The Indian automotive landscape has undergone a seismic shift in the 2025-26 fiscal year, with the Mid-SUV segment emerging as the undisputed powerhouse of the industry. Accounting for a staggering 12,23,616 units in total sales, the segment witnessed a robust 23.6% Year-on-Year (YoY) growth, proving that Indian consumers’ appetite for “big, bold, and feature-rich” is stronger than ever.
Sales volumes of >4m SUVs in India for FY2026:
Rank
OEM
Model
FY2026
FY2025
YoY
FY2026 Segment Share%
1
Hyundai
Creta
2,01,921
1,94,871
3.6%
16.5%
2
Mahindra
Scorpio
1,78,800
1,64,842
8.5%
14.6%
3
Mahindra
Thar
1,26,261
84,834
48.8%
10.3%
4
Mahindra
Bolero
1,10,136
94,750
16.2%
9.0%
5
Toyota
Hyryder
99,890
60,388
65.4%
8.2%
6
Maruti Suzuki
Grand Vitara
86,973
1,23,946
-29.8%
7.1%
7
Kia
Seltos
83,747
72,618
15.3%
6.8%
8
Maruti Suzuki
Victoris
75,590
0
–
6.2%
9
Mahindra
XUV 700
57,986
93,082
-37.7%
4.7%
10
MG
Windsor
46,720
19,394
140.9%
3.8%
11
Tata
Harrier
32,914
18,958
73.6%
2.7%
12
Mahindra
XUV 7XO
29,426
0
–
2.4%
13
Mahindra
XEV 9e
27,336
5,422
404.2%
2.2%
14
Tata
Curvv
22,199
34,019
-34.7%
1.8%
15
Tata
Safari
19,508
20,034
-2.6%
1.6%
16
Mahindra
BE 6
16,313
2,625
521.4%
1.3%
17
Mahindra
9S
7,896
0
–
0.6%
TOTAL
12,23,616
9,89,783
23.6%
The Undisputed King: Hyundai Creta
Maintaining its iron grip on the top spot, the Hyundai Creta crossed the historic 2-lakh unit milestone, finishing the year with 2,01,921 sales. Despite fierce competition and a maturing lifecycle, the Creta managed a steady 3.6% growth, anchored by its reputation for premium interiors and a “something for everyone” powertrain lineup.
The Mahindra Surge: A Triple Threat
If FY2026 belongs to any single manufacturer, it is Mahindra. The homegrown SUV specialist secured three of the top four positions:
-
Scorpio (Rank 2): With 1,78,800 units, the Scorpio brand (including the Classic and N) grew by 8.5%, solidifying its status as a cult favorite for both urban and rugged terrains.
-
Thar (Rank 3): The lifestyle icon saw an explosive 48.8% growth, jumping to 1,26,261 units. The introduction of more practical variants has clearly broadened its appeal beyond off-road enthusiasts.
-
Bolero (Rank 4): A testament to utility, the Bolero remains a rural and semi-urban mainstay, clocking 1,10,136 units with a healthy 16.2% increase.
Electric Evolution: “Born Electric” Takes Off
The data reveals a fascinating trend: the rapid ascent of Mahindra’s EV portfolio. The XEV 9e and the BE 6 recorded astronomical YoY growth figures of 404.2% and 521.4%, respectively. While their base volumes are smaller compared to ICE giants, these numbers signal a decisive pivot toward electrification in the mid-size segment.
Market Realities: The Slumpers
It wasn’t a victory lap for everyone. The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara saw a significant 29.8% decline, likely due to internal competition from the new Victoris and the rising dominance of Mahindra’s XUV series. Similarly, the Mahindra XUV 700 dropped by 37.7%, though this is largely attributed to sales shifting toward its updated successor, the XUV 7XO.
Visual Analysis of the Segment for the year gone by:
