The Indian passenger vehicle market wrapped up the year with a notable spike in retail sales, showing a year-on-year increase of over 25 percent in December 2025 compared to the previous year. This growth was driven by a mix of year-end promotions, festive offers, tax benefits, and heightened consumer interest as buyers aimed to purchase before the new year.
In the final months of 2025, the automotive landscape in India thrived, reflecting increased consumer confidence, attractive pricing from manufacturers, and a growing range of vehicles catering to various segments—from budget-friendly hatchbacks to stylish SUVs and premium sedans.
At the top of the December 2025 sales rankings is the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, with an impressive 22,108 units sold this month—a significant increase compared to December 2024. The Baleno’s popularity highlights a sustained demand for premium hatchbacks that offer a mix of affordability, practicality, and modern features.
Following closely was the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, clinching the second spot with 20,706 units sold. This crossover-style compact model from Maruti’s Nexa line has captured interest from buyers seeking a fusion of hatchback efficiency and SUV styling.
Claiming the third position was the Tata Nexon, which sold 19,375 units in December. This compact SUV has consistently resonated with buyers, thanks to its safety ratings, appealing design, and diverse powertrain options, including petrol, diesel, and electric variants.
Here’s the comprehensive list of India’s Top 25 best-selling cars for December 2025, detailing monthly sales volumes and overall market performance:
Maruti Suzuki Baleno – 22,108 units
Maruti Suzuki Fronx – 20,706 units
Tata Nexon – 19,375 units
Maruti Suzuki Dzire – 19,072 units
Maruti Suzuki Swift – 18,767 units
Maruti Suzuki Brezza – 17,704 units
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga – 16,586 units
Tata Punch – 15,980 units
Mahindra Scorpio – 15,885 units
Maruti Suzuki WagonR – 14,575 units
Hyundai Creta – 13,154 units
Maruti Suzuki Eeco – 11,899 units
Maruti Suzuki Alto – 10,829 units
Mahindra Bolero – 10,611 units
Hyundai Venue – 10,322 units
Toyota Innova + Hycross – 9,901 units
Mahindra XUV 3XO – 9,422 units
Kia Sonet – 9,418 units
Mahindra Thar – 9,339 units
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara – 8,597 units
Toyota Hyryder – 7,022 units
Toyota Glanza – 6,451 units
Maruti Suzuki Victoris – 6,210 units
Tata Tiago – 5,826 units
Hyundai Exter – 5,612 units
This overview showcases a diverse selection of vehicles appealing to Indian consumers, ranging from compact cars and family sedans to sturdy SUVs and multipurpose vehicles.
Several hatchbacks made their mark in the top 25, demonstrating the segment’s robust appeal in urban settings. Models like Baleno, Swift, WagonR, Alto, and Tiago are favored for fuel efficiency, easy handling, and low ownership costs, characteristics that are essential in crowded cities and for first-time buyers.
The SUV segment maintained strong sales, with models like Tata Nexon, Fronx, Brezza, Creta, XUV 3XO, Sonet, and Thar making significant contributions. These vehicles provide a higher driving position, appealing design, and versatile uses, which resonate with Indian families and adventurous buyers alike.
The presence of various SUVs in the top 10 indicates that this segment is successfully surpassing traditional sedans and MPVs in terms of consumer favor and sales dynamics.
Models like the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the Toyota Innova + Hycross demonstrate that sedans and family-oriented MPVs continue to have strong market relevance, appealing to customers who prioritize space, comfort, and long-distance travel.
December traditionally sees a spike in car sales in India, attributed to festivals, year-end discounts, attractive financing options, and promotional initiatives from manufacturers and dealers. These factors motivate consumers to finalize purchases before the onset of the new year, contributing to the observed sales increase this December.
Government measures such as decreased Goods and Services Tax (GST) on smaller vehicles have rendered specific models more affordable, bolstering sales particularly in sub-4m categories, which dominate the sales chart.
Both urban and semi-urban buyers played significant roles in driving sales up. Urban consumers tended to favor premium hatchbacks and SUVs, while rural markets exhibited strong interest in rugged options like the Bolero and Scorpio—vehicles known for durability and simplicity.
Maruti Suzuki demonstrated remarkable strength in the Indian market, with multiple models dominating the December 2025 sales. The performance of Baleno, Fronx, Dzire, Swift, Brezza, Ertiga, WagonR, Eeco, Alto, and Victoris highlights the brand’s wide-ranging appeal across hatchbacks, SUVs, and MPVs.
This success aligns with reports of Maruti Suzuki achieving record high overall sales for December 2025, reinforcing its market leadership and unmatched dealership network.
Tata Motors made its mark with models like Nexon, Punch, Tiago, and Sierra achieving robust sales. The placement of Nexon in the top three underscores the strong demand for compact SUVs that emphasize safety and features.
Mahindra similarly performed well with models like Scorpio, XUV 3XO, and Thar, showcasing its strength in rugged SUVs suited for diverse Indian landscapes.
Brands such as Hyundai and Toyota also represented well in the rankings, with Hyundai's Creta and Venue maintaining popularity, while Toyota's Innova + Hycross and Hyryder indicated sustained interest in premium multi-utility vehicles.
The December 2025 sales data provides broader insights into the evolving landscape of India’s automotive market:
Compact, Efficient Vehicles Remain Popular: Models such as Baleno, Swift, and WagonR continue to attract buyers seeking practical and fuel-efficient transportation.
SUV Preference Is Strong: The prevalence of SUVs like Nexon and Brezza underscores a consistent consumer trend towards vehicles offering elevated seating positions and flexible utility.
Segment Variety Is Expanding: The diversity in the top 25 list illustrates that Indian consumers are exploring a variety of vehicle types, from affordable hatchbacks to spacious MPVs and adventurous SUVs.
The best-selling cars of December 2025 provide a dynamic reflection of India’s vibrant automobile market. The data captures robust consumer demand, shifting preferences, competitive pricing, and the enduring strength of prominent brands like Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra, Hyundai, and Toyota. As the market heads into 2026 with fresh launches, upgraded models, and increasingly electrified options, these trends offer valuable insights into the choices of Indian buyers and the motivations behind them.
Disclaimer: This analysis is rooted in the December 2025 car sales data provided by reputable industry sources and automotive news outlets, representing accurate numbers and trends as of the time of publication.
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