The SUV segment dominated with over 50% of total car sales in FY24, with five SUVs among the top 10 best-selling cars in India. Hatchbacks comprised three entries, while one each belonged to the sedan and MPV categories. In terms of segment share within the passenger vehicle (PV) industry, SUVs led with 50.4%, followed by hatchbacks (27.8%), MPVs (9.3%), sedans (9%), and vans (3.5%). SUVs, MPVs, and vans witnessed growth, whereas hatchbacks and sedans saw a decline in market share.

Maruti Suzuki India claimed six models among the top 10 best-sellers in FY24, while Tata Motors secured two spots, and Hyundai Motor India and Mahindra & Mahindra each had one.

Maruti Suzuki WagonR continued its dominance with sales of 200,177 units in FY24, retaining its top spot from FY22 and FY23. Following closely were Maruti Suzuki Baleno with 195,607 units and Maruti Suzuki Swift with 195,321 units, showcasing Maruti Suzuki’s stronghold in the hatchback segment.

Tata Nexon continued to lead the SUV segment with 171,697 units sold in FY24, maintaining its top position from FY22 and FY23. Tata Punch followed suit with 170,076 units, while Maruti Suzuki Brezza, a competitor to the Nexon, secured 169,897 units.

In the sedan category, Maruti Suzuki Dzire performed impressively with sales of 164,517 units in FY24.

Hyundai Creta emerged as the best-selling mid-size SUV with 161,653 units sold in FY24. Maruti Suzuki Ertiga stood as the lone MPV with sales of 149,757 units, while Mahindra Scorpio, including N and Classic variants, secured the 10th position with 141,462 units sold in FY24.

10 largest-selling cars in India in FY24

• Maruti Suzuki WagonR – 200,177 units
• Maruti Suzuki Baleno – 195,607 units
• Maruti Suzuki Swift – 195,321 units
• Tata Nexon – 171,697 units
• Tata Punch – 170,076 units
• Maruti Suzuki Brezza – 169,897 units
• Maruti Suzuki Dzire – 164,517 units
• Hyundai Creta – 161,653 units
• Maruti Suzuki Ertiga – 149,757 units
• Mahindra Scorpio – 141,462 units

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Sigma MT:

1. Performance: Powered by a 1.2L VVT engine delivering 88 bhp of power and 113 Nm of torque.
2. Transmission: Equipped with a manual transmission featuring 5 gears for precise control.
3. Safety Features: Dual airbags, ABS, seat belt warning, and engine immobilizer ensure passenger safety.
4. Comfort and Convenience: Automatic climate control, power windows, rear parking sensors, and rear defogger enhance comfort.
5. Connectivity: Smart connectivity options include Android Auto and Apple Car Play for seamless integration with smartphones.
6. Instrument Cluster: Combination of analogue and digital displays for essential information.
7. Warranty: Standard warranty of 2 years provides peace of mind to buyers.
8. Colors: Available in vibrant options such as Nexa Blue and Opulent Red.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx Sigma 1.2L MT:

1. Performance: Equipped with a 1.2L Dual Jet, Dual VVT engine producing 89 bhp of power and 113 Nm of torque.
2. Transmission: Manual transmission with 5 gears ensures responsive performance and precise gear shifts.
3. Safety Features: Dual airbags, ABS, seat belt warning, and engine immobilizer prioritize passenger safety.
4. Comfort and Convenience: Automatic climate control, power windows, and rear parking sensors enhance the driving experience.
5. Connectivity: Smart connectivity options such as Android Auto and Apple Car Play keep passengers connected on the go.
6. Instrument Cluster: Digital display provides essential information at a glance.
7. Warranty: Standard warranty coverage offers added assurance to buyers.
8. Colors: Available in attractive options like Blue (Celestial) and Splendid Silver.

Both the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Sigma MT and the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Sigma 1.2L MT offer a compelling combination of performance, safety, and convenience features. Whether it’s the sleek design and vibrant colors of the Baleno or the advanced technology and responsive performance of the Fronx, Maruti Suzuki continues to provide options that cater to the diverse needs of customers in the hatchback segment.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

The Maruti Suzuki Ignis received a disappointing one-star rating (16.48 out of 34) in the adult occupant protection category and a concerning zero-star rating (3.86 out of 49) in the child occupant protection category, according to Global NCAP. Priced between Rs 5.84 lakh and Rs 8.25 lakh (ex-showroom), the Ignis highlights significant safety concerns that need to be addressed.

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso

The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso, falling within the price range of Rs 4.26 lakh to Rs 6.11 lakh (ex-showroom), received a disappointing one-star rating (20.03 out of 34) in the adult occupant protection category and an alarming zero-star rating (3.52 out of 49) in the child occupant protection category, as per Global NCAP tests. These ratings highlight the urgent need for improved safety standards in the vehicle.

Maruti Suzuki WagonR

Prepare to be astonished by this revelation! Despite its popularity as one of the highest-selling cars in India, the Maruti Suzuki WagonR’s safety ratings are alarmingly poor. It received a meager one-star rating (19.69 out of 34) in the adult occupant protection category and a distressing zero-star rating (3.40 out of 49) in the child occupant protection category, as determined by Global NCAP. With prices ranging from Rs 5.54 lakh to Rs 7.37 lakh (ex-showroom), the WagonR’s safety performance raises significant concerns.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

The Maruti Suzuki Swift, priced from Rs 5.99 lakh to Rs 9.03 lakh (ex-showroom), demonstrated slightly better safety ratings compared to the WagonR. It received one star in both the adult occupant protection category (19.19 out of 34 points) and the child occupant protection category (16.68 out of 49 points). While these ratings show some improvement, there remains room for enhancement in the Swift’s overall safety performance.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10, with a price range of Rs 3.99 lakh to Rs 5.96 lakh (ex-showroom), achieved a two-star rating in the adult occupant protection category (21.67 out of 34 points). However, it received a disappointing zero-star rating (3.52 out of 49 points) in the child occupant protection category, highlighting the need for improvements in ensuring child safety within the vehicle.

Source – Global NCAP

The tested models only had two airbags as standard. Besides, they did not have ESC as standard.

In 2023, Maruti Suzuki India, the leading automobile manufacturer in the country, dominated the list of best-selling cars with an impressive presence of seven models among the top 10. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor India and Tata Motors also made their mark with one and two models, respectively. The Maruti Suzuki Swift retained its title as the year’s best-selling car, recording sales of 203,469 units. Following closely behind was the Maruti Suzuki WagonR with 201,302 units sold. These two cars were the only ones to achieve sales exceeding 200,000 units throughout the year.

In the premium hatchback segment, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno emerged as the frontrunner, with a remarkable sales figure of 193,988 units in 2023.

A fierce competition unfolded in the SUV segment between the Maruti Suzuki Brezza and the Tata Nexon, where the former held a slight edge with 170,588 units sold compared to 170,311 units for the latter.

Sustaining the prominence of sedans, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire secured an impressive sales volume of 157,522 units, while the Hyundai Creta led the mid-size SUV segment with sales of 157,311 units. The Tata Punch, an entry-level SUV introduced by the domestic manufacturer, showcased an outstanding performance by registering sales of 150,182 units in 2023.

The van segment was represented by the Maruti Suzuki Eeco, which accumulated sales of 136,010 units, while the MPV segment witnessed the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga capturing sales of 129,967 units.

In summary, the Indian automobile industry displayed a robust performance in 2023, with Maruti Suzuki leading the way and several models from various manufacturers garnering high sales figures across different vehicle segments.

10 largest-selling cars in India in 2023

1. Maruti Suzuki Swift – 203,469 units
2. Maruti Suzuki WagonR – 201,302 units
3. Maruti Suzuki Baleno – 193,988 units
4. Maruti Suzuki Brezza – 170,588 units
5. Tata Nexon – 170,311 units
6. Maruti Suzuki Dzire – 157,522 units
7. Hyundai Creta – 157,311 units
8. Tata Punch – 150,182 units
9. Maruti Suzuki Eeco – 136,010 units
10. Maruti Suzuki Ertiga – 129,967 units

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest car manufacturer, showcased exceptional sales performance by selling an impressive 170,600 units of the Brezza in CY23. It’s worth noting that even the Swift, another Maruti product, held the title of the best-selling car in India for CY23, with 203,500 units sold.

With a price range of Rs 8.29 lakh to Rs 14.14 lakh (ex-showroom), the Brezza offers customers a compelling choice. However, Maruti recently announced an upcoming price hike across its entire product portfolio in January 2024, potentially affecting the Brezza’s pricing.

Under the hood, the Brezza is equipped with the powerful K15C 1.5-litre petrol engine, providing outputs of 103PS of power and 137Nm of torque, available in both 5-speed manual transmission and 6-speed automatic transmission options. Additionally, there is a CNG variant, delivering 88PS of power and 121Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.

As Maruti Suzuki aims to secure the top position in India’s SUV market, the Brezza plays a pivotal role as their volume driver in this segment. Alongside the Brezza, Maruti also offers other noteworthy SUVs such as the Fronx, Jimny, and Grand Vitara.

Furthermore, the Brezza, along with the Baleno and Grand Vitara, is one of the three models chosen by Maruti to participate in the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP) testing, underscoring the carmaker’s commitment to ensuring optimal safety in their vehicle lineup.

In summary, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza emerged as India’s best-selling SUV in 2023, with Maruti Suzuki India leading the way in terms of sales. With its impressive performance, wide range of features, appealing pricing, and a keen focus on safety, the Brezza continues to dominate the SUV market, solidifying Maruti Suzuki’s position as a leading automotive brand in India.