As far as space, comfort, and utility are concerned, SUVs are unanimously the most ideal category of cars. However, in the last decade or so, Compact SUVs with their city-friendly character and a good dose of full-fledged SUV feel at relatively affordable prices, have emerged as the favourite alternatives of the larger mid-size and full-size SUVs. Every month, Compact SUVs make thousands of buyers choose them over any other body type and so was the case in February 2025. Here are the top selling Compact SUVs in India of February 2025.
Model | February Sales - 2025 | February Sales - 2024 | Y-O-Y Growth |
Maruti Suzuki Fronx | 21,461 | 14,168 | 51% |
Maruti Suzuki Brezza | 15,392 | 15,765 | -2% |
Tata Nexon | 15,349 | 14,395 | 7% |
Tata Punch | 14,559 | 18,438 | -21% |
Hyundai Venue | 10,125 | 8,993 | 13% |
Mahindra Thar | 9,248 | 5,812 | 59% |
Mahindra XUV 3XO | 7,861 | 4,218 | 86% |
Kia Sonet | 7,598 | 9,102 | -17% |
Kia Syros | 5,425 |
| |
Hyundai Exter | 5,361 | 7,582 | -29% |
Also Read – Sedan Cars In India
Maruti Suzuki Fronx
Who would have thought that a car which in its nascent stages was deemed a risky venture, would become the top-selling car of its segment? Well, that’s Maruti Fronx for you – a well planned and executed masterstroke by India’s largest carmaker. In February 2025, the Marutu Fronx sold 21,461 units, gaining an impressive 51 percent year-on-year growth. Spawned from the iconic Maruti Baleno, the Maruti Fronx is a practical crossover, which combines the strengths of a compact SUV with the practicality of a hatchback. The Maruti Fronx was launched in 2023 and was an instant hit thanks to the tried-and-trusted package of the Baleno, which it offers in a compact SUV form. From the Baleno, the Fronx 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.
Also read: Top Selling Hatchbacks in India
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
In its nine years of run so far, which is the longest one in the compact SUV segment, 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 in the form of Maruti Fronx, Maruti placed another contender in the compact SUV segment a year ago, the Maruti Brezza is still as popular as ever. Last month, the Maruti Brezza raked in sales of 15,392 units and while this is a 2 percent decline in its year-on-year sales, it once again managed to beat its arch-rival, Tata Nexon.
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.
Also read: Top selling cars in India
Tata Nexon
Selling 15,349 units in February 2025, Tata Nexon saw a 7 percent rise in its year-on-year sales and regained the title of the best-selling Tata car after a long time. Even though Tata Nexon’s popularity has seen a considerable dip in recent years, its sales cannot be called poor by any stretch of the imagination. With over 7 lakh units sold so far, the Indian compact SUV has been the greatest force behind Tata’s resurgence and establishment as one of the leading carmakers in India. While the stylish design Nexon is a head turner, it substantiates the segment-best ride comfort and the reassurance of great passenger safety thanks to the 5-star Global NCAP safety rating. Moreover, since it is available in petrol, diesel, CNG, and EV variants, the Nexon can be owned in a variety of forms.
In terms of mechanicals, the Nexon has 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, while the CNG variants are available with only a manual transmission. 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.
Tata Punch
The Tata Punch has been on a roll since day one in the market and while the Tata Nexon overtook it last month, usually it remains the best-selling Tata car. Its macho appeal, premium interiors, high-set seating, and high riding stance that replicate those of larger Tata SUVs, make it 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 February 2025, the Punch sold 14,559 units and while this resulted in a 21 percent year-on-year decline, it was still one of the best-selling compact SUVs and one of the best-selling cars.
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 SUVs in India
Hyundai Venue
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. All the same, the recent growth in demand for its direct sibling, Sonet, seems to have slightly cut Venue’s sales, given both cars share the same platform but differ in their design. In February 2025, the Hyundai Venue sold 10,125 units, seeing a 13 percent year-on-year growth.
Like the 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 Thar
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 February 2025, both 3-door Thar and 5-door Thar Roxx sold 9,248 units, which was a 59 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.
Mahindra XUV 3XO
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 features 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 February 2025, the XUV 3XO sold 7,861 units, which gave it an 86 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.
Kia Sonet
The Kia Sonet sold 7,598 units in February 2025, which translated into a 17 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.
Kia Syros
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. Continuing its strong performance, the Syros comfortably made it to the list of top selling compact SUVs once again, with sales of 5,425 units in February 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.
Hyundai Exter
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, the Exter saw a drop in sales as compared to its sales in February 2024. On the latest sales chart, the Exter put up sales of 5,361 units, which translated into a 29 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.
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