8 Hyundai Creta Rivals Launching This Year: Tekton To MG S5
The compact SUV, often referred to as the mid-size SUV segment, continues to witness high traction in India. The Hyundai Creta continues to dominate this segment. It is now available with petrol, diesel and all-electric powertrains. Several manufacturers are preparing to launch new products into the mid-size SUV segment this year. These include pure internal combustion products, hybrids and even all-electrics. The first two will compete with the petrol and diesel versions of the Creta while the EVs will compete with the Creta Electric. Here’s a closer look at what’s coming.
Nissan will launch the Tekton, its Creta rival, on July 9, 2026. It will be Nissan’s version of the new Renault Duster. The design will, however, differentiate it from the new Duster, as the Tekton’s styling will align with Nissan’s global SUV design direction. Inside, the Tekton will share a lot of its design and features with the Duster.
It will be based on the same RGMP platform as the Duster. It will initially be offered with two turbocharged petrol engines- 1.0L turbo and 1.3L turbo. Both these are found on the Duster as well. A new 1.8L strong hybrid powertrain will also be introduced in the future.
Renault launched the third-generation Duster in India in March this year. Based on the RGMP platform and offered with 1.0L turbo-petrol and 1.3 turbo-petrol engines, the new Duster has an upmarket design. It comes with a modern cabin and a long list of features.
Around Diwali this year, the carmaker will introduce a new 1.8L strong hybrid powertrain on the Duster. Expected to make around 160hp, this powertrain will pair a 1.8L naturally aspirated petrol engine with two electric motors and a 1.4kWh battery pack. It is expected to deliver excellent fuel efficiency.
The outgoing Duster is priced in the range of Rs 10.49 lakh- 18.49 lakh, ex-showroom. The strong hybrid version is expected to be more expensive.
Honda is expected to launch the facelifted Elevate later this year. It will have minor cosmetic upgrades and feature additions. The front fascia and rear end are likely to get the most noticeable changes. Features like a 360-degree camera are expected to be added to the package.
Additionally, the facelift is also likely to get a strong hybrid powertrain. It will not, however, be the one used in the City e:HEV. This new setup will be more localised and efficient. It will have a lighter battery pack and a more energy efficient electric motor.
Kia launched the second-generation Seltos in India in January this year. It is now available in 10 trims- HTE, HTE (O), HTK, HTK (O), HTX, HTX (A), GTX, GTX (A), X-Line, and X-Line (A). The company has confirmed that it will add two new top-end trims- GTX+ and X-Line (O)- to the lineup in the near future.
Details of the feature lists offered by these and the possible additions remain unclear at the time of writing. A dashcamera, head up display (HUD), and a couple of other features are likely. The new Seltos is already a well-kitted SUV, and these will only make it better.
Both GTX+ and X-Line (O) variants are likely to be offered with turbocharged petrol and diesel engines and manual and automatic transmissions. When launched, these will compete with the higher -end variants of the Creta.
Tata Motors will launch the much-awaited Sierra.EV as a potent rival to the Creta Electric. Expected to be out in the second quarter of (financial year) FY2027, it will be underpinned by the same ARGOS platform as the internal combustion Sierra. It is likely to be offered with two battery pack choices- 55 kWh and 65 kWh. The EV will share much of its equipment with the internal combustion Sierra.
Toyota will launch its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) in India in the coming months. Called the Urban Cruiser eBella, it will be a badge-engineered version of the Maruti Suzuki eVitara. It will be based on the same Heartect-e platform and will feature 49kWh and 61.1 kWh battery packs. The larger will have a claimed range of 543 km per charge. On the design front, the eBella will differ sharply from the eVitara. Its design will have Toyota’s styling cues in it.
BYD is expected to launch the Atto 2 electric SUV, as a Creta electric rival in the coming months. It will share many of its styling cues with the Atto 3 and will have a feature-rich cabin. It will be underpinned by BYD’s E-Platform 3.0. In international markets, the Atto 2 is sold with two battery pack choices- 51.1kWh and 45.1kWh. The electric powertrain can make up to 173hp and 290 Nm, and the EV can do the 0-100kph sprint in just 7.9 seconds.
MG’s ZS EV competes with the Creta Electric in India. It will soon be replaced by a new mid-size electric SUV- most likely the S5. It will be larger than the ZS EV and will be based on the Modular Scalable Platform. It could come with 49 kWh and 64 kWh battery packs. Claimed range could fall in the ballpark of 500 km. It is expected to have a technology-rich cabin.