In a country obsessed with SUVs, compact SUVs serve up the perfect blend of rugged SUV styling and the convenience of a small car. No wonder compact SUV sales are hitting record highs every month! These pint-sized SUVs are elegant enough for city streets yet pack enough punch for small off-roading adventures.
Driven by the desires of young, urban buyers looking to make a style statement, compact SUVs are now outselling their sedan counterparts. The segment has exploded with new launches, facelifts and updated models. Read on to know about the top-selling compact SUVs in India in 2024.
Compact SUVs – The perfect blend of style, space and capability
Compact or sub-4-meter SUVs have recently become a rage in India. As the name suggests, compact SUVs are SUV-styled vehicles with a length of under 4 meters to avail of lower excise duties. However, don’t let the small size fool you.
Compact SUVs offer higher seating positions, better visibility, and go-anywhere capability while being easier to manoeuvre on city streets and park in tight spots. Under the hood, they pack the same powerful engines and advanced tech as bigger SUVs. Car insurance for compact SUVs often considers their safety features and lower repair costs, potentially resulting in lower premiums compared to larger SUVs.
No wonder compact SUVs are flying off the shelves, overtaking their sedan counterparts in sales. They are an ideal size for Indian cities and allow buyers to enjoy the SUV experience at an affordable price.
Best-selling compact SUVs in India 2024
The compact SUV segment in India has seen tremendous growth over the last few years. With improved features, technology, comfort and practicality, compact SUVs are now preferred by many buyers over hatchbacks and sedans. Here are the top best-selling compact :
1. Maruti Suzuki Brezza
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza saw a generation upgrade in 2022, which helped it retain its position as one of the top-selling compact SUVs. The new Brezza looks more premium and has new features like a heads-up display, 360° camera, sunroof, etc. The CNG variant delivers 25.51 km/kg. With 14,186 units sold in May 2024, the Brezza saw a 6% YoY growth over 13,398 units sold in May 2023.
2. Maruti Suzuki Fronx
The Fronx was launched by Maruti Suzuki in 2023 and has quickly found a spot among the top compact SUVs. Its stylish design, feature-loaded cabin and efficient petrol engines make it a compelling option.
It has a 1-litre turbo-petrol motor and a 1.2-litre petrol engine, offering high fuel efficiency of over 20km/l. The Fronx sold 12,681 units in May 2024, with 29% YoY growth over 9,863 units in May 2023.
3. Hyundai Exter
The latest compact SUV from Hyundai’s stable, the Exter, was launched in 2023. Despite being based on the Grand i10 Nios, the Exter has a unique identity. Its feature list includes a sunroof, dashcam, digital cluster, etc., while four airbags and ABS with EBD ensure safety.
Under the hood, it gets a 1.2-litre petrol engine with a CNG variant option. The Exter registered sales of 7,697 units in its tenth month since launch, securing the seventh position in May 2024.
4. Kia Sonet
The popular Kia Sonet received a facelift in late 2022, giving it a fresh new look inside and out. The updated model gets new exterior styling, a redesigned cabin with new features, and ADAS tech for higher safety. Engine options remain unchanged – 1-litre turbo-petrol, 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel.
Transmission choices include 5/6-speed manual, 6-speed iMT/DCT, and 6-speed torque converter auto. Sonet sold 7,433 units in May 2024, a 10% decline in YoY growth over 8,251 units sold in May 2023.
5. Hyundai Venue
Hyundai’s popular compact SUV, the Venue, also underwent a styling revamp and recently added new features. Available with 1.2 petrol, 1-litre turbo petrol and 1.5 diesel engines, the Venue impresses with its distinctive design, well-appointed cabin, segment-first features and Hyundai’s reliability.
While sales have slowed with growing competition, the Venue managed 9,327 units in May 2024, seeing a 9% decline in YoY growth over 10,213 units sold in May 2023.
6. Tata Nexon
The popular Tata Nexon got a facelift in late 2023, helping it stay relevant despite new competition. The updated Nexon impresses with its refined engines, improved mileage of up to 24.08 km/l, new features, and 5-star GNCAP rating. It has a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine mated to a 6-speed manual/AMT or the new 7-speed DCT auto.
The Nexon EV also has upgraded batteries for a more extended range. In May 2024, the Nexon sold 11,457 units despite a 21% decline in YoY growth over the 14,423 units sold in May 2023.
7. Nissan Magnite
Nissan’s value-for-money compact SUV, the Magnite, offers a premium feel and good features like an 8-inch touchscreen, 360-degree camera, TPMS, push-button start/stop, etc. Under the hood, it gets 1-litre NA and turbo-petrol engines with a max mileage of 20km/l.
Packed with tech and safety equipment, the Magnite appeals to many buyers. It sold 2,211 units in May 2024, with a 16% decline in YoY growth over 2,618 units in May 2023.
8. Tata Punch
The Tata Punch continues its reign at the top of the compact SUV sales chart in 2024. Launched in 2021, the Punch has struck a chord with buyers thanks to its attractive design, good features, 5-star safety rating and competitive pricing.
Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine to a 5-speed manual or AMT, the Punch offers a mileage of 18.9 km/l. With 18,949 units sold in May 2024, the Punch saw a 70% YoY growth over 11,124 units sold in May 2023.
Conclusion
With power-packed engines, creature comforts and the latest tech, compact SUVs deliver big thrills in small packages. The extensive options ensure there is one for every taste and budget. Compact yet capable, these pint-sized SUVs have secured their place as the ride of choice for Indian buyers looking to make a stylish statement. The future looks bright for these mighty midgets, and with Kotak General Insurance, you can keep your compact SUV protected on every adventure.