In the high-stakes battle for India’s passenger vehicle (PV) market, the festive season is the ultimate proving ground. All the big players—Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, and Hyundai Motor India—have been in a fierce fight for every customer.
Yet, amid all the noise, one familiar name has quietly held its ground. For the second month in a row, the crown for India’s best-selling car doesn’t go to a hatchback or a new launch, but to a compact SUV that has become a household name: the Tata Nexon.
A Story of Dominance
The numbers don’t lie. The Nexon pulled in an impressive 22,573 sales in September 2025 and followed it up with another 22,083 in October 2025. This isn’t a new trend; it’s a pattern.
This SUV has been the segment leader for three consecutive fiscal years, FY22, FY23, and FY24. And while total volumes in FY25 have settled slightly, the Nexon’s pull remains undeniable, with nearly 90,000 units sold even before the festive rush began.
What’s the Secret to its Success?
It seems to be a powerful combination of smart pricing and total choice. A recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate change, paired with festive deals, gave buyers a massive incentive. Prices dropped by as much as ₹1.55 lakh, bringing the starting (ex-showroom) price down to a very tempting ₹7.32 lakh.
Then there’s the “something for everyone” approach. The Nexon’s biggest strength is arguably its powertrain lineup. You can get it in a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol, a torque-rich 1.5-litre diesel, or a cost-saving bi-fuel (petrol-CNG). That CNG model is particularly clever, using Tata’s twin-cylinder technology to make sure you still have a usable boot.
And, of course, there’s the Nexon.ev. The electric version is a major contender on its own, offering both a standard 30kWh battery and a long-range 45kWh pack, giving drivers real-world range that fits their daily life.
Safety and Tech as a Standard
In a market that is finally putting safety first, the Nexon has been a pioneer. It’s not just talk; both the internal combustion engine (ICE) and the electric vehicle (EV) versions have earned a full 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating.
Tata hasn’t skimped on the features, either. LED headlamps, ventilated seats, a sharp 10.25-inch touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, six airbags, ESP, and a 360-degree camera all come as standard.
It’s this complete package that has allowed the Tata Nexon to fend off a swarm of tough competitors, including the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Kia Sonet, and Skoda Kylaq, for another month.
