With around 3.98 lakh passenger cars sold, the much-awaited month of October proved rewarding for the SUV segment, thanks to festivities such as Diwali and Dusherra bringing a wave of new buyers along. While the entire market benefitted from the ongoing festive demand, mid and full-sized SUVs cashed in the best with their appealing comfort, space, practicality and utility. This time around, even in the face of leftover stock piling up from the past couple of months, almost all major OEMs reported impressive SUV sales compared to preceding months with nine out of the ten bestsellers reporting positive year-on-year numbers. With the Hyundai Creta leading the pack yet again, October saw the grand entry of the Tata Curvv EV into the list, replacing the Tata Harrier. Here’s what the complete best-selling SUV chart looks like for the month of October 2024.
Highest Selling SUVs in India
Model | Units Sold in October 2024 | Units Sold in October 2023 | Y-O-Y Growth |
Hyundai Creta | 17,497 | 13,077 | 34% |
Mahindra Scorpio | 15,677 | 13,578 | 15% |
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara | 14,083 | 10,834 | 30% |
Mahindra XUV 700 | 10,435 | 9,297 | 12% |
Mahindra Bolero | 9,849 | 9,647 | 2% |
Seltos | 6,365 | 12,362 | -49% |
Toyota Hyryder | 5,449 | 3,987 | 37% |
Tata Curvv | 5,351 | - | |
Toyota Fortuner | 3,684 | 2,475 | 45% |
Tata Safari | 2,086 | 1,340 | 56% |
Hyundai Creta
An SUV that truly took the segment to the next level, the Hyundai Creta is one of India’s most iconic SUVs. A repeated bestseller every month, the Hyundai Creta performed exceptionally well yet again, managing to become not just the best-selling SUV of the month but also one of best-selling cars of the month. Selling 17,497 units, the Hyundai Creta registered a massive 34 per cent year-on-year growth. The key to the Hyundai Creta’s undisputed popularity is its rich legacy that is now boosted by the 2024 Hyundai Creta Facelift, which has been very well received by both buyers and critics alike. With modern and contemporary exteriors working their charm, the Hyundai Creta facelift hits the sweet spot with a host of new features, revamped interiors, a much-awaited engine addition and ADAS capabilities. That’s not all. With the Hyundai Creta N-Line offering sportier looks, stiffer suspension, better handling and tweaked exhaust, the Hyundai Creta as an SUV is as exciting as it gets.
Talking of the engines, while the pre-facelift Hyundai Creta somehow managed to dominate the market with its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines, the facelift finally added a 1.5-litre turbo petrol unit to the list that is being offered only with a 7-speed DCT automatic. For the naturally aspirated petrol engine and turbo diesel engine, transmission duties are done by a six-speed manual as standard, along with a six-speed CVT automatic for the petrol and a torque converter automatic for the diesel. Mileage on offer goes up to 21.8 km/l for diesel and 18.4 km/l for petrol, making the Creta a great pick in the segment, especially with the new turbo-petrol unit added to the list of engines.
Mahindra Scorpio
Smooth roads, tough roads, or no roads at all. If there is one SUV that can tackle it all, it’s the Mahindra Scorpio. Trailing behind the Hyundai Creta, the Mahindra Scorpio registered superb sales figures to proudly stand as the second best-selling SUV of the month, proving its mettle yet again. Backing a legacy that has been spread over two decades, the Scorpio has truly evolved into an unbeatable workhouse, especially in the seven-seater SUV segment. Ever since the launch of the Scorpio N, both the Mahindra Scorpio Classic as well as the Scorpio N have been the “Golden Jodi” that has elevated Mahindra’s position in the market. Offering buyers a choice between the tough Scorpio Classic, or the contemporary Scorpio N, the Scorpio badge as a whole managed to sell 15,677 units in October 2024, with a significant 15 per cent year-on-year growth. Much recently the Scorpio N also completed its 1.3 lakh sales milestone, which came in rather quickly, considering that the model debuted in June 2022. This goes on to show the sheer scale of the SUV’s unparalleled popularity, which helped the Scorpio badge emerge as the eighth best-selling car of the month as well.
Talking of engines, while the Scorpio Classic comes mated to a sole 2.2-litre diesel unit paired to a six-speed manual, the Scorpio N offers a 2.0-litre turbo petrol unit in addition to the 2.2-litre diesel engine, both of which come mated to a six-speed manual or torque converter automatic onboard. Both SUVs together are worthy choices in the segment, with a tough, durable body and true-blue SUV performance.
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
Completing its glorious second year in the market, the Grand Vitara has quickly reached new heights of popularity in no time. A near-perfect blend of premium features, efficient performance, balanced design, and superb practicality, the Grand Vitara offers a lot more for a lot less. That’s precisely the reason why the SUV sold 14,083 units in October 2024, managing to outsell key rivals such as the Seltos and XUV700, to become the second best-selling SUV of the month, with a 30 per cent increase in terms of year-on-year performance, compared to the 10,834 units the SUV sold in the same month last year.
Being a true Maruti prodigy, the Grand Vitara comes with two highly efficient powertrains that include a 1.5-litre mild hybrid unit with a five-speed manual or a six-speed torque converter automatic, and a 1.5-litre strong hybrid unit that comes with an e-CVT automatic. Talking of efficiency, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara proudly stands as the most fuel-efficient car in its segment, offering a mileage of 21.11 km/l on the Mild Hybrid Manual, 27.97 km/l on the strong hybrid automatic, and 26.6 km/kg on CNG.
Mahindra XUV700
Back in 2021 when the Mahindra XUV700 debuted, the SUV impressed everyone with its class-leading features that are now a norm in almost every modern-day SUV. Fast forward to 2024, the XUV700 continues to be an impressive SUV from every angle and has secured for itself a stable position as one of India’s best-selling three-row SUVs in India. Much like every month, the festive month of October was another successful run for the SUV, where it bagged the fourth spot on the list by selling 10,435 units, with an impressive 12 per cent increase in terms of year-on-year growth over the 9,297 units it sold in the same month last year.
With its superb comfort, perfect 5-star safety, premium interiors, and power-packed drivetrain, the XUV700 reported an impressive aggregate sales growth of 14% in 2023. Equipped with the most powerful turbocharged engines in its class along with an AWD drivetrain on offer, the XUV700 comes with a 2-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel engine, both mated to a six-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter automatic. Overall, the XUV700 is a tasteful blend of rugged performance and premium experience.
Mahindra Bolero
The festive month of October has been rather kind to the rugged and tough allrounder Mahindra Bolero. A perfect take for those seeking a practical, tough, spacious and rugged SUV, the Mahindra Bolero is built to last long and tackle every surface. And ever since the Bolero Neo joined the Bolero portfolio, the SUV is no longer limited to its classic, boxy and tough avatar. With the Bolero Neo offering a modern touch to the classic package, both the Bolero Neo alongside the classic Bolero are two of the most wanted SUVs in India. Managing to sell 9,849 units in October 2024, the Bolero saw a healthy 2 per cent increase in year-on-year growth which is quite a good considering Bolero’ sales slowed during the past couple of months. With this, the Bolero became the fifth best-selling SUV of the month.
Known for its impressive reliability, the Bolero offers high practicality and comfort for up to 7 passengers with a bodyline that’s tough, rugged and ready for any challenge. In terms of engines, both the Bolero Neo as well as the Bolero come powered by a 1.5-litre diesel unit mated to a five-speed manual transmission, however, the Neo offers more power and torque.
Kia Seltos
With the Kia Seltos facelift receiving a great response, the SUV has once again gotten back its lost charm, along with its long-lost turbo-petrol engine, and that too in a bigger 1.5-litre avatar. Not only that, there also are small but significant cosmetic changes and a bunch of new features on offer that are elevating the Seltos’s overall appeal. All this has helped the SUV become the sixth best-selling SUV in the festive month of October. However, considering how well the Seltos facelift did in its initial launch month, it seems as if the craze has gone down. With 6,365 units sold in October 2024, the Seltos performed fairly well, albeit with a 49 per cent decline in terms of year-on-year growth.
Talking of the engines, the SUV comes with a bigger and better 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit that comes mated to a 6-speed iMT/7-speed DCT, along with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol offered with 6-speed manual/CVT and a 1.5-litre diesel engine with 6-speed iMT/torque-convertor automatic.
Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
With September marking the completion of the Hyryder’s second year in the market, the SUV has surely been a tasteful and strategic addition to Toyota’s portfolio in India, owing to its hybrid powertrain and exciting package. Selling 5,449 units in the festive month of October 2024, the Hyryder has finally managed to improve its monthly sales figures, heading out in the right direction with its popularity slowly and steadily picking up pace. Reporting a strong 39 per cent year-on-year growth, the SUV showcased great numbers that are necessary for staying ahead of the competitors for a long time. With this, the Hyryder closed in at number seven.
The Hyryder is powered by two petrol engines: a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid system and a 1.5-litre strong-hybrid system, the Hyryder comes paired to a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic with the mild-hybrid engine, in addition to an e-CVT automatic for the strong-hybrid one. Available with both FWD and AWD drivetrains, the Hyryder offers an efficiency of up to 21.11 km/l on the Mild Hybrid Manual, 27.97 km/l on the strong hybrid automatic and 26.6 km/kg on CNG.
Tata Curvv
A breath of fresh air, the Tata Curvv has come in as a brilliant option that has everything it takes to offer a new approach to the SUV segment. Helping the SUV-Coupe segment reach the masses, the Tata Curvv can easily be credited for popularising the new silhouette that excites every onlooker, despite the Basalt having the first mover’s advantage. Adorned with contemporary looks coupled with top-notch features and a super spacious cabin, the Tata Curvv in both its EV and the ICE avatars is a game changer. Selling a healthy 5,351 units in its second month, the Curvv EV performed exceptionally well, dominating the eighth position on the chart which hints at a truly bright future ahead of it.
The Curvv ICE is equipped with three engines: a new 1.2-litre Hyperion TGDi Turbo petrol engine, a 1.2-litre Revotron Turbo, and a 1.5-litre Diesel engine. Transmission-wise, the Curvv comes mated to either a six-speed manual or a new DCT automatic with e-Shifters for the Hyperion Turbo, a six-speed manual/7-speed DCT for the Revotor Turbo as well as the Diesel Engine. Coming to the Electric Version, the Curvv EV comes equipped with two battery packs including a medium-range 45 kWh battery pack having an ARAI-claimed range of 502 km and a long-range 55 kWh battery pack having an ARAI-claimed range of 585 km.
Toyota Fortuner
Despite its rather hefty price tag, the Toyota Fortuner was and continues to be one of India’s most iconic and best-selling SUVs. The big-boy SUV from Toyota has impressed millions of buyers ever since it was first launched in 2009. A heartthrob SUV that offers a mammoth road presence coupled with exceptional performance, power-packed engines, superior comfort, and a build-to-last body, the Toyota Fortuner is class apart. Making a strong entry to the best-sellers list every now and then, the Fortuner emerged as the ninth best-selling SUV of the month with 3,684 units sold, with a huge 45 per cent year-on-year growth, cashing in the festive demand like a boss.
Powering the full-sized SUV are two big and power-packed engines that include a 2.7-litre petrol engine and a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine. Transmission duties are taken care of by a 5-speed manual for petrol and a 6-speed manual/6-speed automatic transmission for diesel. There’s also a 4WD diesel option that makes the Fortuner an unparalleled all-terrain powerhouse.
Tata Safari
Offered as a modern-day sizable SUV that takes care of the entire family, the Safari comes in as a superb option that brings to the table a spacious interior, comfortable ride quality, great features, and superb safety. Craving an update that was duly catered to by Tata Motors, the Tata Safari Facelift is very well received by both fans and critics alike. Yet to complete its first year in the market, the Safari in its new avatar brings in meaningful cosmetic changes, a host of new features, improved safety and a more premium appeal. Selling a good 2,086 units in the festive month of October 2024, making it take the tenth spot on the list, with the chart’s highest year-on-year growth of 56 per cent.
Sharing its powertrain with the Harrier, the Safari also comes with a 2-litre diesel engine mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed torque converter. Much like the Harrier, the new Safari facelift brings an updated infotainment system and Level-2 ADAS to spice up the competition.
