Tata Nexon Tops January 2026 Car Sales, Beats Maruti Dzire as SUVs Rule India

India’s passenger vehicle market began calendar year 2026 with a strong tilt towards SUVs, led by the Tata Nexon. The compact SUV emerged as the country’s best-selling car in January, overtaking the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, as utility vehicles continued to dominate buyer preferences across segments.

Tata Nexon Records Highest-Ever Monthly Sales

The Tata Nexon started calendar year (CY) 2026 on a high note, registering its highest-ever monthly sales since its launch in India. The SUV sold 23,365 units in January, outperforming the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, which recorded 19,629 units during the same month.

This performance marks the Nexon’s best monthly showing to date, reinforcing Tata Motors’ growing strength in the compact SUV space.

Strong Start Continues Momentum From CY25

Both the Nexon and Dzire carried forward their strong momentum from calendar year 2025. During CY25:

• Maruti Suzuki Dzire sold around 2,14,000 units

• Tata Nexon clocked nearly 2,02,000 units

These numbers represented record annual volumes for both models, highlighting their sustained popularity in the Indian market.

SUVs Dominate January’s Top 10 Best-Selling Cars

SUVs accounted for a significant share of India’s best-selling cars in January. Apart from the Tata Nexon, five other SUVs featured among the top 10 best-selling cars in the country.

Non-SUV Models in Top 10

• Maruti Suzuki Dzire (Sedan)

• Maruti Suzuki Swift (Hatchback)

• Maruti Suzuki Baleno (Hatchback)

• Maruti Suzuki Ertiga (MPV)

Notably, all non-SUV models in the top 10 were from Maruti Suzuki, despite Tata Motors and Hyundai also offering strong non-SUV options in their portfolios.

SUV Segment Commands 55% of India’s PV Market

The SUV segment continues to strengthen its hold on India’s passenger vehicle (PV) market, commanding nearly 55% market share.

Key SUV Players

• Mahindra & Mahindra

• Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles

• Maruti Suzuki India

• Hyundai Motor India

Consumer preference for higher ground clearance, road presence, and feature-rich offerings has driven sustained growth in this segment.

Tata Punch and Nexon Deliver a Landmark Month for Tata Motors

January proved to be a milestone month for Tata Motors:

• Tata Punch recorded 19,257 units, delivering another strong performance

• Both Punch and Nexon posted their best-ever monthly sales

Cumulative Sales Milestones

• Tata Nexon crossed 10,00,000 cumulative units

• Tata Punch surpassed 7,00,000 units in just over four years and three months

These milestones underline Tata’s rising dominance in the mass-market SUV space.

Other Top-Selling Cars in January 2026

Here’s how other popular models performed:

• Hyundai Creta SUV: 17,921 units

• Maruti Suzuki Ertiga MPV: 17,892 units

• Maruti Suzuki Swift hatchback: 17,806 units

• Maruti Suzuki Brezza SUV: 17,486 units

• Maruti Suzuki Baleno hatchback: 16,782 units

• Mahindra Scorpio (N + Classic): 15,542 units

• Victoris SUV: 15,240 units

The figures further highlight the continued preference for SUVs across price bands.

SUV Trend Shows No Signs of Slowing

With compact and mid-size SUVs consistently outperforming sedans and hatchbacks, January’s sales data reinforces a broader industry trend. Buyers are increasingly prioritising versatility, safety features, and long-term value—areas where SUVs continue to score higher.