After a COVID-19 impacted FY2021, when overall car sales fell to a five-year low of 27,11,457 units, the Indian auto industry bounced back in FY2022 and crossed the 3-million mark with sales of 30,69,499 units. In the list of ten highest-selling cars of FY2022, Maruti Suzuki took eight spots, while the Tata Nexon and Hyundai Creta emerged as top-selling SUVs.
Here is a detailed look at the top 10 best selling cars and SUVs in India in FY22.
Maruti Suzuki Wagon R: 1,88,838 units sold
Maruti’s tallboy – the Wagon R – topped the sales charts, jumping two spots over FY2021 with 18 percent growth. Even as fuel prices continue to rise, this fuel-efficient, practical and user-friendly hatchback is seeing a strong demand for both petrol and CNG-powered models.
On offer are two petrol engines – a 67hp, 1.0-litre motor, and an 90hp, 1.2-litre unit. Both the engines feature Maruti’s fuel-saving DualJet technology, and they can be had with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT gearbox options. The CNG-version is available only with the 1.0-litre motor. The Wagon R rivals other similarly priced hatchbacks, like the Hyundai Santro and Tata Tiago.
Maruti Suzuki Swift: 1,67,827 units sold
The Swift continued to be a popular seller for Maruti Suzuki in FY2022 with 1,67,827 units sold, but it descended to second position compared to FY2021 with a 3 percent drop in demand. The third-gen Swift boasts of a chic design, neat cabin and a frugal 90hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine. It can be had with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT gearbox. Like some other Maruti hatchbacks, the Swift does not get a factory-fitted CNG option.
The hatchback rivals the likes of the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios in our market.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno: 1,48,187 units sold
India’s bestselling premium hatchback recorded a 9 percent decline as it recorded 1,48,187-unit sales in FY22. In December, however, the Baleno drove past the million-unit milestone after just six years of its launch. This February, Maruti Suzuki launched the second-generation of the model, which too seems to have struck a chord with the buyers. Within a month of the new Baleno’s launch, the carmaker gathered 50,000 bookings for the hatchback.
The second-generation model comes with a sole 90hp, 1.2-litre engine, which is mated either to a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT gearbox. The Baleno rivals other premium hatchbacks in the market like the Tata Altroz and the Honda Jazz.
Maruti Suzuki Alto: 1,45,167 units sold
Maruti Suzuki’s long-standing sales champion, the Alto, is showing signs of decline. It sold 1,45,167 units in FY2022, down 9 percent compared to FY2021. The budget hatchback segment, too, at large, was down 12 percent in FY2022. Buyers are increasingly preferring higher and better-equipped models which explains the declining sales in this segment.
The Alto has seen several updates in its lifecycle, and the most recent was in 2019, when the carmaker launched the BS6 compliant model. The hatchback comes with a sole 48hp, 0.8-litre petrol motor mated only to a 5-speed manual transmission. The Alto rivals lower variants of the Renault Kwid.
Tata Nexon: 1,24,130 units sold
Tata Nexon comes with as many as 40 variants spread between petrol, diesel and EV powertrain options. The SUV recorded a stellar 95 percent growth, selling 1,24,130 units in FY22. High on style and big on comfort, this compact SUV raced ahead of the Hyundai Creta as the bestselling SUV in FY22.
The Nexon comes with either a 120hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine, or a 110hp, 1.5-litre diesel motor. Both the engines get a standard 6-speed manual and an optional 6-speed AMT gearbox options. The Nexon competes in the crowded sub-4-metre SUV space comprising models like the Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV300, Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. The Nexon EV gets a 129hp electric motor with an ARAI-claimed range of 312km. The carmaker has also launched the long-range Nexon EV Max, which has an ARAI-claimed range of 437km.
Hyundai Creta: 1,18,092 units sold
The second-generation Creta is popular for its long-feature list. However, in FY2021, with 1,18,092 units sold, the SUV saw its demand dip and lost the bestselling SUV crown to the Tata Nexon. But as the bestselling Hyundai, it remains a strong contributor for the brand's passenger vehicle sales – 24.5 percent in FY2022.
The Creta comes with five engine and gearbox options. The engine options include a 115hp, 1.5-litre petrol motor, a 140hp, 1.4-litre turbo petrol unit, and a 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine. Depending on the engine, buyers can opt for a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque converter automatic, a CVT and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox options. It rivals other midsize SUVs like the Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and Nissan Kicks.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga: 1,17,150 units sold
The growing demand for the CNG variant of this popular MPV sees the Ertiga – which notched a smart 32 percent growth – top the SUV segment with 1,17,150 units sold. Maruti Suzuki recently launched the facelifted version of this popular MPV, with a more fuel-efficient petrol engine and a new 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Ertiga rivals the likes of the Kia Carens, as well as Maruti Suzuki’s very own XL6.
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza: 1,13,751 units sold
This compact SUV, one rank up from FY2021, recently crossed 7,00,000 sales since launch. It is the third highest-selling SUV after the Nexon and Creta. With 20 percent growth, demand remains as strong as over, despite it being one of the older models in the segment.
Maruti Suzuki is set to launch a new version with more features and an updated powertrain. It is likely to also get a CNG variant. Currently, the Vitara Brezza comes with a 105hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine mated either to a 5-speed manual, or a 4-speed torque converter automatic, and rivals the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and the Toyota Urban Cruiser.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire: 1,08,564 units sold
The only sedan in the list, the Dzire is feeling the heat of the consumer shift from compact sedans to SUVs. Demand for the Dzire, which received a facelift in 2020, was down by 7 percent with 1,08,546 units sold.
The Dzire comes with a 90hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine paired to either a 5-speed manual, or a 5-speed AMT gearbox options. A factory-fitted CNG option is also available. It rivals other compact sedans like the Honda Amaze and the Tata Tigor.
Maruti Eeco: 1,08,345 units sold
Being in the Top 10 list for the third year running is proof that the utilitarian and space-efficient Eeco’s USP to transport more than five people and their luggage in an economical way remains a big draw. Though it dropped from seventh place to 10th, the sales were up three percent with 1,08,345 units sold.
The Eeco gets a 73hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine. A factory-fitted CNG version is also available. Currently, there are no direct rivals to the Maruti Eeco.
For a complete FY2022 car, SUV sales analysis, pick up the latest May 2022 issue of Autocar India magazine, on stands now.
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