So 2025 is almost over and this year was a great year for the Indian car market. Not only did we see some of the most exciting launches this year, but it was also one of the rare times when cars became cheaper for people in India. Now as the year is coming to a close, it is time to revisit how the year has been and what have been some of our favourite car launches this year.
Be it EVs or ICE cars, we have seen some of the most iconic launches like the Mahindra BE6 and XEV 9e twins and the Tata Sierra. Further, this year we also got some much-needed upgrades in popular cars like the new Thar or the new Hyundai Venue. So without much further ado, let us take a look at some of Smartprix’s favourite car launches from 2025.
1. Mahindra BE6
The Mahindra BE6 was launched alongside its bigger sibling, the Mahindra XEV 9e. Both the cars were one of the first significant launches of the year, with the BE 6 being the more sport or performance-oriented of the two. The Mahindra BE 6 was initially launched in battery options – Pack One with a 59kWh battery, and the Pack Three with a 79kWh battery. Later in the year, Mahindra also launched a Pack Two variant for the BE6, which brought the bigger 79kWh battery at a more affordable price. Apart from this, Mahindra recently also launched a Formula E version of the BE 6 which comes with a completely new bumper design and looks more equipped for off-roading.
The Mahindra BE 6 comes with two battery options – a 59kWh battery which produces 228 bhp of power and offers a claimed range of 557 kilometers. The larger 79kWh battery puts out 282 bhp of power and offers a claimed range of 683 kilometers. In terms of features, the Mahindra BE 6 comes loaded with things like electronically adjustable ventilated front seats, a dual display dashboard, a massive glass roof, ADAS features, and more.
2. Mahindra XEV 9e
The Mahindra XEV 9e was also launched back in January alongside the Mahindra BE 6. This was launched as a family car out of the two options, meaning it prioritises practicality and space, apart from offering cool technology. The XEV 9e was also launched with the same variants – Pack One and Pack Three, with a Pack Two variant coming later in August. The Mahindra XEV 9e has been one of the most successful EVs this year, thanks to a radical design, superb features and a strong made-in-India product.
Here also, we are getting two battery options, and the power/ range figures are the same as the Mahindra BE 6. We’re getting a 59kWh battery which produces 228 bhp of power and offers a claimed range of 557 kilometers. The larger 79kWh battery puts out 282 bhp of power and offers a claimed range of 683 kilometers. In terms of features, the Mahindra BE 6 comes loaded with things like electronically adjustable ventilated front seats, a dual display dashboard, a massive glass roof, ADAS features, and more.
3. Hyundai Creta Electric
Another EV launch in early 2025, the Hyundai Creta was also launched back in January, with the deliveries commencing from February. The Creta electric was an instant hit in our market, since it offered an EV powertrain with a car that is already highly trusted among the Indian car buyers. The Hyundai Creta Electric comes with a 51.4 kWh battery which powers a 126 kW motor, generating 255Nm of torque and 169 bhp of power. Hyundai claims that the Creta Electric offers a range of up to 510 kilometers on a single charge.
In terms of features, here also there are pretty much all the creature comfort features that any kind of user would want in their car. We are getting electric front seats with memory function, ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, 360-degree camera, automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers, electric tailgate, and more.
4. Kia Syros
The Kia Syros was the first Kia car launched this year and while the car may not be the most successful in terms of the number of units sold throughout the year, the Kia Syros offers something unique. This is a car which is meant for one thing only – practicality. It has space, so much that the design had to be unconventional in order to maximise the amount of space in the cabin. Apart from that, it also comes with all the bells and whistles in terms of the features, and a pretty reliable drivetrain in both petrol and diesel options.
ALSO READ: Kia Syros Review: Functionality Like No Other
The Kia Syros is powered by a 1.5-litre tubrochaged diesel engine, paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission, or a torque converter automatic. In petrol, the Syros offers a 1.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine which is also mated to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic transmission. The car offers a mileage of up to 20.75 kmph on diesel and up to 18.2 kmph in petrol (both manual options).
5. BYD Sealion 7
The largest EV maker in the world, BYD launched its flagship SUV the BYD Sealion 7 in India this year. The BYD Sealion 7 was basically the SUV version of the BYD Seal with a few changes. The BYD Sealion 7 was launched in two variants – Premium and Performance. The Premium variant comes with more range and less power, while the Performance variant comes with more power and less range.
ALSO READ: BYD Sealion 7 Review: Breaks Many Stereotypes
Both the BYD Seal Premium and Performance variants have the same size 82.56 kWh battery. The Performance variant pushes 523 bhp of power, while the Premium variant makes a total of 309 bhp, offering a total range of 567 kilometers.
6. VW Golf GTI
Volkswagen finally brought the Golf GTI to India, a limited run of only 250 cars, priced at ₹60 lakh in the country. The VW Golf GTI was brought to India to cater to the enthusiasts, and was sold out within the first day of bookings going live. The VW Golf GTI comes with a 2.0 litre turbocharged TSI engine paired to a 7-speed DCT transmission, pulling 261 bhp of power and 370 Nm torque.
The Golf GTI comes as a purely enthusiast car, but also offers the full suite of comfort and convenience features. We are getting things like rain sensing wipers, 3-zone climate control, wireless charging, a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, and more.
7. Maruti Suzuki Victoris
While a rather basic C-segment SUV, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris has had many takers already, few months after its launch. This is due to the Victoris being a simple offering with the Maruti Suzuki reliability. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is powered by Maruti’s 1.5-liter NA petrol engine with a mild-hybrid system (103 PS, 137 Nm), paired with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. There is also an all-wheel-drive version available with the automatic variant (and the same engine).
Then there’s the 1.5-liter NA petrol engine paired with a strong hybrid system (likely the same setup on the Grand Vitara that produces 116 PS and 141 Nm), mated with an e-CVT transmission(only in a front-wheel-drive configuration).
ALSO READ: Maruti Suzuki Victoris vs Competition: Here Is How Maruti’s Creta Rival Stacks Against Others
Last but not least, the Maruti Victoris is also available with a 1.5-liter NA petrol + CNG option (which produces 88PS and 121.5 Nm) with a five-speed manual transmission.
8. Hyundai Venue
The Hyundai Venue also got an update this year. The car which was criticised for its rather dated design got a much needed refresh this year, with the new Hyundai Venue offering many upgrades over its predecessor. The new Venue fixes many things that people demanded with the older version, but there are still a few things that leave you wondering how the car would perform.
The design of the new mini SUV has been updated quite substantially. It takes from Hyundai’s latest design language, which has done wonders over this size and dimension. The new Hyundai Venue looks really good in the new design language – it looks bigger and it looks meaner than the predecessor.
ALSO READ: 2025 Hyundai Venue First Impressions: Improvements All Around
With the new Hyundai Venue, we are getting a 1.2 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine which produces 82 bhp of power and 117 nm of torque. There is also a 1.5 litre 4 cylinder diesel engine which produces 112 bhp of power and 250Nm of torque. The third option is a three cylinder 1 litre turbocharged petrol engine which produces 118 bhp of power and 172Nm of torque.
9. Tata Sierra
Tata Motors has officially unveiled the modern iteration of its legendary SUV, and the goal is clear: take the crown from the Hyundai Creta.
The Sierra is entering India’s most ruthless category—the mid-size SUV market. It’s not just fighting the Creta; it’s going up against the Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, and the Volkswagen Taigun. But unlike its rivals, the Sierra arrives with a massive weight of expectation. Analysts and fans alike are predicting this could be the moment Tata dominates the segment, much like the Creta did for Hyundai years ago.
ALSO READ: Few Reasons To Skip The Newly Launched Tata Sierra
Despite a rather boxy shape and design, the Tata Sierra looks modern enough to be a lifestyle product. I love how Tata has designed the rear third of the car – keeping the iconic Sierra-like shape of the back glass panels. It looks unique and makes the Sierra easy to spot with its distinctive shape and design.
10. Mahindra XEV 9s
Mahindra recently launched the 7-seater version of the Mahindra XEV 9e, which is called the XEV 9s. The Mahindra XEV 9s comes with a lot of similarities to the XEV 9e, but also brings a slew of updates with it. Based on the same INGLO platform and coming with the same 59kWh and 79kWh batteries, the Mahindra XEV 9s is also much bigger, measuring 4,737 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,747 mm in height, the model uses a 2,762 mm wheelbase.
Like its 5-seater sibline, the Mahindra XEV 9S has to be its triple-screen in-car tech. The car is equipped with a 12.3-inch driver instrument screen, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and a third 12.3-inch passenger screen that creates a coast-to-coast screen.
ALSO READ: Mahindra XEV 9S vs. Competition: Is It The Best 7-Seater eSUV On The Market?
