Even as utility vehicles continue to command the majority share of the passenger vehicle market in India, the passenger car sub-segment has its own set of popular models which provide the bulk of sales. Of the estimated 1.11 million (11,12,868) passenger cars and sedans sold in India between April 2024 and January 2025, these Top 10 passenger cars – eight hatchbacks and two sedans – cumulatively account for 905,095 units, which makes for an 81% share of this sub-segment of the overall PV segment.
Passenger car market leader Maruti Suzuki has all of five models in this best-sellers list, accounting for 665,038 units or 60% of total passenger car wholesales in the first 10 months of this year. All these five high-selling petrol-engined models have CNG options, which indicates the growing demand for CNG cars in India.
The Wagon R is the No. 1 Maruti Suzuki model with 161,397 units. The Wagon R, which lost its title of India’s best-selling passenger vehicle to the Tata Punch earlier this year and is still 2,897 units behind in the current fiscal year, remains a popular buy. In FY2024, the Wagon R had sold 200,177 units (-5.73% YoY) – with two months left in FY2025, will this popular hatchback sell 38,781 units more to go beyond that number?
At No. 2 is the Maruti Swift with 145,626 units. Following the launch of the fourth-generation model in May 2024 with the base model priced at Rs 649,000, the Swift’s sales have accelerated. In the fiscal year to date, May 2024 (19,393 units) has been the best month for the snazzy hatchback. In FY2024, the Swift had sold 195,321 units (up 10% YoY).
The Maruti Dzire sedan, which has seen demand grow in recent months, is ranked No. 3 with 134,867 units. The model also benefits from the taxi market, where it is sold as the Tour S. The new Dzire, launched in November 2024 at Rs 679,000, has energised volumes and wholesales crossed 16,000 units in December. In the first 10 months of FY2025, the Dzire has already gone past its FY2024 count of 113,434 units (-3.70% YoY)
In fourth position is the Maruti Baleno, a Nexa model and India’s best-selling premium hatchback, with 139,324 units. In FY2024, the Baleno has sold 195,607 units (down 3.59% YoY), which means it needs 56,284 units more to surpass that figure. Seems difficult at this stage, with only February and March numbers to be pencilled in.
The Maruti Alto, the older one of Maruti Suzuki’s two budget cars along with the S-Presso, is at No. 5 in the Top 10 list with 83,824 units dispatched to dealers across the country in the past 10 months. Sales in the entry-level hatchback segment have been under pressure particularly from rural India albeit demand has seen a marginal pick up. In FY2024, the Alto had sold 111,954 units (down 37% YoY).
The Tata Tiago hatchback, with 54,322 units in the fiscal to date, takes sixth rank. Sold with petrol, CNG and electric powertrains, Tata Motors’ stylish hatchback that’s big on value his feeling the heat of slowing sales as a result of the consumer shift to SUVs as well as a decline in demand for Tata EVs. In FY2024, the Tiago had sold 85,478 units, up 10% YoY.
The next three ranks are taken by Hyundai Motor India passenger cars. Just 1,837 units behind the Tiago and ranked No. 7 is the sensible city car Hyundai Grand i10 Nios with 52,485 units. In FY2024, this premium hatchback, which has petrol and CNG options, had sold 70,764 units (down 35% YoY).
The Hyundai i20, which is an accomplished premium hatchback big on space, comfort and features, is ranked eighth in this list with 47,434 units. In FY2024, the petrol-only i20 had clocked sales of 69,988 units (down 15% YoY).
The Hyundai Aura is the penultimate model in this listing. The Aura has sold 45,074 units in the first 10 months of FY2025. In FY2024, this competent compact sedan had sold 55,215, up 11% YoY.
The Toyota Glanza, the premium rebadged Baleno hatchback, wraps up the Top 10 list with 40,742 units. In January 2025, the Glanza’s total sales since its launch in June 2019 surpassed the 200,000-unit milestone. In FY2024, the Glanza has sold 52,262 units, up 31% YoY.
