India’s highly competitive sub-compact SUV segment (3.8m-4m) saw strong traction in February 2026. Total sales stood at 1,14,531 units, registering a marginal growth of 0.89% year-on-year as compared to 1,13,517 units sold in February 2025. However, on a month-on-month basis, sales declined 5.46% to 1,21,150 units. In January 2026. Tata Motors dominated the segment with both the Nexon and Punch taking the top two positions, while Maruti Suzuki’s Brezza and Frontex were far behind.
Sub 4 meter SUV sales February 2026
Tata Nexon, including its EV variant, emerged as the best-selling sub 4 meter SUV with sales of 19,430 units in February 2026. This increased by 26.59% year-on-year compared to 15,349 units sold in February 2025. Despite strong annual growth, Nexon sales declined 16.84% MoM from 23,365 units recorded in January 2026.
Nexon was followed by Tata Punch including Punch EV, which sold 18,748 units last month. Punch registered a growth of 28.77% year-on-year compared to 14,559 units sold in February 2025. Month-on-month sales declined marginally by 2.64% from 19,257 units sold in January 2026.
Maruti Brezza took the third position with sales of 17,863 units in February 2026. The SUV registered a growth of 16.05% year-on-year as compared to 15,392 units sold during the same period last year. On a MoM basis, Brezza sales grew 2.16% from 17,486 units sold in January 2026. Maruti Suzuki Swift stood at the fourth position with 13,898 units, although it saw a sharp decline of 35.24% from 21,461 units sold in February 2025. On a monthly basis, Frontex sales improved by 4.08% compared to 13,353 units sold in January. 2026.
Demand for Venue, Sonet remains constant
Hyundai Venue recorded 10,494 units in February 2026, a marginal growth of 3.64% YoY as compared to 10,125 units sold last year. However, sales declined by 15.46% from 12,413 units sold in January 2026. Kia Sonet reported 9,750 units, showing a strong growth of 28.32% compared to 7,598 units sold in February 2025. Month-on-month sales were down 11.35% from 10,998 units recorded in January 2026.
Mahindra Skoda Kailash, one of the new entrants in the segment, registered 4,532 units, showing a YoY growth of 24.64%. On a month-on-month basis, the Kylaq witnessed a notable growth of 40.75% compared to 3,220 units sold in January 2026, reflecting the growing demand for compact SUVs.
Hyundai Exeter recorded a YoY decline of 21.66% to 4,200 units as compared to 5,361 units sold in February 2025. Month-on-month sales also declined by 25.28%. Hyundai will soon launch the updated Exeter, making it an even more value for money offering. Toyota Taisse posted 2,854 units, down 20.81% year-on-year compared to 3,604 units sold last year. However, it registered 13.21% MoM growth as compared to 2,521 units sold in January 2026.
Nissan Magnite reported 2,230 units, marking a marginal decline of 4.21% year-on-year. Renault Kiger registered 701 units, showing a strong growth of 61.89% over the lower base. Maruti Jimny, although positioned as a lifestyle off-roader, registered 532 units, registering a growth of 38.18% year-on-year.
overall segment trends
Despite intense competition and increasing number of entrants, the sub-compact SUV segment remains one of the most significant volume drivers in the Indian passenger vehicle market. Tata Motors continued to lead the charts with the Nexon and Punch, while Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Kia and Mahindra continued to face stiff competition across multiple price points. With new launches and updates expected in the coming months, this segment is likely to remain one of the most dynamic spaces in the Indian automotive market.
