While the popularity of SUVs is reaching new highs every month, not everyone who aspires to own a big SUV ends up buying one. This is exactly what made compact SUVs find success in India. Due to compact city-friendly dimensions, nearly as many features as those in big SUVs, and affordable prices, compact SUVs fit into the urban lifestyle better than mid-size and full-size SUVs. Every month, we witness thousands of buyers choose compact SUVs over any other body type and so was the case in January 2025. Here are the top selling compact SUVs in India of January 2025.
Model | January Sales - 2025 | January Sales - 2024 | Y-O-Y Growth |
Tata Punch | 16,231 | 17,978 | -10% |
Tata Nexon | 15,397 | 17,182 | -10% |
Maruti Suzuki Fronx | 15,192 | 13,643 | 11% |
Maruti Suzuki Brezza | 14,747 | 15,303 | -4% |
Hyundai Venue | 11,106 | 11,831 | -6% |
Mahindra XUV 3XO | 8,454 | 4,817 | 76% |
Mahindra Thar | 7,557 | 6,059 | 25% |
Kia Sonet | 7,194 | 11,530 | -38% |
Hyundai Exter | 6,068 | 8,229 | -26% |
Kia Syros | 5,546 |
Also Read – Sedan Cars In India
Tata Punch
![Spinny Tata Punch](https://d2m3nfprmhqjvd.cloudfront.net/blog/20220907171737/Tata-Punch-2-1160x653.jpg)
The Tata Punch has been on a roll since day one in the market and is the best-selling Tata car today. Its macho appeal, premium interiors, high-set seating, and high riding stance that replicate those of larger Tata SUVs, make the Punch an exceptional value-for-money offering. Moreover, the Punch has bagged a full 5 stars on the global NCAP safety test and is one of the safest cars in India. The runaway success of the Tata Punch also became the trailblazer for the Hyundai Exter and the Maruti Fronx. In January 2025, the Punch sold 16,231 units and while this resulted in a 10 percent year-on-year decline, it was still the best-selling compact SUV.
What adds to Punch’s appeal is its versatility as it is available in petrol-powered, CNG-powered, and electric-powered variants. The ICE variants come with a 1.2-litre petrol engine paired with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT. While the CNG variants deliver a mileage of up to 26.99 km/kg, the EV variants are available with a 25 kWh battery and a 35 kWh battery that offer claimed ranges of up to 315 km and 421 km, respectively.
Also read: Top selling cars in India
Tata Nexon
![Spinny 2024 Tata Nexon](https://www.spinny.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Spinny-2024-Tata-Nexon-1160x653.webp)
With sales of 15,397 units in January 2025, the Tata Nexon took the second spot on the list of top selling compact SUVs, despite the 10 percent decline in year-on-year sales. The Tata Nexon is the car that turned the fortunes of the Indian carmaker much before the Tata Punch arrived. With an appealing design, segment-leading ride comfort, and exciting performance, the Nexon delivers a fascinating value for its price and this is what keeps it strong amidst the ever-rising competition. What makes its offering even more appealing is a 5-star G-NCAP-rated strong structure that infuses passengers with an inexplicable confidence. As far as sales are concerned, the Tata Nexon has emerged as the best-selling car in India multiple times and always remained one of the most dominant players in the Compact SUV segment.
In terms of mechanicals, the Nexon is available with a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine. Both engines come paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 6-speed AMT. Moreover, there is an optional 6-speed DCT automatic mated to the turbo petrol engine. The Tata Nexon EV comes with two battery packs. The 30 kWh battery pack offers a range of 325 km while the 40.5 kWh battery pack offers a range of 465 km.
Also read: Top Selling car brands in India
Maruti Suzuki Fronx
![Spinny Maruti Suzuki Fronx](https://www.spinny.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ezgif.com-jpg-to-webp-converter-1160x653.webp)
Maruti has a knack for making successful cars and the Maruti Fronx is yet another example. Launched in 2023, this Indo-Japanese Compact SUV was quick to climb onto the list of best-selling cars and is seemingly on the way to becoming one of the most successful Maruti cars. Adding one more month to its success streak, the Fronx became the third-best-selling compact SUV in January 2025, with sales of 15,192 units, which translated into an 11 percent year-on-year growth. The Fronx is based on the iconic Baleno and carries similar interiors, features, and even most design elements. Moreover, its price does not differ much from that of the Baleno especially in lower variants, making it an extremely appealing Maruti compact SUV.
Maruti has equipped Fronx with a 1.2-litre Dualjet petrol engine and a 1.0-litre turbocharged Boosterjet petrol engine. A 5-speed manual gearbox comes with both engines, while there is a 5-speed AMT for NA engine and a 6-speed AT for turbo engine. Like most Maruti cars, the Fronx is also available in CNG variants that come with a 5-speed manual transmission and deliver a mileage of 28.51 km/kg.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
![Spinny Maruti Suzuki Brezza](https://d2m3nfprmhqjvd.cloudfront.net/blog/20230421140233/2022-Maruti-Suzuki-Brezza-1160x653.webp)
In its eight years of run so far, Maruti Brezza has proven itself a sublime success and done great business for Maruti Suzuki. Whether it’s space, features, or interior quality, the Brezza is at par with all segment standards for a modern Compact SUV. However, what it brings as a bonus, is the reliability of the Maruti Suzuki and an impeccable engine refinement along with an appealing mileage. Moreover, unlike most of its rivals, the Brezza is available in CNG variants. While the launch of the Maruti Fronx a couple of years ago, has given buyers another capable Maruti compact SUV, the Brezza is still selling as well as it used to. In January 2025, the Brezza collected sales of 14,747 units, and despite the 4 percent year-on-year decline, it is on the higher side of the list of top selling compact SUVs.
Maruti offers Brezza with a 1.5-litre petrol engine that comes paired with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Moreover, with the mild-hybrid tech standard in all variants, the Brezza returns a mileage of 17.38 – 19.8 km/l. Whereas, the CNG variants return a mileage of 25.51 km/kg.
Hyundai Venue
![Spinny Assured used Hyundai Venue](https://www.spinny.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hyundai-Venue-1160x653.webp)
The first Korean car on the list, Hyundai Venue is a consistent player in its segment. Being the younger sibling of the Hyundai Creta, the Venue sits at a more accessible price point and thereby makes for a great deal as a premium Hyundai Compact SUV. The main attraction of the Venue lies in its upmarket features and the refined powertrains that make it deliver a premium experience as one expects of a Hyundai car. In January 2025, the Hyundai Venue sold 11,106 units, seeing a 6 percent year-on-year decline.
Sharing its powertrains with the Kia Sonet, the Hyundai Venue comes with multiple powertrain options. A 1.2-litre petrol engine comes paired with a 5-speed manual, a 1-litre turbo-petrol engine comes paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch automatic) and a 1.5-litre diesel engine comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Mahindra XUV 3XO
![Mahindra XUV 3XO](https://d2m3nfprmhqjvd.cloudfront.net/blog/20240430164950/Mahindra-3XO-1160x653.webp)
The Mahindra XUV 3XO has long been one of the best-selling compact SUVs. However, the facelift it received last year has taken its game to the next level. Now, the XUV 3XO feature some of the most coveted upmarket perks, such as a panoramic sunroof and Level-2 ADAS features that give it a great advantage over its rivals. Moreover, as always, the XUV 3XO is the most spacious car in its segment and with a 5-star G-NCAP rating, it is one of the safest cars in India. All these factors have boosted the sales of the Mahindra XUV 3XO after the latest facelift. In January 2025, the XUV 3XO sold 8,454 units, which gave it a 76 percent growth over the sales it did in the corresponding month last year.
The new Mahindra XUV 3XO carries forward its engines. It is equipped with a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine, a 1.2-litre direct injection turbo-petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. All three engines come mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, while there is a 6-speed torque converter automatic unit for both petrol engines and a 6-speed AMT for the diesel engine.
Also read: Top selling SUVs in India
Mahindra Thar
![Spinny Assured Mahindra Thar](https://d2m3nfprmhqjvd.cloudfront.net/blog/20221111131732/thar-1160x653.webp)
The Mahindra Thar is a big name in India, especially among the automobile enthusiasts. While the Thar is basically a capable off-roader, over the years, it has become a symbol of dominance for the butch appeal its attire exudes. While the 3-door Thar was already the best-selling off-roader in India, Mahindra recently made its portfolio even more dominant with the launch of the Mahindra Thar Roxx, which is the 5-door version of the standard Thar. The Mahindra Thar Roxx is significantly larger, more practical, and more comfortable than the regular 3-door Mahindra Thar, which makes it a better offering from a family travelling standpoint. In January, both 3-door Thar and 5-door Thar Roxx sold 7,557 units, which was a 25 percent growth over the sales Thar did in the same month in 2024.
Mahindra offers the 3-door Thar with a 2-litre turbo-petrol engine, a 2.2-litre diesel engine, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. While the 2-litre turbo-petrol engine and 2.2-litre diesel engine come mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 6-speed automatic torque converter, the 1.5-litre diesel engine gets a 6-speed manual transmission only. All variants come with a 4-wheel-drive as standard, except for the ones with a 1.5-litre diesel engine, which comes with a rear-wheel-drive.
Kia Sonet
![Kia Sonet](https://d2m3nfprmhqjvd.cloudfront.net/blog/20240110164148/new-Kia-Sonet-1160x653.webp)
The Kia Sonet sold 7,194 units in January 2025, which translated into a 38 percent decline in year-on-year sales. The reason behind this decline might be the launch of the all-new Kia Syros, which has been slotted right above the Kia Sonet. All the same, the Kia Sonet has been in the game for nearly four years and has carved a substantial space for itself. Like its sibling Hyundai Venue, the Sonet is known for its attractive wealth of features and refined powertrains that make it deliver a premium experience. Last year, the Sonet received its first facelift which has given it some cosmetic tweaks while the chief highlight is the addition of the Level-1 ADAS features that have upped its safety quotient.
Powering the Kia Sonet are a 1.2-litre NA petrol engine, a 1.5-litre diesel engine, and a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. For transmission options, a 6-speed iMT is available with the turbo-petrol engine and the diesel engine, however, the diesel engine gets a 6-speed manual gearbox. For automatic transmission options, a 7-speed DCT automatic and a 6-speed torque converter automatic are offered with the turbo-petrol engine and the diesel engine respectively.
Hyundai Exter
![Spinny Assured Hyundai Exter](https://www.spinny.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Spinny-Assured-Hyundai-Exter-1160x653.webp)
The Hyundai Exter has spent over a year in the Indian car market and it’s fair to say that the car has turned out to be another success for the Korean carmaker. While the Exter has yet to beat its rivals, the Maruti Fronx and the Tata Punch, it is posing a great challenge to both of them. With a practical design for better usability, the Exter brings the trademark Hyundai qualities, such as a good wealth of upmarket features and refined powertrains. Sharing its underpinnings and interiors with the Grand i10 Nios and the Aura, the Exter is an appealing offering as an affordable Hyundai Compact SUV and this is clear from its sales figures. However, last month, like many cars, the Exter saw a drop in sales as compared to its sales in January 2024. On the latest sales chart, the Exter put up sales of 6,068 units, which translated into a 26 percent decline in its year-on-year sales.
Hyundai offers the Exter with a 1.2-litre petrol engine that transmits power via either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT. Like the Grand i10 Nios and the Aura, the Exter is also available in CNG variants that deliver a mileage of 27.1 km/kg while its petrol mileage is 19.4 km/l.
Kia Syros
![Kia Syros](https://www.spinny.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kia-Syros-1160x653.webp)
Kia’s latest offering, Kia Syros has been recently launched and comes in as a sensational product. It has been positioned between the Kia Sonet compact SUV and the Kia Seltos mid-size SUV. Not only is the Syros larger than the Kia Sonet, but also richer in terms of features. The all-new Korean compact SUV packs an 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, powered driver’s seat, Level-2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) features, and more. In only one month after its launch, the Syros has comfortably made it to the list of top selling compact SUVs, with sales of 5,546 units in January 2025.
The Kia Syros is powered by a 1-litre turbo petrol engine and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine. While a 6-speed manual transmission is offered with both engines, a 7-speed DCT automatic is offered with the petrol engine and a 6-speed torque converter automatic is available with the diesel engine.
Excellent and compact review .
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