The Indian passenger vehicle market kicked off 2026 on a strong growth trajectory, driven largely by the rising demand for compact and sub-4-metre SUVs. The top 10 best-selling cars together recorded 157,416 units in January 2026—marking a 28.49% year-on-year jump compared to 122,513 units sold in January 2025.

SUVs continued to dominate buyer preference, occupying most positions in the sales rankings.

Tata Nexon Takes the Top Spot

The Tata Nexon, including its EV version, emerged as the best-selling car of January 2026, with total sales of 23,365 units. This reflects a massive 51.75% YoY growth, underlining the model’s popularity across petrol, diesel, and electric powertrains.

Close behind was the Tata Punch, which posted its best-ever January performance, selling 19,257 units—an 18.64% YoY increase. Its competitive pricing and compact SUV appeal continue to resonate strongly with buyers.

Creta Slips to Third Amid Rising Competition

The Hyundai Creta secured the third position with 17,921 units sold, though its sales dipped 3.24% year-on-year. The slight decline points to intensifying competition in the mid-size SUV segment.

Following Creta, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza sold 17,486 units, recording a healthy 18.57% YoY growth, supported by consistent demand from both urban and semi-urban markets.

Scorpio Loses Momentum

The combined sales of Mahindra Scorpio and Scorpio-N stood at 15,542 units, registering only a 0.65% YoY increase. While still popular, the model lagged behind newer and more affordable compact SUVs this month.

A notable new entry was the Maruti Victori, which sold 15,240 units in its first full month of sales, indicating strong initial market acceptance.

Venue, Bolero and Sonet Make the List

• Maruti Suzuki Fronx slipped to seventh place with 13,353 units, down 12.11% YoY

• Hyundai Venue sold 12,413 units, growing 11.77% YoY

• Mahindra Bolero remained strong in rural and fleet markets with 11,841 units, a solid 36.39% YoY growth

• Kia Sonet rounded off the top 10, selling 10,998 units, posting an impressive 52.88% YoY increase

Overall Trend

January 2026 sales clearly show that affordable SUVs priced around ₹8 lakh are reshaping the market, pushing established players like Creta and Scorpio down the rankings. With strong growth across compact SUVs, competition in this segment is only expected to intensify in the coming months.