India’s sport utility vehicle market showed strong growth in October 2025, driven by festive demand and new tax reforms. The Tata Nexon emerged as the top-selling SUV, leading a robust performance across several popular models. Overall, the top 16 SUVs sold a combined 220,050 units, marking a significant 21.6 percent increase compared to the same month last year. T^[1]his surge highlights the continued dominance of SUVs in the Indian automotive landscape. ^[2][1]### Nexon, Creta, and Scorpio Drive Market Forward The Tata Nexon maintained its position as the country's best-selling car and SUV for October 2025. Tata Motors dispatched 22,083 units of the Nexon, which includes its electric variants. T^{[2][1][3][4][5][6]}his represents a substantial 50 percent year-on-year sales jump for the popular compact SUV. T^[2][3][7]he Nexon's wide range of variants and the success of its electric version have helped Tata Motors secure leadership in this competitive segment. ^[1][4][6]Following the Nexon, the Hyundai Creta secured the second spot among top-selling SUVs. Hyundai sold 18,381 units of the Creta, including its electric and N Line versions. T^{[1][3][8][4][5][7]}he Creta recorded a 5.05 percent year-on-year growth, demonstrating its consistent appeal despite new rivals entering the market. I^[1][3]ts premium features and available diesel powertrain continue to attract urban buyers. ^[1]Mahindra's Scorpio nameplate, encompassing both the Scorpio Classic and the newer Scorpio N, claimed the third position. The company sold 17,880 units of the Scorpio duo in October 2025. T^[1]his performance marks a solid 14.05 percent year-on-year rise, underscoring the SUV's strong popularity in both urban and rural areas. T^[1]ogether, the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Creta, and Mahindra Scorpio accounted for nearly 27 percent of all SUV sales in October. ^[1]### New Entrant Victoris Makes Strong Debut A significant development in October's sales was the strong entry of the Maruti Victoris. This new mid-sized SUV from Maruti Suzuki recorded 13,496 units in its very first month of sales. T^[1][5]he Victoris launched in September 2025 and quickly made it into the top-selling list, indicating strong acceptance among Indian SUV buyers. ^[1][9][10]The Maruti Victoris is positioned between the Maruti Brezza and Maruti Grand Vitara in the company's lineup. I^[9][11][12]t features a fresh design, modern amenities, and is available with petrol, strong-hybrid, and CNG engine options. N^{[9][11][10][12][13]}otably, the Victoris achieved a 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP, making it one of the safest vehicles in its segment. I^{[9][11][10][13]}t is also the first Maruti car to offer Level-2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features. T^[9][11][12]he Victoris aims to offer a blend of safety, technology, and multiple powertrain choices to meet diverse customer needs. ^{[9][11][12][13]}### Sonet and XUV 3XO Show Robust Growth Kia's sub-4 meter SUV, the Sonet, continued its positive sales trend in October 2025. The Sonet sold 12,745 units, reporting a healthy 31.4 percent year-on-year sales jump. T^{[1][14][4][15][5][16][17]}his was the Sonet's highest monthly sales figure to date and made it Kia India's top performer for the month. K^[14][15][16]ia India as a whole reported its highest-ever monthly sales in October 2025, with 29,556 units sold, a 30 percent year-on-year growth. T^[14][16][17]his achievement was attributed to strong festive demand and growing interest in its expanding electric vehicle lineup. ^[14][16][17]Mahindra's XUV 3XO also demonstrated strong performance, selling 12,237 units in October. T^{[1][18][4][5][7]}his figure represents a 27.98 percent year-on-year increase. T^[1][18]he XUV 3XO is positioned as a spacious, powerful, and tech-loaded compact SUV, further strengthening Mahindra's presence in this popular segment. M^[4]ahindra & Mahindra reported its highest monthly SUV sales ever in October 2025, with 71,624 units sold, a 31 percent year-on-year growth for its SUV segment. T^[19][20]his record performance was driven by models like the Scorpio, XUV700, and Thar, alongside the XUV 3XO. ^[19][20]### Market Trends and Future Outlook The Indian automotive market experienced significant positive momentum in October 2025, largely due to the festive season and the positive impact of GST 2.0 reforms. T^[3][19]hese factors boosted affordability and consumer confidence, leading to record-breaking sales for several manufacturers. C^[3][19][17]ompact SUVs and mid-size SUVs were key drivers of this growth, with 16 out of the top 25 best-selling cars belonging to the SUV category. ^[1][7][21]Automakers like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata, and Mahindra are benefiting from their strong presence in these popular SUV categories. T^[1][7]he consistent demand for feature-rich, safe, and versatile vehicles continues to reshape buyer preferences. T^[6][21]he strong performance of both established models and new entrants like the Maruti Victoris suggests that the SUV segment will remain a crucial growth engine for the Indian auto industry in the coming months. Manufacturers are expected to continue introducing new models and updates to capitalize on this enduring demand. ^[7]

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