Hyundai Motor India wrapped up December 2025 with a performance that clearly reflects post-festive normalisation rather than structural weakness. After strong retail traction through October and November—driven by festive demand and GST 2.0-led pricing clarity—December saw month-on-month (MoM) corrections across most models, while year-on-year (YoY) trends remained broadly stable.
Hyundai’s December numbers underline a familiar pattern: SUVs continue to anchor volumes, hatchbacks and compact sedans play a supporting role, and premium/low-volume products remain niche. The challenge, however, is visible cooling in key Nexa-style rivals’ segments, where competition has intensified sharply.
Hyundai Car Sales – December 2025 (Model-wise Performance)
| Model | Dec ’25 | Dec ’24 | YoY Growth | Nov ’25 | MoM Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creta | 13,154 | 12,608 | +4% | 17,344 | -24% |
| Venue | 10,322 | 10,265 | +1% | 11,645 | -11% |
| Exter | 5,612 | 5,270 | +6% | 5,705 | -2% |
| Aura | 4,925 | 3,852 | +28% | 5,731 | -14% |
| Grand i10 Nios | 4,010 | 4,489 | -11% | 4,559 | -12% |
| i20 Elite | 3,339 | 3,453 | -3% | 3,777 | -12% |
| Alcazar | 579 | 1,342 | -57% | 840 | -31% |
| Verna | 406 | 872 | -53% | 709 | -43% |
| IONIQ 5 | 69 | 24 | +188% | 24 | +188% |
| Tucson | 0 | 33 | -100% | 6 | -100% |
Big Picture: December Was About Normalisation
December 2025 marked:
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The cool-down phase after festive pull-forward
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Dealer inventory correction ahead of year-end
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Buyers postponing purchases to January for new-year registration benefits
For Hyundai, this resulted in MoM declines across almost the entire lineup, but YoY numbers indicate stable underlying demand, especially in mass-market SUVs and compact cars.
SUV Backbone: Creta and Venue Remain Central
Creta: Still Hyundai’s Crown Jewel
The Hyundai Creta remained the brand’s top-selling model with 13,154 units.
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+4% YoY growth
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-24% MoM correction
The sharp MoM dip follows an exceptionally strong November and does not indicate weakening fundamentals. Creta continues to benefit from:
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Segment leadership and strong brand recall
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Feature-rich trims and broad powertrain choices
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A loyal urban and semi-urban customer base
Even under the higher effective GST slab, Creta’s demand remains resilient—highlighting its status as a segment benchmark.
Venue: Stability Over Growth
Venue recorded 10,322 units, delivering:
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Flat +1% YoY growth
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11% MoM decline
Venue’s performance reflects:
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Intense competition from newer sub-4-metre SUVs
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Buyers gravitating toward fresher designs and turbo options elsewhere
Still, Venue remains Hyundai’s most dependable compact-SUV volume driver, supported by its wide service network and predictable ownership experience.
Entry-SUV & Compact Cars: Exter and Aura Perform Well
Exter: Holding Its Ground
Exter posted 5,612 units, showing:
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6% YoY growth
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Minimal 2% MoM decline
The numbers suggest Exter has found a stable demand band, especially among first-time urban buyers and those upgrading from entry hatchbacks.
Aura: A Quiet Standout
Aura emerged as one of Hyundai’s strongest YoY performers with 4,925 units.
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+28% YoY growth
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-14% MoM dip
The compact sedan is benefiting from:
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Lower total cost of ownership
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Renewed interest in value-driven sedans post-GST 2.0
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Demand from fleet and private buyers alike
Aura’s performance mirrors the broader compact-sedan revival seen across the industry.
Hatchbacks: Pressure From SUVs Is Evident
Grand i10 Nios: Gradual Decline
Grand i10 Nios sold 4,010 units, down 11% YoY and 12% MoM.
The model is increasingly squeezed between:
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Entry-level hatchbacks on one side
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Feature-rich compact SUVs on the other
i20 Elite: Premium Hatchback Fatigue
The i20 recorded 3,339 units, with:
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3% YoY decline
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12% MoM drop
Despite strong build quality and features, the premium hatchback segment continues to lose buyers to SUV-styled alternatives, both within and outside Hyundai’s lineup.
Premium & Niche Products: Weak Demand Signals
Alcazar: Sharp Decline Continues
Alcazar posted just 579 units, marking:
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57% YoY decline
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31% MoM drop
The three-row SUV is facing:
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Strong competition from rivals with hybrid and diesel offerings
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Internal overlap with Creta at the lower end
Alcazar’s numbers suggest the need for repositioning or product refresh.
Verna: Sedan Pressure Intensifies
Verna sold 406 units, down:
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53% YoY
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43% MoM
Despite being a competent product, Verna is struggling in a sedan market dominated by compact, tax-efficient offerings. Buyer focus has shifted decisively toward smaller sedans and SUVs.
Tucson: Effectively Phased Out
With zero units dispatched, Tucson appears to be nearing the end of its lifecycle in India, pending a clear update or repositioning.
Electric Corner: Small Numbers, Strong Signal
IONIQ 5: Growth on a Small Base
IONIQ 5 recorded 69 units, up 188% YoY and MoM.
While volumes are tiny, the growth indicates:
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Rising awareness of premium EVs
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Hyundai’s brand credibility in advanced mobility
IONIQ 5 remains a halo product, influencing brand perception rather than volumes.
Key Trends from Hyundai’s December 2025 Sales
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SUVs Anchor Hyundai’s Volumes
Creta, Venue, and Exter together account for the bulk of sales. -
Post-Festive Cooling Is Universal
MoM declines are consistent across segments, indicating normalisation. -
Compact Sedans Are Regaining Relevance
Aura’s growth shows renewed buyer interest in cost-efficient sedans. -
Premium Segments Remain Challenging
Alcazar, Verna, and Tucson struggle to find scale. -
EV Strategy Is Still Halo-Led
Hyundai’s EV presence is symbolic, not yet volume-driven.
What December Signals for Early 2026
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Creta will continue to dominate Hyundai’s portfolio
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Venue and Exter will need feature and variant updates to fend off competition
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Aura may see sustained traction as sedan buyers prioritise value
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Premium SUVs and sedans require repositioning or refresh
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EV volumes will grow gradually, not explosively
Conclusion
Hyundai’s December 2025 performance reflects a mature, stable brand navigating a cooling market phase. While month-on-month numbers softened after the festive peak, the company’s core models—Creta, Venue, Exter, and Aura—continue to deliver dependable volumes.
The data also highlights Hyundai’s immediate challenge: defending its mass-market strongholds amid rising competition, while simultaneously redefining its premium and electric strategies for the future.
December doesn’t raise alarms—but it does underline the need for product freshness and sharper positioning as Hyundai heads into 2026 in one of the most competitive phases of India’s auto market.
