Even as the utility vehicle market continues to be dominated by compact and midsize SUVs, multi-purpose vehicles draw buyers with their high level of practicality and ability to transport seven people and their luggage in comfort.
25 Oct 2025 | 5292 Views | By Ajit Dalvi
In India’s humungous utility vehicle market where SUVs rule the road, demand for multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) has been on the upswing for the past two years. The calling card of the MPV segment, among a host of factors in a value-conscious market like India, is the high level of practicality, ...
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In India’s humungous utility vehicle market where SUVs rule the road, demand for multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) has been on the upswing for the past two years. The calling card of the MPV segment, among a host of factors in a value-conscious market like India, is the high level of practicality, the ability to transport seven people and their luggage in comfort, and the fact that more and more car-owning families are taking the road to their holidays across the country.
In FY2025, MPVs accounted for around 11% of India UV Inc’s record sales of 2.79 million units and even outsold sedans. OEM factory dispatches of MPVs in first-half of FY2026 (April-September 2025) indicate that the momentum will likely be maintained in the current fiscal, albeit the GST 2.0-driven vehicle price cuts could see an accelerated shift to other sub-segments.
The MPV market is dominated by three models – Maruti Ertiga, Toyota Innova Hycross/Crysta and Kia Carens. Let’s take a quick look at the Top 10 MPVs in in Q1 FY2026 (April-June 2025).
Of the Top 10 models, the Kia Carens has shone with 41,831 units, up 25% YoY, as a result of the launch of the new Clavis and Clavis EV.
No. 1 – Maruti Ertiga: 93,235 units, down 2%
Maruti Suzuki India's first crack at the MPV segment and the No. 1 for the past six fiscals, continues to have a strong lead over its main rival, the Toyota Innova. Sold with petrol and CNG powertrains, the Ertiga has sold 93,235 units in the first six months of this fiscal, down 2% YoY (H1 FY2025: 95,061 units).
This constitutes 50% of the Ertiga’s 190,974 sales in FY2025, which was its best-ever fiscal year performance and made it the best-selling utility vehicle for Maruti Suzuki and India’s third best-selling UV in FY2025 after the Tata Punch and the Hyundai Creta.
The popular and city-friendly Ertiga is a sensible MPV for large families, with comfortable seating for seven passengers. While there’s no diesel option, the 1.5-litre mild hybrid petrol engine offered with manual and auto transmission gets the job done. The CNG-powered Ertiga is also in demand.
No. 2 – Toyota Innova Crysta / Hycross: 53,589 units, up 2%
The Innova MPV – Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s best-selling product – has sold 53,589 units, up 2% YoY (H1 FY2025: 52,714 units). This total is 50% of the Innova’s sales of 107,204 units in FY2025, with the Hycross the more popular than the Crysta.
While the Innova Crysta is a diesel-only model which is a dependable and reliable workhorse, customer demand continues to rise for the front-wheel-drive, petrol-only Innova Hycross. Compared to the mild hybrid variant, the strong hybrid variant shines with its high fuel efficiency of 13.1kpl in the city and 16.1kpl on the highway. The Hycross offers everything buyers with large families want and there’s a new level of luxury too in this people-mover.
No. 3 – Kia Carens / Clavis / Clavis EV: 41,831 units, up 25%
Kia India’s high-on-space and comfort Carens MPV, which is a three-row derivative of the Seltos midsize SUV, has been the best performer on the sales front in the first half of FY2026. The 41,831 units, as detailed by SIAM, are a strong 25% YoY increase (H1 FY2025: 33,575 units).
This smart growth can be attributed to the May 2025 launch of the Carens Clavis, a more upmarket sibling with more six- and seven-seater options, and also the Clavis EV in July 2025.
The well-equipped Clavis, which comes with multiple 1.5-litre petrol and diesel powertrain options, offers comfortable seating in all three rows, a new interior, more tech and comfort features. There are 21 variants on offer – 14 petrol and 7 diesel. The Clavis EV, which has a 490km range, sports subtle EV-specific tweaks over its IC-engined sibling.
No. 4 – Maruti XL6: 16,947 units, down 13%
The XL6 is the heavily modified premium avatar of the Maruti Ertiga. This six-seater version of the Ertiga, billed as a proper alternative to India’s bestselling MPV, ticks the comfort and practicality boxes with ease. It is powered by the same 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine as in the Ertiga and offers the same automatic and manual gearbox options. In the first-half of the current fiscal, the XL6 has sold 16,947 units, down 13% YoY (H1 FY2025: 19,470 units). In FY2025, the XL6 had sold 37,111 units, down 18% YoY.
No. 5 – Renault Triber: 10,677 units, up 6%
The seven-seater Triber SUV, which offers MPV versatility for hatchback money, which was down 24% in Q1 has bounced back with a strong showing in Q2. The Renault MPV’s sales in H1 FY2026 at 10,677 units are now up 6% YoY (H1 FY2025: 10,096 units). In FY2025, the Triber had sold 19,905 units, down 11% year on year. The growth in Q2 can be attributed to the launch of the facelifted Triber in July.
The refreshed Triber features subtle interior updates, including new upholstery choices and a slightly redesigned dashboard. However, the Triber would have benefited from a more powerful engine. It continues with the meek 1.0-litre petrol engine which develops 72hp and 96 Nm of torque paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. The Triber does not offer a diesel engine option, and also considering the value segment it is in, it does not have a factory-fitted CNG option engine either.
No. 6 – Toyota Rumion: 7,267 units, down 29%
The Rumion MPV is one of Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s successful products in the past two years. Since its launch in August 2023, the sensible, no-nonsense Maruti Ertiga-based people-mover, which is among the four rebadged Maruti Suzuki models in TKM’s portfolio, has made its presence felt in the affordable MPV market and has sold an estimated 35,118 units till end-September 2025.
However, its H1 FY2026 sales performance is different. The Rumion, which was ranked fifth in FY2025 – 21,878 units and 266% growth – has sold an estimated 7,267 units between April and September 2025. While Q1 FY2026 sales at 5,794 units were up 24% YoY, Q2 FY2026 numbers (1,473 units) have dragged the H1 FY2026 sales down by 29% to 7,267 units.
No. 7 – Maruti Invicto: 1,491 units, up 19%
After a poor first quarter (688 units, down 34%), the Maruti Invicto MPV, which is produced by Toyota Kirloskar Motor for Maruti Suzuki under the global Suzuki-Toyota alliance, has done well in Q2. So much so, that total H1 FY2026 sales at 1,491 units are up 19% YoY (H1 FY2025: 1,251 units). In FY2025, the Invicto had sold 4,036 units, down 12% YoY (FY2024: 4,599 units).
Maruti Suzuki had launched the Invicto in July 2023. Like the Innova, it is big on space, comfort and features and sold with a strong hybrid-only engine, delivers impressive fuel economy and is retailed from the premium Nexa channel.
No. 8 – Toyota Vellfire: 596 units, up 14%
Proof that even a very high sticker price for an MPV cannot dissuade buyers is the ultra-luxurious Toyota Vellfire. Priced at Rs 1,53 crore (on-road Chennai), the XXL-sized MPV has sold 596 units in April-September 2025, up 14% YoY (H1 FY2025: 523 units). It may be recollected that the Toyota Vellfire sold 1,155 units in FY2025 – 755 additional units than FY2024’s 400 units and handsome 189% YoY growth. The surging domestic market demand for the Vellfire has likely led to JSW MG Motor India entering the luxury MPV market with its all-electric M9.
The Vellfire houses a cavernous cabin that’s home to some of the best seats. A sister product to the more luxuriously appointed Lexus LM, the Vellfire is powered by a 193hp, 240Nm, 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol-hybrid powertrain mated to an e-CVT.
No 9 – Kia Carnival: 425 units, NEW MODEL
Launched in October 2024, the Kia Carnival (Limousine) builds on the legacy of its predecessor, the Kia Carnival, while offering enhanced features aimed at redefining passenger comfort. A key highlight is the second-row powered relaxation seats, which provide ventilation, heating, and leg support to ensure a comfortable experience for passengers. The large diesel-engined MPV scores high on comfort and flexibility and goes all out to pamper its occupants to the hilt.
Notwithstanding the high sticker price of Rs 59.42 lakh (ex-showroom), the Carnival has sold 425 units in the first six months of FY2026.
No. 10 – Mahindra Marazzo: 252 units, up 227%
The Marazzo is the sole MPV mingling amongst Mahindra & Mahindra’s raft of SUVs. In April-September 2025, the 1.5-litre diesel-engined Marazzo sold 252 units, registering 227% YoY growth on a low year-ago base of 77 units.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest sales updates and analyses.
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