SUVs outnumber hatchbacks in 10 bestsellers of FY2024

The financial year 2023–24 was a record-breaking one for the Indian automotive industry, with 4.21 million passenger vehicles sold during the period. SUVs comprised five of the top-10 selling models; the list featured three hatchbacks and two MPVs. Among brands, Maruti Suzuki had the highest number of vehicles, with a tally of six. Tata Motors had two. Hyundai and Mahindra had one each. Here are the rankings:

1.  Maruti Suzuki Wagon R – 2,00,177 units

While SUVs are the flavour of the season, topping the charts is the Wagon R hatchback. Even if it sold 12,163 fewer units than in FY2023, Maruti’s urban runabout retains its title as India’s bestselling car.

2. Maruti Suzuki Baleno – 1,95,607 units

The Baleno too sold fewer units at 1,95,607, down 3.6 percent on FY2023 sales. However, this performance still secures it the title of India’s bestselling premium hatchback. Notably, it’s also the only premium hatchback in the top 10 chart.

3. Maruti Suzuki Swift – 1,95,321 units

At the third spot is the Swift, which takes the place of sibling Alto that’s dropped out of the Top 10 list. At 1,95,321 units, the Swift recorded 10 percent growth (FY2023: 1,76,902), despite it being at the end of its lifecycle and a new generation due to arrive this month.

4.  Tata Nexon – 1,71,929 units

Despite slowing demand and flat sales in FY2024, the recently facelifted Tata Nexon holds onto its title as India’s bestselling SUV at 1,71,929 units. It is sold in over 60 variants across its petrol, diesel and electric powertrains.

5. Maruti Suzuki Brezza – 1,69,897 units

Available with petrol and CNG power, the Brezza leads the SUV charge for Maruti with 1,69,897 units sold, up by a strong 42 percent. It crossed the million-unit sales milestone in December 2023.

6. Tata Punch – 1,69,844 units

Tata Motors’ second bestseller after the Nexon continues to punch above its weight and has received a new charge with CNG and EV variants joining the petrol powertrain. Punch‘s FY2024 wholesales of 1,69,844 units were a 27 percent YoY increase (FY2023: 1,33,819).

7.  Hyundai Creta – 1,62,773 units

In its MY2024 avatar, the Creta has five engine-gearbox options and remains India’s bestselling midsize SUV by a fair margin. Sales of 1,62,773 units were up 8 percent and contributed 26 percent to Hyundai Motor India’s best-ever fiscal sales of 6,14,721 PVs. Cumulative Creta sales crossed a million units in February 2024.

8. Maruti Suzuki Ertiga – 1,49,757 units

Topping the MPV charts and making the overall top 10 is the Ertiga with sales of 1,49,757 units, up 17 percent in FY2024. There’s no diesel on offer; petrol and CNG are the two fuel choices available.

9. Mahindra Scorpio – 1,41,462 units

An 84 percent YoY sales increase to 1,41,462 units (FY2023: 76,935 units) brings the Scorpio into the bestsellers list. Available with both petrol and diesel options, the Scorpio is the only ladder-on-frame vehicle in the top 10 chart.

10.  Maruti Suzuki Eeco – 1,37,139 units

Being in the Top 10 list for the fifth year in a row is proof enough that the utilitarian and space-efficient Eeco’s USP to cheaply transport more than five people and their luggage remains a big draw. Sales in FY2024 were up 4.5 percent (FY2022: 1,31,191).

Data Source: JATO Dynamics India.

To read the complete FY2024 sales analysis, pick up a copy of Autocar India’s May 2024 issue.