Top 25 Selling Cars in India October 2025: Festive Momentum Meets Policy Tailwind

September 2025 marked a structural reset for India’s auto market. The GST 2.0 rate rationalisation—effective September 22, 2025—reduced taxes on small cars (sub-4-metre, ≤1,200 cc petrol / ≤1,500 cc diesel) from the earlier 28% + cess to 18% flat, while introducing a 40% slab for larger or luxury vehicles.

October 2025 was the first full-month test of this new tax regime, coinciding with the peak festive cycle of Navratri–Diwali. The results are emphatic: consumer sentiment rebounded sharply, retail deliveries soared, and multiple OEMs recorded their best-ever monthly volumes for core models.

Top 25 Selling Cars in India October 2025

The Big Picture: A Market in Overdrive

The October data confirms what September hinted at—India’s passenger-vehicle market has entered a policy-fuelled expansion cycle.

• Festive-period buying converged with lower GST on small cars, producing a double-digit surge across showrooms.

• Retail channels report inventory clean-outs as buyers advanced purchases to capture post-GST price tags.

• SUVs continue to dominate (≈ 60 % of Top-25 volumes), but sedans and compact hatchbacks gained visible traction.

Segment Composition and Shifts

• SUVs retained leadership, yet the story is evolving from “bigger is better” to “efficient and tax-friendly”.

• Sedans—once an endangered species—rebounded courtesy of the Dzire, whose sub-4-metre footprint fits perfectly into the 18 % slab.

• Hatchbacks such as Wagon R and Tiago demonstrated that affordability paired with new tax math can still deliver high volumes.

OEM Scoreboard: Who Benefited Most

Maruti Suzuki (≈ 41 % share)

Dominated every body style—hatchback, sedan, SUV, MUV, van. The Dzire, Ertiga, and Wagon R were the top drivers, all within the small-car tax bracket. The introduction of the new Victoris SUV added excitement to an already dense lineup.

Tata Motors (≈ 16 %)

Nexon stayed at the top, while Punch and Tiago offered tax-efficient options. Tata is leveraging the GST shift with variant realignments and finance tie-ups, bridging mass and aspirational segments.

Mahindra (≈ 18 %)

Bolstered by Scorpio, Thar, and XUV 3XO, the brand’s rugged appeal remains unmatched. Notably, Thar’s +51 % jump defied the higher-tax bracket—proof of emotional purchase power during festivities.

Hyundai (≈ 11 %)

Creta stayed strong despite its higher-tax classification, while Venue and Exter’s absence from the Top 25 share list signals internal prioritisation of premium trims.

Kia (≈ 8 %)

Sonet and Carens posted sharp gains; Seltos stabilised. Kia’s balanced SUV-MPV portfolio is clearly benefiting from festive promotions.

Toyota (≈ 6 %)

The Hyryder’s triple-digit rise underscored hybrid momentum, and Innova Hycross continued as the benchmark for comfort and reliability.

Model-by-Model Insights

Tata Nexon (22,083 units; +50 %)

Still India’s favourite SUV. Sub-4-metre credentials keep it in the 18 % GST zone, and Tata’s broad powertrain palette—including EV halo variants—keeps showrooms buzzing.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire (20,791 units; +64 %)

The sedan renaissance continues. Its perfect GST profile (sub-4 m, 1.2-litre petrol) makes it one of India’s most cost-efficient purchases. Expect Dzire to remain top-three through Diwali.

Maruti Ertiga (20,087 units; +7 %)

From September’s lull to October’s recovery—fleet replacements and festive families revived demand. CNG and automatic trims add breadth.

Maruti Wagon R (18,970 units; +36 %)

A value juggernaut. Easy EMIs post-GST 2.0 and dual-fuel flexibility maintain its mass appeal.

Hyundai Creta (18,381 units; +5 %)

Despite falling under the 40 % slab, Creta’s strong brand equity shields it. Hyundai’s feature-rich approach continues to pay off.

Mahindra Scorpio (17,850 units; +14 %)

Demand outstrips supply in several regions. Rural and tier-2 traction remains unmatched.

Maruti Fronx (17,003 units; +4 %)

Still finding its long-term footing but enjoying sub-4-metre tax comfort. Design and turbo options sustain momentum.

Maruti Baleno (16,873 units; +5 %)

Stable volumes despite SUV cannibalisation. Expect special-edition variants to keep buzz alive.

Tata Punch (16,810 units; +7 %)

A consistent star. It thrives on the 18 % tax bracket, AMT options and high safety perception.

Maruti Swift (15,542 units; -11 %)

Volumes dipped slightly as buyers shifted to Fronx or Dzire. Discount programmes are likely to be intensified.

Mahindra Bolero (14,343 units; +46 %)

Rural India’s workhorse is back in fashion, aided by festival demand and agricultural liquidity.

Maruti Eeco (13,537 units; +16 %)

Remains India’s default van for MSMEs and transporters. MSME credit easing aided volumes.

Maruti Victoris (13,496 units; new)

A new compact SUV entry from Maruti, the Victoris fills the gap between Fronx and Brezza, instantly cracking the Top 15—an early success signal.

Kia Sonet (12,745 units; +31 %)

Post-facelift traction is visible. Sub-4-metre dimensions grant tax advantage, while interiors and tech packages draw younger buyers.

Mahindra XUV 3XO (12,237 units; +28 %)

Strong follow-up to its launch wave; 18 % GST bracket ensures competitive pricing. Now a mainstream sub-compact SUV.

Maruti Brezza (12,072 units; -27 %)

Facing internal rivalry from Fronx and Victoris. Price-feature repositioning is expected soon.

Mahindra Thar (12,029 units; +51 %)

The lifestyle icon’s momentum continues. Despite 40 % tax, its desirability quotient nullifies the rate impact.

Hyundai Venue (11,738 units; +8 %)

Steady performer benefiting from small-car GST relief and brand recall. Competitive intensity remains high.

Toyota Hyryder (11,555 units; +112 %)

October’s biggest % gainer. Hybrid narrative resonates strongly with post-GST price rationalisation.

Toyota Innova + Hycross (11,089 units; +25 %)

Still India’s gold standard for MPVs. Premium pricing justified by reliability and hybrid efficiency.

Maruti Grand Vitara (10,409 units; -26 %)

Mid-SUV fatigue visible. Needs refreshed pricing strategy to stay competitive under the 40 % tax regime.

Mahindra XUV 700 (10,139 units; -3 %)

Steady yet plateaued. The crowded premium-SUV space is squeezing growth.

Tata Tiago (8,850 units; +89 %)

A standout performer. Sub-4 m, CNG option, and 18 % GST relief make it the ideal first-car choice.

Kia Carens (8,779 units; +38 %)

Gaining from a sweet spot between MPV practicality and SUV styling. Fast becoming Kia’s quiet success.

Kia Seltos (7,130 units; +12 %)

Recovered marginally post-facelift. Needs stronger differentiation in a maturing mid-SUV field.

The Festive Tailwind and GST 2.0 Impact

Small-Car Advantage

Models within the 18 % slab—Nexon, Punch, Dzire, Swift, Wagon R, Baleno, Fronx, Venue, Sonet, Tiago, XUV 3XO—continued to build retail traction. Lower effective on-road prices translated to improved EMI affordability and faster loan approvals.

Mid/Large-SUV Neutrality

While Creta, Scorpio, Thar, Innova, Grand Vitara, and XUV 700 moved to the 40 % band, the simplified tax system (no cess) kept pricing largely neutral. OEMs tactically absorbed differences to maintain psychological thresholds—₹9.99 lakh, ₹14.99 lakh, ₹19.99 lakh.

Consumer Behaviour Shift

Dealers report advanced festive purchases—buyers pre-booked in late September but billed in October to leverage offers. Financing institutions also noted higher small-car ticket sizes as EMIs dropped 4–6 %.

Biggest Movers and Drags

Policy Meets Product: The Structural Reset Continues

• Tax Rationalisation = Volume Expansion: 18 % GST band has made compact cars the sweet spot once again.

• Hybrid Momentum: Hyryder’s leap indicates rising acceptance of electrified powertrains under the simplified tax regime.

• Sedan Revival: Dzire’s sustained top-two ranking revives hope for a broader sedan resurgence in 2026.

• Hatchback Resilience: Tiago and Wagon R show that value-centric cars still have a loyal base when affordability improves.

What to Watch – November and Beyond

1. Price Realignments: OEMs are expected to recalibrate variant ladders to maximise the 18 %-bracket benefits.

2. Inventory Health: If momentum sustains, December-end discounting could reduce sharply.

3. EV Spillover: Nexon EV’s halo is influencing ICE Nexon demand—expect similar dual-benefit playbooks across OEMs.

4. Sedan Expansion: With Dzire thriving, Hyundai Aura and Tata Tigor may push for renewed marketing.

5. Hybrid Playbook: Toyota’s performance may compel Maruti to fast-track hybrid scale-up.

The Bottom Line

October 2025 proved that policy clarity + festive emotion = record sales.
The first full month under GST 2.0 validated the government’s rate rationalisation, with consumers responding immediately to lower-tax benefits on small cars. SUVs still anchor the market, but sedans and compact hatchbacks have regained relevance.

Maruti Suzuki widened its leadership, Tata and Mahindra fortified their SUV strongholds, and Toyota’s hybrids scripted a breakout story. As we move into the post-Diwali stretch, the competitive line will sharpen—but for now, India’s car market is running on all cylinders, powered by a rare mix of policy, pricing, and pent-up festive optimism.