Despite the SUV mania taking over the Indian market, hatchback sales continue to maintain an assertive yet stable position each month. A big reason behind this steady domination is the affordable price tag and the city-bred approach the segment is famous for. Loaded with features, small cars offer user-friendly handling with impeccable fuel efficiency, making them an irresistible pick, especially for city commuters as well as first-time car buyers. With the financial year ending in March, the month served as a golden opportunity, especially for those looking to seek depreciation benefits. As a result, hatchback sales continued to charm buyers with the Maruti Suzuki WagonR leading the pack. So if you too are planning to bring home a hatchback for your family, then here are the best-sellers for March 2024.
Model | Units Sold in March 2024 | Units Sold in March 2023 | Y-O-Y Growth |
Maruti Suzuki Wagon R | 16,368 | 17,305 | -5% |
15,728 | 17,559 | -10% | |
Maruti Suzuki Baleno | 15,588 | 16,168 | -4% |
Maruti Suzuki Alto | 9,332 | 9,139 | 9% |
Tata Tiago | 6,381 | 7,366 | -13% |
Tata Altroz | 5,985 | 3,862 | 55% |
Hyundai i20 | 5,155 | 6,596 | -22% |
Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS | 5,034 | 9,304 | -46% |
Toyota Glanza | 4,319 | 3,365 | 28% |
Maruti Suzuki Celerio | 3,478 | 4,646 | -25% |
Maruti Suzuki WagonR
A name that will always be remembered as one of India’s most successful hatchbacks, the Maruti Suzuki WagonR has an appeal that has impressed millions over the years. Be it, everyday consumers or commercial fleet operators, the WagonR was and continues to be the first choice owing to its impeccable fuel efficiency, the classic tall boy looks, spacious interiors and balanced ride quality. Selling a good 16,368 units in March 2024, the WagonR strongly made its presence felt yet again, becoming the best-selling hatchback in addition to being the third best-selling car of the month, despite a little 5% decline in year-on-year growth.
Powering the WagonR are two highly refined and efficient engines that include a 1.2-litre and a 1-litre unit, both of which come mated to a five-speed manual/AMT. What makes the WagonR a true success story is its impeccable efficiency of up to 25.19 km/l on petrol and 34.05 km/kg on CNG. However, if we look at the legacy of the WagonR in India, the hatchback is surely due for either a facelift or a generation upgrade.
Maruti Suzuki Swift
Slipping a place to finish at the third spot, the Maruti Suzuki Swift did quite well in terms of numbers. With over 25 lakh units sold since its inception, the Maruti Suzuki Swift has its name written down in history books. What makes the hatchback the number one option for millions is its power-packed engine and great efficiency coupled with exhilarating driving dynamics and impeccable handling. Indeed a swift car on the road, the Swift’s humble price tag makes the package extremely hard to ignore. Selling a good 15,728 units in March 2024, the hatchback despite registering a 10% decline in year-on-year growth managed to outperform several competitors including the likes of long-term rivals such as the Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz etc. With this, the Swift finished as the second best-selling hatchback and the fifth best-selling car of the month.
In terms of power, the Swift comes with a 1.2-litre DualJet petrol engine onboard, that is paired to a five-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT automatic. With mileage figures as high as 22.56 km/l for petrol and 30.90 km/kg for CNG, the Swift comes as a superb option, especially in the 6 to 10 Lakh price bracket, where it has been dominating for years.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno
Slipping down a place to finish as the third best-selling hatchback of the month in addition to being the sixth best-selling car of the month, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno performed fairly well, but not as good as it already has this year. With 15,588 units sold in March 2024, the Baleno defeated several rivals within and beyond the hatchback segment despite a saddening 4% decline in terms of year-on-year growth. Quickly making a mark for itself when it was first launched in 2015, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, now in its second generation, has yet again proved why the hatchback is here to stay. The credit for Baleno’s newfound success can be attributed to the hatchback’s upgraded list of features that now includes a heads-up display, premium Arkamys sound system, and 360-degree camera, all of which are offered along with bold new exteriors, making the Baleno a better package than several other options out there.
Sharing its engine with the Swift, the Baleno also comes with a 1.2-litre DualJet petrol engine, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno offers a five-speed manual and a five-speed AMT automatic for a comfortable ride. All this comes topped with an impressive mileage figure of up to 22.94 km/l on petrol and 30.61 km/kg on CNG, making the Baleno a value-for-money hatchback.
Maruti Suzuki Alto
Despite the Alto 800’s discontinuation completing a year, the “Alto” badging was and continues to be an immortal and iconic name in the world of Indian hatchbacks. Selling over 40 lakh units in its lifetime, the Alto badge has dominated the market with numbers that are untouched by any other passenger car in India across all segments. Even with the 800 gone from the picture, the Alto in its current K10 avatar managed to sell a good 9,332 units in March 2024, to secure the fourth spot on the list. That’s not all, March also became the month where the Alto K10’s sales finally saw little but significant year-on-year growth of 9%. Considering that the K10 alone is now taking forward the Alto badging, it will be interesting to see whether the hatchback can continue to perform well, with positive numbers.
Nonetheless, what makes the Alto one of India’s most revered hatchbacks is its value-for-money package that seems to be tailor-made for the city. In terms of engine, the Alto K10 brings in a 1-litre Petrol engine with a five-speed manual/AMT. With impeccable mileage figures of up to 24.39 km/l, the Alto is even offered with CNG trims for maximum savings. All this makes the Alto, almost every family’s quintessential first car.
Tata Tiago
The genesis of Tata’s comeback in the market in 2016, the Tata Tiago has since then been one of India’s best-selling cars. With ample features, exceptional safety and a muscular yet elegant design, the Tata Tiago is a raging success. The only Indian hatchback that is available in petrol, CNG and even all-electric powertrains, the Tiago is one of a kind. Selling a total of 6,381 units across powertrains in March 2024, the Tiago, despite registering a 13% decline in terms of year-on-year growth, gracefully secured for itself, the fifth position on the chart.
Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that comes mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT, with mileage figures as high as 19 km/l for petrol. Additionally, the Tiago is also available in CNG trims with a sole 5-speed manual, delivering a mileage of 26.49 km/kg. Talking about the Tiago EV, the hatchback comes with two battery pack options including a 19.2kWh and a 24kWh pack. With these battery packs, the electric hatchback offers a claimed range from 250 km to 315 km.
Tata Altroz
Known to have taken over the market by storm when it was first launched in 2020, the Tata Altroz is a popular pick in the premium hatchback segment that offers comfortable interiors, ample features, a spacious cabin, reliable build quality and an unmatched 5-star safety standard. Selling a total of 5,958 units in March 2024, the Altroz registered the best in segment year-on-year growth of about 55%, securing for itself the sixth spot on the list. What works in favour of the Altroz is its exceptional ride and handling, complemented by a turbocharged engine and a DCT automatic; which in itself is quite a rare find, especially onboard an affordable hatchback.
Available with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol and a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel unit, the Altroz comes paired to a 5-speed manual across all engines along with a 6-speed DCT automatic for the naturally aspirated petrol engine. CNG trims are also up for grabs with the 1.2-litre unit mated to a sole 5-speed manual. Mileage figures go as high as 19.33 km/l for petrol and 23.60 km/l for diesel, making the Altroz a perfect pick.
Hyundai i20
Exciting performance, superb handling, premium features and irresistible looks. These are the traits the Hyundai i20 is revered for since 2014. And now with the new i20 and i20 N-Line facelift well placed, the Hyundai i20 seems even more exciting. Selling 5,155 units in March 2024, the i20 despite registering a 22% decline in year-on-year performance, still managed to secure the seventh best-selling spot, with an exciting and promising future ahead.
Powered by two peppy and power-packed engines that include a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 1-litre turbo-petrol unit that is now reserved only for the N-Line, the i20 offers a five-speed manual or CVT for the 1.2-litre petrol and seven-speed DCT for the turbo petrol trims. Irrespective of the choice, the Hyundai i20 offers one of the best driving dynamics out there.
Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS
One of India’s most popular carmakers, Hyundai has always led from the front, when it comes to giving India some of its most cherished cars across segments. The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios is another cherishable product that comes as a holistic package that has modern looks, refined powertrains, impressive comfort, and a legacy of over 16 years. Proving its mettle yet again, the Grand i10 NIOS sold 5,034 units in March 2024 despite an alarming 46% decline in terms of year-on-year performance. Securing the eighth spot for itself, the Grand i10 NIOS continues to be a promising option in its segment. But with that said, the hatchback is in dire need of updates to match the charm of modern-day rivals and bounce back to achieve year-on-year growth.
Talking about the engine, the Grand i10 NIOS comes powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine mated to either a five-speed manual or AMT with mileage of up to 20.7 km/l. Additionally, the hatchback is also available with CNG trims offering a mileage of up to 28 km/kg, making the Grand i10 NIOS truly a value-for-money option.
Toyota Glanza
The soul sister of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, the Toyota Glanza offers the same magic in a package that is tied up in a Toyota gift wrap. Despite being in existence since March 2022, the Glanza’s popularity never grew as much as the Baleno’s, but even then, the hatchback continued to cater to hardcore Toyota fans and those who seek a better warranty plan. Fast forward to March 2024, the Toyota Glanza is now a repeated entrant of the best-seller list, securing the ninth spot this time, by selling an impressive 4,319 units, with an impressive 28% year-on-year growth. This goes on to show that the Glanza is indeed a promising package, despite the Baleno having a substantial edge in terms of sales.
Talking of the engine, much like the Baleno, the Glanza also comes with a 1.2-litre DualJet petrol engine, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno offers a five-speed manual and a five-speed AMT automatic for a comfortable ride. All this comes topped with an impressive mileage figure of up to 22.94 km/l on petrol and 30.61 km/kg on CNG.
Maruti Suzuki Celerio
Another efficient, affordable, practical, and all-rounder hatchback, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio is one of the most suited hatchbacks, especially for the city. Offering a bang for your buck, the Celerio’s latest generation offers a contemporary avatar with a practical cabin and frugal powertrain. Selling 3,478 units in March 2024, the Celerio despite reporting a 25% decline in year-on-year growth, somehow managed to steal the tenth spot on the chart.
Powered by a 1-litre petrol engine mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed AMT, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio shines as India’s most frugal hatchback with mileage that goes as high as 26.86 km/l that too for the automatic trims. If that’s not all, the Celerio is also available with CNG onboard with a mileage of up to 35.6 km/kg.
