The SUV market continues to be a driving force in automotive sales for Q1 FY2026 (April-June 2025), significantly offsetting declines in passenger cars and sedans, though some top models still experienced a drop in sales.
The Fierce Battle for Supremacy
The first quarter of the fiscal year saw intense competition at the top. Hyundai Creta narrowly edged out the Maruti Brezza, leading by a mere 618 units, highlighting the tight race among India’s most popular SUVs.
Hyundai Creta Reigns Supreme
India’s long-standing top midsize SUV, the Hyundai Creta, sold 47,662 units in Q1 FY2026, marking a 3 percent year-on-year increase. This growth of 1,260 units from Q1 FY2025 helped it maintain its lead. The Creta also topped monthly sales charts in April and June 2025.
Maruti Brezza: A Close Second
The Maruti Brezza, a popular compact SUV, recorded 47,044 units in sales, showing a healthy 6 percent year-on-year growth. Since its launch, the Brezza has sold over 1.29 million units, solidifying its position as India’s best-selling compact SUV. April 2025 was its strongest month this quarter with 16,971 units sold.
Mahindra Scorpio: Consistent Performer
Mahindra’s best-selling SUV, comprising both the Scorpio N and Scorpio Classic, achieved 42,675 units in sales. This represents a 5 percent increase year-on-year and accounts for a significant 28 percent of Mahindra’s total SUV sales in the first three months of FY2026.
Tata Nexon: Strong Growth Story
The Tata Nexon compact SUV saw substantial growth, selling 40,155 units, a 16 percent increase from the previous year. As the second-best-selling compact SUV, the Nexon’s success is bolstered by its availability across petrol, diesel, CNG, and electric powertrains.
Maruti Fronx: Steady on the Rise
The Maruti Fronx, a top performer in FY2025, continued its positive trend with 37,744 units sold, a 3 percent increase year-on-year. This Baleno-based compact SUV has already crossed the 3 lakh sales milestone, making it the first Nexa-marketed SUV to do so.
Tata Punch: An Unexpected Dip
Despite being India’s best-selling SUV in FY2025, the Tata Punch experienced a surprisingly sharp decline in Q1 FY2026. Its sales dropped by 36 percent year-on-year to 36,075 units, a decrease of over 20,000 units. June 2025 saw its lowest monthly sales since July 2023.
Mahindra Bolero: Enduring Appeal
The Mahindra Bolero brand, including the Bolero, Bolero Neo, and Bolero Neo Plus, sold 24,257 units. This represents a slight 3 percent year-on-year decrease. The Bolero remains a strong contender, available exclusively with a diesel powertrain.
Mahindra Thar: Soaring Higher
The Mahindra Thar, encompassing both the three-door Thar and the five-door Thar Roxx, saw an impressive 35 percent year-on-year growth, with 23,339 units sold. The introduction of the more practical Thar Roxx has significantly broadened its appeal, helping it surpass the 2.5 lakh sales milestone and capture new market segments.
Kia Sonet: Holding Its Ground
Kia India’s best-selling compact SUV, the Sonet, recorded 22,780 units in sales. This was a 9 percent decrease year-on-year. Despite the dip, the Sonet accounts for 34 percent of Kia’s total SUV and MPV sales in the first quarter of the fiscal year.
Mahindra XUV 3XO: A Strong Debut Quarter
The Mahindra XUV 3XO, a facelifted version of the XUV300, made a strong impression in its first quarter, selling 22,609 units. It contributed 15 percent to Mahindra’s total SUV sales and demonstrated robust growth compared to the previous year’s figures for its predecessor, reflecting a successful market entry.
- The SUV segment remains crucial for automakers, balancing declines in other vehicle categories.
- Competition at the top is incredibly tight, with the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Brezza separated by just hundreds of units.
- While many SUVs show growth, some high-volume models like the Tata Punch and Kia Sonet experienced sales dips.
- Newer or updated models like the Mahindra Thar Roxx and XUV 3XO are quickly gaining traction and driving significant growth for their respective brands.
The first quarter of FY2026 highlights the dynamic and competitive nature of the Indian SUV market, with both established leaders and new entrants vying for consumer attention.
