The year 2024 marked a significant year for the Indian automotive market as it witnessed a significant shift in consumer preferences, with SUVs and crossovers dominating the sales charts. Today, we are bringing you a list of the best-selling cars for the year.
Tata Punch – 2,02,031 Units
The Tata Punch emerged as India’s best-selling car, a milestone that ended Maruti Suzuki’s four-decade-long dominance in the market. Tata Motors sold over 2.02 lakh units of the Punch across its petrol, CNG, and electric variants, surpassing the Maruti Suzuki WagonR by more than 10,000 units. There are several factors at play such as its SUV body style in an affordable package, features like a semi-digital driver’s display, sunroof, wireless phone charger, and a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SUV’s versatility in India is extreme as it is available with petrol, CNG, and electric powertrains, catering to diverse consumer preferences.
The petrol version is powered by a 1.2-litre engine producing 88 HP and 115 Nm, while the CNG variant, introduced in August 2023, features dual-cylinder technology for practicality and efficiency. The electric iteration, launched in early 2024, offers a feature-loaded EV experience at an affordable price, with a claimed range of up to 365 km. The internal combustion engine models are priced between Rs. 6.13 lakhs and Rs. 10.15 lakhs, while the Punch EV ranges from Rs. 9.99 lakhs to Rs. 14.29 lakhs, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers seeking a well-rounded package.
Maruti Suzuki WagonR – 1,90,855 Units
The Maruti Suzuki WagonR remains the second best-selling car in India, with about 1,90,855 units sold, trailing only the Tata Punch. Its reliability, spacious interior, fuel efficiency and budget-friendly pricing make it a favourite among families and urban commuters. With options for both petrol and CNG powertrains, the WagonR offers low running costs.
Its compact size ensures excellent manoeuvrability in city driving, while modern features like a touchscreen infotainment system and advanced safety features keep it competitive. Despite tough competition, the WagonR’s versatility and affordability continued to secure its place among the top contenders last year.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga – 1,90,091 Units
The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga became the third best-selling car in India, achieving sales of 174,035 units from January to November—an impressive 49% year-on-year growth. The Ertiga’s success is attributed to its reliability, spacious interior ideal for larger families, and modern features such as a 7-inch Smartplay Pro Touchscreen Infotainment System with Arkamys Surround Sense and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Its fuel-efficient K-series 1.5-litre Dual Jet engine offers up to 20.51 km/l, while the CNG variant achieves an impressive 26.11 km/kg. It is also the only MPV on the top 10 list. The vehicle’s affordability and Maruti Suzuki’s extensive service network further enhance consumer confidence, solidifying the Ertiga’s position as a top-selling vehicle in 2024.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza – 1,88,160 Units
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza emerged as the fourth best-selling car in India, demonstrating its strong market appeal. Its compact SUV design, with a robust boxy shape and high ground clearance, offers practicality for urban driving alongside a commanding presence. The Brezza is powered by a 1.5-litre K15C petrol engine with Smart Hybrid technology, delivering excellent performance and fuel efficiency of up to 20.15 km/l for manual variants.
The availability of a CNG option caters to budget-conscious buyers. Inside, the spacious cabin features modern amenities such as a nine-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen infotainment system, wireless charging, and a 360-degree camera. With Maruti Suzuki’s extensive service network and solid brand reputation, the Brezza stands out as a top choice for Indian car buyers in 2024.
Hyundai Creta – 1,86,919 Units
The Hyundai Creta is India’s fifth best-selling car, demonstrating its strong appeal in the SUV market. In September 2024, Hyundai sold 15,902 units, a 25.05% increase from 12,717 units in September 2023. Sales continued to rise in October, reaching 17,497 units, a 34% increase from the previous year. Key to Creta’s success is its January 2024 facelift, which refreshed its design and features. It offers various powertrains, including a 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine, appealing to a broad audience.
The spacious interior and modern amenities, like a touchscreen infotainment system and wireless charging, attract tech-savvy and family buyers alike. Hyundai’s extensive dealership and service network further enhance consumer confidence. Together, Creta’s reliable performance, rich feature set and Hyundai’s strong brand made it a top choice for Indian buyers.
Maruti Suzuki Swift – 1,72,808 Units
Despite the reduction in the popularity of the hatchbacks, the Maruti Suzuki Swift was the sixth best-selling car in India, with sales of 1,72,808 units. Known for its sporty design, responsive performance, and excellent fuel efficiency, it appeals to urban commuters and young buyers.
Powered by a 1.2-litre K-Series petrol engine, the Swift delivers up to 22.38 km/l and offers features like a touchscreen infotainment system, SmartPlay Pro+ and up to six airbags in higher variants. With both petrol and CNG options available, it caters to budget-conscious consumers. Its ease of ownership due to low maintenance costs, and Maruti Suzuki’s extensive service network contribute to its enduring popularity in 2024.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno – 1,72,094 Units
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno ranked as the seventh best-selling car in India for the year, demonstrating its enduring appeal in the hatchback market. The sister of the swift had a strong sales year, especially in the latter months. In November 2024, it became the best-selling car in India, with 16,293 units sold—a 25.71% increase from the previous year.
This success is due to its spacious interior, fuel-efficient engine options, and a range of features, including a user-friendly infotainment system and advanced safety measures. Maruti Suzuki’s extensive service network and the Baleno’s reliability further boosted consumer confidence.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire – 1,67,988 Units
The Maruti Suzuki Dzire is the eighth best-selling car in India, thanks to its recent generation update and strong appeal in the compact sedan market. In December 2024, it achieved a 28.93% month-over-month sales increase, selling 16,573 units. This success is due to its fuel efficiency, spacious interiors and Maruti Suzuki’s wide service network, making it a reliable and economical choice for Indian consumers.
Mahindra Scorpio N/Classic – 1,66,364 Units
Mahindra’s Scorpio N and Scorpio Classic achieved notable success, ranking ninth among India’s best-selling cars. In September, their combined sales reached 14,438 units, contributing to Mahindra’s record of over 50,000 vehicles sold that month. This trend continued in November, with 12,704 units sold. The Scorpio N’s success stems from its robust design, powerful performance and the Mahindra brand’s reputation. Its blend of modern features and rugged capability appeals to a wide range of Indian consumers, solidifying its place in the competitive SUV market.
Tata Nexon – 1,61,611 Units
The Tata Nexon has achieved the notable milestone of being the tenth best-selling car in India, highlighting its enduring appeal within the dynamic subcompact SUV segment. Throughout the year, Nexon demonstrated consistent sales performance, with notable achievements in the latter part of the year. In November 2024, the Nexon re-entered the top five best-selling cars, ranking fourth with significant sales figures.
This resurgence can be attributed to Tata Motors’ strategic introduction of the CNG variant, which broadened Nexon’s appeal to a wider range of consumers seeking economical and environmentally friendly options. The addition of features like a panoramic sunroof further enhanced its attractiveness.
The Nexon’s robust build quality, five-star Global NCAP safety rating, and a variety of powertrain options, including petrol, diesel, electric, and CNG, have resonated with Indian buyers prioritizing safety, versatility, and performance. Tata Motors’ improving service network has played crucial role in maintaining Nexon’s strong market presence, culminating in its position as the tenth best-selling car in 2024.
Outlook
Interestingly, the Toyota models which were based on the Suzuki Models, as part of a joint partnership, which includes the Glanza, Rumion and Hyryder (based on the Baleno, Ertiga and Vitara) haven’t made it onto the list. This proves to be an indicator of how Indian buyers aren’t enthused with the prospect of buying the same models from a different brand.
