoda's Kushaq offer dynamic driving experiences with European engineering polish. Even the Honda Elevate has entered the fray with its understated value-first approach.
"The Creta's enduring dominance isn't due to a lack of competition, but rather Hyundai's mastery of a holistic strategy that competitors have struggled to match across the board," Gupta says.
Yet, none have been able to consistently dislodge the Creta from its perch. Hyundai's edge lies not in delivering one spectacular feature, but in maintaining a balance that few others manage. Powertrain choice, feature availability, brand value, resale comfort, dealer coverage, it all comes together to keep the Creta ahead without shouting.
Gupta elaborates, "In essence, Creta is successful because no competitor has delivered the same all-round package with the same level of consistency and nationwide appeal."
A decade in, still growing
What perhaps sums up the Creta's enduring success best is this: it doesn't compete with others so much as it competes with itself. Each generation, each refresh, has outdone the previous without trying to overcorrect. It's a model that evolves in rhythm with the market, not ahead or behind it.
And as the Indian SUV landscape continues to shift, with hybrids gaining ground, EVs entering in higher numbers, and buyer expectations rising, there's every indication that Hyundai will continue to invest in keeping the Creta relevant across multiple fuels and formats. But even in its internal combustion avatar, the Creta continues to outsell rivals and set the tone.
As of H1 2025, Hyundai sold around 4,000 units of the
Creta EV
in India, capturing an estimated 5 per cent share of the country's fast-growing BEV market. The Creta EV is priced, positioned, and specified as a 'tipping point,' but will need time and market tailwinds to match the original's runaway numbers. Creta EV arrives when rivals are also launching compelling, long-range, and feature-rich electric SUVs. Maintaining its 'default choice' status will depend on Hyundai's agility in scaling production and sustaining perceived value.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UK cos can offer telecom services in India without local office under CETA
UK cos can offer telecom services in India without local office under CETA

Business Standard

timea minute ago

  • Business Standard

UK cos can offer telecom services in India without local office under CETA

Companies from the UK will be able to offer services in sectors such as telecom, and construction in India without setting up a local presence, under the free trade agreement signed between the two countries. The British firms will be treated on par with Indian firms. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed on July 24 in London. It may take about a year for items implementation as the free trade pact needs approval from the British Parliament. "UK companies can now provide telecom, construction, and related services in India without establishing a local presence, enjoying full national treatment, meaning they will be treated on par with Indian firms," the commerce ministry said. Services is a key chapter in the agreement as both countries are strong in different kinds of services. India enjoys a trade surplus of around $6.6 billion with the UK. The country's services exports stood at $19.8 billion and imports at $13.2 billion. In the agreement, the UK has provided a comprehensive and deep market access in 137 sub-sectors to Indian firms. On the Indian side, commitments have been extended in 108 sub-sectors, granting UK firms access to domains like accounting, auditing, financial services (with FDI capped at 74 per cent), telecom (100 per cent FDI allowed), environmental services, and auxiliary air transport services, it said.

CM Naidu meets Indian High Commissioner in Singapore, investors
CM Naidu meets Indian High Commissioner in Singapore, investors

News18

time10 minutes ago

  • News18

CM Naidu meets Indian High Commissioner in Singapore, investors

Amaravati, Jul 27 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, as part of his five-day visit to Singapore, met the Indian High Commissioner and several investors on Sunday and showcased the state's vast potential. He said that Andhra Pradesh is the most suitable destination for global investments, highlighting strengths in the green energy, electronics, ports, logistics and manufacturing sectors. 'Andhra Pradesh offers abundant opportunities for investment across multiple sectors," said Naidu in an official release. The CM held talks with Indian High Commissioner Shilpak Ambule, who shared insights into Singapore's achievements in diverse areas, its robust economic growth and the effective public policies being implemented there. Naidu shared details of the state's newly introduced policies, aimed at attracting investments across various sectors. The state has set an ambitious target of producing 160 gigawatts of green energy, he added. He informed the High Commissioner that green hydrogen projects have already been launched in Visakhapatnam (in partnership with NTPC) and Kakinada. Under the India Quantum Mission, Andhra Pradesh is set to establish the country's 'first-ever Quantum Valley' in Amaravati, said Naidu, adding that global tech leader Google is setting up a data center in Visakhapatnam. Highlighting Andhra's industrial potential, the CM said Rayalaseema is ideal for defence and aerospace units and urged support to make the state a gateway for Singaporean investments. Ambule informed the CM that on several sectors, the Singaporean companies are exploring investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh, including electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, shipbuilding, port operations, data centers and pharmaceuticals. According to the release, major Asia-Pacific firms headquartered in Singapore, including STT (ST Telemedia)–which specialises in digital infrastructure and data centers and Keppel Corporation–which operates in infrastructure, energy, and urban development have shown interest in investing in Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, Equinix, a global leader in data centers and internet connectivity services and PSA International-a port operating company and logistics firms have shown interest in investing in Andhra Pradesh. The meeting also focused on collaboration in fields such as artificial intelligence, startups, medical device research, and academic partnerships between universities in the southern state and Singapore. Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh shared plans for expanding higher education institutions while Municipal Minister P Narayana presented state's housing schemes, inspired by Singapore's successful public housing model. Later, Naidu met the representatives from Surbana Jurong, a global urban infrastructure company who has shown interest in investing in Andhra Pradesh and invited them to join large-scale housing projects under the state's 'Housing for All" initiative. The CM explained that the state is focusing on infrastructure development projects and highlighted the development of 20 ports and 15 airports, positioning itself as a logistics hub. Similarly, Eversendai Engineering, a Malaysia-based construction firm, has shown interest in investing in Andhra Pradesh after its chairman Tan Sri Dato' AK Nathan met Naidu. They discussed plans to set up a state-of-the-art manufacturing factory and integrated training center in the state, with Visakhapatnam or Krishnapatnam shortlisted as possible locations. The proposed factory, spread over two lakh square meters, will aid nationwide product distribution, boost industrial growth, and create large-scale employment opportunities across Andhra Pradesh's emerging industrial zones, said the release. Eversendai also expressed interest in Amaravati's infrastructure projects and proposed a structural engineering training center with IIT Tirupati and IIIT Sri City as knowledge partners. PTI MS GDK KH view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 22:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Roshanara Club with revamped sport facilities, wellness and banquet areas, opens its doors after almost 2 years
Roshanara Club with revamped sport facilities, wellness and banquet areas, opens its doors after almost 2 years

Indian Express

time29 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

Roshanara Club with revamped sport facilities, wellness and banquet areas, opens its doors after almost 2 years

After being closed for renovation for nearly two years, the century-old Roshanara Club reopened its doors to the residents of the Capital on Sunday. Renovated and restored by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the heritage club now boasts of revamped sport facilities as well as modern wellness and banquet areas, among others. The club, spread across 22 acres, was taken over by the DDA for renovation on September 29, 2023. This was after L-G V K Saxena – in his maiden visit to the club on January 12, 2023 – noticed that the 'majestic structure was lying in a dilapidated state with poor maintenance with a crumbling facade', the DDA said in a statement. Saxena, who unveiled the revamped club, said, 'It is a big moment for us, as this heritage club has been restored and relaunched. I congratulate the people of Delhi on this occasion. Delhi is a city of heritage and in the last three years, a number of heritage (sites) have been restored and we are committed towards (restoring) more in the future.' The club was established on August 15, 1922 as an elite recreational and social retreat for the Britishers residing in the area around present-day Delhi University and Civil Lines. It was named after Begum Roshanara, the daughter of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who was buried in the neighbouring Roshanara Bagh. The club is considered the birthplace of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which was formed in 1928 when Indian cricket administrators gathered at Roshanara Club. 'Particular attention was given to the preservation of the club's architectural legacy. The century-old façade, including the European-style doors and windows, Mangalore-tiled roof, and intricate wooden trusses, have all been carefully restored. Antique chandeliers and original furnishings were refurbished and reupholstered to revive their classic charm,' the DDA said in its statement. It added that indoor facilities at the club now include a main lounge, card and billiards rooms, banquet area, bar and dining hall, library, gym, squash and badminton courts, a swimming pool, and a wellness area with yoga, sauna, and steam rooms. Outdoor amenities include clay, grass, and synthetic tennis courts, cricket grounds, a mini football zone, basketball area, and a jogging track. The DDA said civil works involved anti-termite treatment, waterproofing, marble polishing, wooden flooring repairs, and renovations to sanitary facilities. Important upgrades were made to the squash and badminton courts, swimming pool, and various places in the club house building. While electrical systems were overhauled, AC cooling was enhanced by providing requisite units, ducting and wiring were concealed, and damaged fittings, switches and light fixtures were replaced. Chandni Chowk BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal, Model Town BJP MLA Ashok Goel, DDA Vice Chairman N Saravana Kumar, and senior officials also attended the launch. Devansh Mittal is a trainee correspondent with The Indian Express. He studied political science at Ashoka University. He can be reached at ... Read More

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store