SUVs remain the most popular body style in the car industry, and the sales numbers reflect that. In the calendar year 2025, six of the 10 bestselling cars were SUVs. Here, we take a look at five SUV segments, from sub-compact to premium, and the top-selling model in each category, based on 2025 sales data. Note that all powertrains offered by each model, including ICE and electric, have been considered in this feature.
Sub-compact SUV
The Tata Punch is the entry point to the carmaker's SUV lineup and it nails the brief: aggressive pricing, a feature-rich package and priority to safety. Its petrol and CNG choices give it a wide appeal; a turbo-petrol powertrain was added just this year. The Punch even topped India’s passenger vehicle sales charts in 2024, ending Maruti Suzuki’s four-decade run at number one. With this year’s facelift, it looks set to stay competitive. The Hyundai Exter is its only rival right now.
Compact SUV
At the larger end of the compact SUV space, Tata leads again, this time with the Nexon. And just like the Punch, the Tata Nexon offers a rich features list and impressive crash safety. It was the first made-in-India car to earn a full five-star Global NCAP rating in 2018, and it stands out as the only model to offer a CNG kit with a turbo-petrol powertrain. A revision to GST rates has also helped Tata position the Nexon aggressively on price.
Midsize SUV
The midsize SUV segment is often referred to as the "Creta class" for good reason. Compared to its rivals, the Hyundai Creta has been around the longest and continues to dominate the sales charts despite not being the most affordable option in its segment. In fact, it sold nearly twice as many units as the next best-seller, the Maruti Grand Vitara. That said, 2025 has brought in fresh competition with the return of the Tata Sierra and the Renault Duster nameplates, both of which may eat into the Creta's share going forward.
Executive SUV
In the executive SUV segment, the Mahindra Scorpio Classic and the Scorpio N stand out as the only ladder-frame offerings. Compared to their rivals, they may not be as feature-rich, but demand remains strong. Mahindra does not give seperate sales figures for the Classic and Scorpio N, but their combined sales figure make them the best-sellers in this space. Both second (Scorpio Classic) and third (Scorpio N) generations continue to be sold alongside each other, which underlines their demand. The Classic also stands apart by offering a nine-seat layout, something no other SUV in this segment provides.
Premium SUV
Last on this list is the premium SUV space, where the Toyota Fortuner remains the segment’s standard-bearer. Priced from Rs 34.16 lakh to Rs 49.59 lakh, ex-showroom, it averaged roughly 2,900 units a month last year despite the hefty price bracket. The nearest rival, the Skoda Kodiaq, sold just 1,477 units in the year, illustrating how dominant the Fortuner remains and why its buyer base often reads like a cult following.
Saptarshi Mondal
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Saumil Shah
