The third best-selling car in India last month wasn't a sedan, hatchback, or SUV. It was the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, a no-frills seven-seater that moved 21,606 units. And it did it at prices that undercut most compact SUVs.
21,606 units in July: How the Ertiga became India's No. 3 car
The Ertiga finished July 2026 as India's third-best-selling car overall. Only the Dzire (23,791) and Wagon R (23,338) sold more. That's 21,606 units in a single month, its best month in at least two years. Sales jumped 30.1% over July 2025 (16,604 units) and 34% over June (16,111 units). The wider MUV segment did 46,930 units, and the Ertiga alone made up 46% of that. So nearly one in every two MUVs sold was an Ertiga.
Ertiga price vs. rivals: Why the ₹8.85–12.99L compact SUV beats others
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga
MUV/MPVThe Ertiga starts at ₹8.85 lakh for the base Lxi (MT) and tops out at ₹12.99 lakh for the ZXi Plus (AT), ex-showroom. On-road prices add road tax, registration, and insurance, so budget more, and it varies by state. Compare that to the Kia Carens Clavis, which starts at ₹11.27 lakh, a full ₹2.42 lakh more for the same seven-seat job. The Maruti XL6, Maruti's own posher MPV, begins at ₹11.57 lakh. In July the Ertiga outsold the Carens and Clavis combined (5,352 units) by roughly four to one. It even outsold the Innova Crysta and Hycross pair (9,976 units) by more than double.
Petrol vs. CNG: Which Ertiga makes sense for your running
The petrol Ertiga returns 20.51 km/l (MT) and 20.30 km/l (AT) on ARAI's test, which is a government mileage test that always reads higher than real driving. Expect roughly 13–15 km/l in real city use. The factory CNG version is the smart pick for heavy running: 26.11 km/kg, and CNG costs far less per kg than petrol per liter. The VXi CNG is ₹10.86 lakh, and the ZXi CNG is ₹11.92 lakh. For a taxi driver or a family clocking big monthly kilometres, that CNG figure is the real headline. If you drive under 1,000 km a month, the petrol VXi at ₹9.9 lakh keeps things simple.
Ertiga specifications: 102 bhp petrol, 87 bhp CNG, enough for seven?
Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol making about 102 bhp and 137 Nm of torque (pulling power). You get a five-speed manual or a six-speed torque-converter automatic. The CNG version drops to about 87 bhp and 121 Nm, so it feels a bit slower when fully loaded. It's not fast, but it's refined and frugal, which is what a family car at this price needs. At 4,395 mm long with a 2,740 mm wheelbase, the Ertiga stays easy to park yet frees up real third-row space. Seven people plus weekend bags to Lonavala? It manages; just don't expect the last row to swallow adults for long trips.
Buy the Ertiga now or wait?
Demand is running hot, so a popular variant or color may carry a short waiting period at busy dealers. Ask your dealer about current stock and any July or festive-season offers before booking. The Ertiga's biggest strength beyond price is Maruti's huge service network and its strong resale value, which keeps ownership cheap and easy. Nothing on the horizon suggests you should hold out. If you want a genuine, affordable seven-seater, the Ertiga fits the bill right now.
References: Maruti Suzuki India — official website
