India’s automobile market had a very interesting September 2025. New GST reforms, festive demand (Navratri), and changing consumer behaviour all came together to shake up the car sales charts. Several models broke records, and some usual favorites slipped slightly. Here’s a full breakdown of which cars sold the most — and what the numbers tell us.
Also ReadOverall Market Snapshot
- Total passenger vehicle Cars sales in September 2025 rose by about 5.5% year-on-year (YoY) compared to September 2024.
- New GST rates (effective from September 22) helped reduce vehicle prices and rekindled buyer interest following a lull earlier in the month.
- The festive season, especially Navratri, also boosted demand: dealers reported strong showroom footfall and higher bookings during that period.
Top 10 Best-Selling Cars in India (September 2025)
Here are the models that took the top spots in September 2025, with units sold and year-on-year (YoY) growth compared to September 2024.
| Rank | Car Model | Units Sold (Sept 2025) | YoY Growth* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tata Nexon | 22,573 units | ~ 97% |
| 2 | Maruti Suzuki Dzire | 20,038 units | ~ 85% |
| 3 | Hyundai Creta | 18,861 units | ~ 19% |
| 4 | Mahindra Scorpio | 18,372 units | ~ 27% |
| 5 | Tata Punch | 15,891 units | ~ 16% |
| 6 | Maruti Suzuki Swift | 15,547 units | ~ –4% (slight drop) |
| 7 | Maruti Suzuki WagonR | 15,388 units | ~ 15% |
| 8 | Maruti Suzuki Fronx | 13,767 units | ~ –1% (small decline) |
| 9 | Maruti Suzuki Baleno | 13,173 units | ~ –8% |
| 10 | Maruti Suzuki Ertiga | 12,115 units | ~ –31% (largest drop in top-10) |
*YoY = Year over Year comparison (Sept 2025 vs Sept 2024)
Also ReadKey Insights from the Top 10 Cars
- Tata Nexon’s Surge
The Nexon broke its own record with 22,573 units sold. That’s nearly double its figure from September 2024 (about 11,470 units). Clearly, Tata’s product mix including EV version, and the benefits from lower GST have helped. - Maruti Dzire’s Strong Comeback
The Dzire crossed 20,000 units this month, marking ~85% YoY growth. Sedans aren’t always focused upon in recent years, but this shows that value, fuel efficiency, and trusted brand still matter a lot. - Hyundai Creta & Mahindra Scorpio Ride the SUV Wave
Both models did well, benefiting from demand for SUVs. Creta’s growth of ~19%, Scorpio ~27%, shows SUVs are continuing their prominence. - Maruti’s Mixed Performance
Maruti Suzuki still dominates in terms of having many models in top 10. But several of their models (Swift, Fronx, Baleno, Ertiga) saw small or large drops. It suggests while the brand’s reach is strong, some demand-challenged sectors (e.g., MPVs or larger utility vehicles) are lagging. - Rise of Compact / Subcompact SUVs & Hatchbacks
Cars like Punch, WagonR, and Swift remain steady; their performance is particularly good in price-sensitive segments. Buyers are going for proven models with decent features, fuel efficiency, and service network. - Impact of GST Reforms & Festive Demand
The revised GST rates, effective in late September, played a big role in boosting sales. Demand picked up strongly post rate implementation. The festival season (especially Navratri) also helped push sales volumes. - Declining Models in Top 10
Ertiga saw a ~31% drop YoY. Baleno also dropped ~8%. This points toward shifting consumer preferences, sometimes away from MPVs or certain hatch models, possibly toward SUVs or crossovers.
Brand-Level Performance & Market Share
- Maruti Suzuki Cars remained the largest seller among automakers, with ~189,665 units sold in September 2025 (including exports). Domestic passenger vehicle sales were ~132,820 units. However, domestically, some entry-level cars and utility vehicles saw declines.
- Tata Motors Cars had their best month ever: ~ 59,667 domestic units sold, with Nexon leading the charge. Strong performance across EVs and CNG models.
- Mahindra Cars also saw healthy growth, especially in the SUV category, selling ~ 56,233 units in September 2025 — placing it third in brand rankings.
- Hyundai Cars slipped to 4th among mass market volume brands but still had strong demand in SUV models like Creta.
What Drove These Changes?
Several factors helped shape the September 2025 sales landscape in India:
- GST Rate Cut: The revision of GST on certain passenger vehicles significantly reduced prices, making cars more affordable. The demand spiked especially after September 22 when new GST slabs became effective.
- Festive Buying: Navratri and the festivals leading to Diwali typically encourage consumers to buy vehicles. Dealers reported surges in footfall and bookings during the first week of Navratri.
- Buyer Preference Shifts: SUVs and crossovers maintain strong growth, while compact MPVs and larger utility vehicles saw mixed or declining results. Models offering fuel efficiency, hybrid or EV options, or strong resale & service value had brighter prospects.
- Brand Trust & Network: Brands with wide service networks (like Maruti, Tata) benefited more. Additionally, new launches, refreshed models, or variants helped in pushing volumes (e.g., Creta N-Line, etc.)
Why This Matters for Buyers & Industry
- For buyers, this means better deals are likely, especially with the GST cut and festive sales. If you’re eyeing a top model like Nexon, Dzire, or Creta, now is an advantageous time.
- For automakers, this data shows where to focus: SUVs, compact cars, hybrids/EVs, and value-for-money models. Entry level utility vehicles and MPVs may need refresh or repositioning.
- Future months (especially October Diwali sale) are likely to see even more intense competition. Dealers may offer additional discounts, exchange bonuses, etc., based on this momentum.
What to Watch in Coming Months
Here are some trends worth keeping an eye on:
- EV & Hybrid Growth: Tata’s Nexon EV and similar models may pick up more share. Electrification is slowly increasing.
- Luxury and Premium Segment: Brands like Mercedes-Benz, MG, and others recorded growth. Buyers might gradually shift toward higher trim variants.
- Pricing Pressure: As companies adjust to new GST and cost structures, some inflation (for parts, shipping, etc.) may push prices up. Offers and discounts will likely become a key differentiator.
- Customer Expectations: Features, fuel efficiency, after-sales service, resale value, and variant options are increasingly important; brands that deliver here may gain loyal customers.