Hey everyone! Welcome back to EngineeringMix.
If you have been waiting to see how the car market wrapped up 2025, the numbers are finally in. And let me tell you, December was wild.
Usually, December is a slow month. People wait for the new year to get a “2026 model” tag. But this time? Sales went through the roof. We saw some crazy upsets, a new king of the hill, and a massive shift in what Indians are buying.
If you are planning to buy a car soon or just love keeping up with the auto world, this report is for you. I’ve stripped away all the boring corporate talk to give you just the real, juicy stats you need.
Let’s dive in!
The Big Story: What Happened in December 2025?
Before we look at the list, here is the “tea” on what went down:
- Maruti Suzuki is still the boss: No surprises here. They are selling more cars than the next three brands combined.
- The Big Upset: Mahindra beat Tata Motors and Hyundai! Yes, the SUV maker took the #2 spot. This is huge because Mahindra doesn’t sell small, cheap cars—they only sell big SUVs.
- Hatchbacks Strike Back: While everyone talks about SUVs, the Maruti Baleno quietly stole the show and became the #1 best-selling car of the month.
Top 10 Best-Selling Car Brands (December 2025)
Here is the straightforward leaderboard. These numbers show how many cars were actually dispatched to dealers last month.
| Rank | Brand | Sales Units | Year-on-Year Growth | Top Model(s) | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maruti Suzuki | 178,646 | High | Baleno, Dzire, Brezza | Unbeatable Volume & Service Network |
| 2 | Mahindra | 50,946 | +23% | Scorpio-N, XUV700 | Premium SUV Dominance |
| 3 | Tata Motors | 50,046 | +14.1% | Nexon, Punch, Tiago EV | Safety Ratings (5-Star) & EVs |
| 4 | Hyundai | 42,416 | +6.6% | Creta, Venue | Feature-Rich Interiors |
| 5 | Toyota | 34,157 | +33% | Innova Hycross, Hyryder | Hybrid Technology Leader |
| 6 | Kia | 18,659 | Stable | Seltos, Sonet | Modern Design & Tech |
| 7 | MG Motor | 6,500 | +19% | Windsor EV, Hector | Tech Features & EVs |
| 8 | Honda | 5,807 | +3.6% | City, Amaze | Refined Sedan Comfort |
| 9 | Skoda | ~4,500 | Recovering | Kylaq, Kushaq | Driving Dynamics |
| 10 | Volkswagen | ~3,000 | Flat | Virtus, Taigun | Performance & Safety |
Look at the gap between #1 and #2. Maruti is playing in a different league. But the real fight is for second place. Mahindra beating Tata by just 900 units shows how fierce the competition is right now.
The “Big 3” Analysis—My Honest Take
Let’s break down the winners. Why are people buying these brands?
1. Maruti Suzuki—The “No-Brainer” Choice
Maruti sold over 1.78 lakh cars. That is insane volume.
- Why they win: It’s simple—service and resale.
- Star Performer: The Baleno. It offers premium features at a price that doesn’t hurt your wallet.
- My thought: If you want a car that just works and holds its value, you still can’t beat a Maruti.
2. Mahindra—The New #2 (The SUV King)
This is the biggest news of the month. Mahindra sold 50,946 SUVs.
- Why they win: Road presence. The Scorpio-N and XUV700 are status symbols now.
- The “Wait” Issue: The waiting periods are dropping, which means more people are finally getting their cars delivered.
- My thought: Mahindra proves that Indians are willing to spend Rs 20 Lakh+ if the product feels “macho” and powerful.
3. Tata Motors—The EV & Safety Leader
Tata is right on Mahindra’s heels with 50,046 units.
- Why they win: Safety (5-star ratings) and EVs.
- EV Boom: They sold nearly 7,000 EVs in December alone. That’s a 24% jump!.
- My thought: If you care about safety ratings or want to go electric, Tata is your default choice.
Top 5 Best-Selling Car Models (December 2025)
Now, let’s talk about the specific cars that everyone is buying. If you see a lot of new cars on the road with “Temp” plates, they are probably one of these.
1. Maruti Baleno (The Monthly Winner)
- Units Sold: 22,108
- Why it’s #1: It’s the perfect city car. It’s spacious, loaded with tech (360 camera, HUD), and gives great mileage. It beat all the SUVs this month!
2. Maruti Fronx (The Stylish Contender)
- Units Sold: ~20,700
- Why it’s hot: It looks like a baby Grand Vitara. People love the “Coupe SUV” look. It’s basically a Baleno on steroids, and clearly, people are willing to pay extra for that style.
3. Tata Nexon (The People’s SUV)
- Units Sold: ~19,400
- Why it’s popular: It’s an all-rounder. Petrol, Diesel, EV, CNG—you name it, Nexon has it. Plus, that 5-star safety tag is a huge selling point for families.
4. Mahindra Scorpio-N (The Beast)
- Units Sold: ~18,000 (Estimated based on trend)
- Why it’s here: Demand is crazy. It offers 4×4 capability and feels massive on the road. It’s the favorite for anyone who wants a “real” SUV.
5. Maruti Dzire (The Yearly Champion)
- Status: Best Selling Car of 2025 (Full Year)
- The Story: While Baleno won December, the Dzire won the whole year. It’s the backbone of Indian transport—loved by families and taxi fleets alike for its comfort and unbeatable CNG mileage.
3 Key Trends You Need to Know
If you are an auto enthusiast, you need to watch these trends in 2026:
1. The “Premium” Shift
Notice something? The top cars aren’t the cheapest ones anymore. The Alto isn’t in the top 3. The Baleno, Fronx, and Nexon are all “premium” cars costing Rs 8-12 Lakhs. We are spending more on better cars.
2. Hybrids are Booming
Toyota’s sales jumped 33%. Why? Because of hybrids. Cars like the Innova Hycross are flying off shelves because they give diesel-like mileage without the diesel engine noise.
3. Electric is Normal Now
With Tata selling 7,000 EVs and MG doing well with the Windsor, EVs aren’t just “future tech” anymore. They are a real option for your daily commute.
Buying Advice for January 2026
So, should you buy a car now?
- Yes, if you want a deal: Dealers still have 2025 stock left. You can negotiate hard over these.
- No, if you want the latest plate: If resale value is your #1 priority, wait for a 2026 manufactured model (but be ready to pay full price).
My Recommendation: If you want a city car, check out the Baleno or Fronx. If you want a highway cruiser, the Scorpio-N or Creta is still the king.
(Source: cartoq, angelone, carhp)
