The Indian passenger vehicle market opened 2026 on a positive note, as consistent demand across categories influenced January’s sales rankings. Well-known nameplates such as the Tata Nexon, alongside newer and rapidly gaining models like the Victoris, secured spots among the month’s top 10 best-selling cars, highlighting shifting consumer tastes and sustained traction in the compact SUV and mainstream segments. In this article, let’s take a look at the top 10 highest-selling cars and SUVs in January 2026. Leading the list is the Tata Nexon range, including the Nexon EV, with the sub-compact SUVs together posting combined sales of 23,365 units in January 2026. The Nexon ICE is offered in two engine options: a 1.2-litre turbo petrol that puts out 120 hp (100 hp CNG) and 170 nm of torque. Another engine is a 1.5-litre turbo diesel with 113 hp power and 260 nm torque. Gearbox options include a manual or an AMT.
The Nexon EV can be had with 30 kWh and 45 kWh battery packs. Powering both variants is a front-mounted electric motor that delivers 145 hp and 215 nm. The 38kWh version offers an ARAI-certified range of 325km, while the 45kWh version provides a range of 489km on a full charge.Taking the second spot is the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, which recorded sales of 19,629 units in January 2026. The Dzire is powered by a new Z-series, 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, NA petrol engine with 82 hp power and 112 nm torque. Gearbox options will include a 5-speed manual and an AMT. It’s offered in four variants – LXi, VXi, ZXi and ZXi+. The manual gearbox is offered across all variants whereas the AMT gearbox and CNG option are available in VXI and ZXI trims.Claiming the third position are the newly launched Tata Punch facelift and the Punch EV, which together posted combined sales of 19,257 units in January 2026. The Punch facelift is priced from Rs 5.59 lakh (ex-showroom) and brings a restyled exterior, a refreshed interior, added features, and a new engine option. The new Tata Punch gets two engine options – a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 88 PS and 115 Nm of torque and a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 120 PS of power and 170 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual. The Punch. ev gets two main variants – Standard and Long Range. The standard gets a 25kWh battery with 315km of MIDC range and the LR variant gets a 35kWh battery with 421km of MIDC range.
Next is the Hyundai Creta and Creta electric with combined sales of 17,921 units in January 2026. The Hyundai Creta gets three engine options – a 1.5-litre turbo petrol with 160hp of power and 260 Nm of torque. A 1.5-litre NA petrol engine with 115 PS of power and 144 Nm of torque. A 1.5-litre turbo diesel with 116 PS of power and 250 Nm of torque. The Hyundai Creta Electric comes with two battery choices of its own. The standard version uses a 42 kWh battery with an ARAI-certified range of 390 km, while the long-range variant gets a larger 51.4 kWh pack that offers a claimed range of 473 km per charge. The fifth car on the list is the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga MPV with 17,892 unit sales in January 2026. The Ertiga is powered by a 1.5-litre, NA petrol engine which puts out 103 hp of power and 137 Nm of peak torque, available with a 5-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed AT. Features include a 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Arkamys sound system and automatic climate control and a three-row, seven-seat layout. Safety features include six airbags, ABD with EBD, an electronic stability program and seat belt reminders for all seats.
Next car on the list is the Maruti Suzuki Swift hatchback with 17,806 unit sales in January 2026. The new Swift is powered by a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine which puts out 82 hp of power and 112 nm of torque. The new Swift has claimed fuel efficiency of 24.8 kmpl for the MT variants and 25.75 kmpl for AMT.The seventh car on the list is the Maruti Suzuki Brezza subcompact SUV with 17,486 unit sales in January 2026. The Brezza gets a 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine that comes with mild-hybrid tech. The engine produces 103 PS power and 137 Nm torque and can be had with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The Brezza also gets a CNG option with a 5-speed manual gearbox option.The eighth car on the list is the Maruti Suzuki Baleno subcompact SUV with 16,782 unit sales in January 2026. The new Maruti Suzuki Baleno is powered by a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder, NA petrol engine which puts out 90 PS of power and 113 nm torque. Gearbox options include a 5-speed manual or an AMT.
The next set of SUVs on the list is the Mahindra Scorpio-N and Scorpio Classic, with combined sales of 15,542 units in January 2026. The Scorpio-N gets two engine options – a 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 203 hp and 370 Nm (manual) / 380Nm (automatic) or a 2.2-litre mHawk turbo diesel engine that delivers 175 hp and 400 Nm of torque. The Scorpio Classic is available only with a 2.2-litre turbo diesel paired with a manual gearbox. The last car on the list is Maruti Suzuki Victoris with total sales of 15,240 units in January 2026. The new Victoris is offered with two engine options – a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, NA petrol engine and a 1.5-litre, strong hybrid petrol engine. The 1.5-litre NA engine puts out 103 hp of power and 139 Nm of torque. It comes with two transmission options – a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic, and it also gets an AWD option. Additionally, it’s also offered with a CNG option with an underbody tank. The 1.5-litre string hybrid engine comes paired with an e-CVT automatic.
