Towards the end of last month, Hyundai Motor India confirmed that bookings count for the new Creta had surpassed the 55,000-mark. We haven’t even got to mid-August, and that number has already risen past 65,000. Impressive isn’t it! But that’s not an achievement. What is, however, that the lifetime sales of the Creta brand have crossed 500,000. That’s only in India!

Strong sales have helped the marque join the elite, and hypothetical, half-a-million club. The Creta has been the bestselling SUV in its segment for the past three months. In July 2020 alone, Hyundai sold 11,549 units. That number bolstered the carmaker’s SUV portfolio, which includes the Venue, Tucson and the Kona Electric. Put together; the four models accounted for 34,212 sales for Hyundai from April to July 2020.

The current-gen Creta is available with three engine options – two petrol and one diesel. Hyundai says that 60 per cent of the customers opted for the diesel-fed variants. The 1.5-litre mill, which produces 113bhp/250Nm, comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission as standard. Those who want a two pedal-setup have the option of a 6-speed automatic. Filling the petrol portfolio is a 1.5-litre motor with 113bhp/144Nm on tap, and a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine that puts out 138bhp/242Nm. Both those engines also get the option of manual and automatic transmissions.

It isn’t just the variety of powertrain options that attract customers. The Creta also has a lengthy list of creature comforts. That includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, Blue Link connected-car tech, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, cruise control, automatic climate control and auto-dimming IRVM. In India, the Creta primarily competes with its step-sibling – Kia Seltos – and the Nissan Kicks. To try and take a slice of the pie, Renault will soon introduce a turbocharged range of the Duster as well. That should make things more interesting!