March 2025: Top Selling Compact SUVs in India

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 choosing compact SUVs over any other body type, and so was the case in March 2025. Here are the top selling compact SUVs in India for March 2025.

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Tata Punch

While both Nexon and Punch have been radically successful, the Tata Punch has climbed to unprecedented peaks in recent years. As a matter of fact, the Punch broke Maruti Suzuki’s 40-year-long dominant streak by becoming the best-selling car of the calendar year 2024. Continuing its strong performance, the Punch sold 17,714 units in March 2025 and gained 1 percent year-on-year growth. When it was launched in 2021, a car of its type was not in the picture, but its earth-shattering success drove Maruti and Hyundai to jump into the relatively new segment with Fronx and Exter, respectively. 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.

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

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

In its nine years of run so far, which is the longest one in the compact SUV segment, the 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 on 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 16,546 units, and gaining 13 percent growth 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.

Tata Nexon

Selling 16,366 units in March 2025, Tata Nexon saw a 16 percent rise in its year-on-year sales. 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 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.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

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 fourth best-selling compact SUV in March 2025, with sales of 13,669 units, which translated into a 9 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 the NA engine and a 6-speed AT for the 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.

Hyundai Venue

The first Korean car on the list, the 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 that both cars share the same platform but differ in their design. In March 2025, the Hyundai Venue sold 10,441 units, seeing a 9 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 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 March 2025, both 3-door Thar and 5-door Thar Roxx sold 8,936 units, which was a 48 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

The Kia Sonet sold 7,705 units in March 2025, which translated into a 12 percent decline in year-on-year sales. The decline is much induced by the runaway success of the recently launched Kia Syros compact SUV, 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.

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 March 2025, the XUV 3XO sold 7,055 units, which gave it a staggering 240 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.

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, Exter saw a drop in sales as compared to its sales in March 2024. On the latest sales chart, the Exter put up sales of 5,901 units, which translated into a 30 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.

Skoda Kylaq

The smallest Skoda SUV, Skoda Kylaq, is Skoda’s first-ever car to reach the list of top selling compact SUVs. To accomplish this feat, the Kylaq sold 5327 units in March 2025. Launched in November 2024, the Kylaq has tasted big and quick success, thanks to the reasonable price Skoda managed for it, considering Skoda cars are generally seen as pricy affairs. What is also impressive, is that the Kylaq is at par with segment standards as far as space, features, and performance are concerned and it brings all this, while maintaining the status of a premium brand like Skoda.

The Skoda Kylaq is powered by a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine mated to either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic.