February 2023 Top Selling SUVs in India

High on space, comfort, practicality, power and utility. SUVs are the first choice for buyers looking for a car that caters to the entire family. While compact SUVs are great when it comes to mostly city usage, it is the mid-size and full-size SUVs that offer performance that can take on any road. This is the reason behind the ever-increasing popularity of SUVs that register impressive sales figures in the month of February 2023. Here are the best selling SUVs of February 2023, excluding the best selling compact SUVs of the month.

Hyundai Creta

Another month, another milestone for the Hyundai Creta. Emerging as the number one best selling SUV in the month of February 2023, the Creta sold 10,421 units and registered a growth of 8% over its sales performance in the same month last year. What makes the Hyundai Creta an unbeatable success story is its premium features, exceptional looks, dynamic performance and overall practicality.

Even after losing out its turbo petrol engine recently, the Hyundai Creta continues to be in heavy demand thanks to its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines both of which are offered with a six-speed manual as standard along with a six-speed iMT for the petrol and AMT automatic for the diesel. Mileage on offer goes up to 18 km/l for diesel and 16.8 km/l for diesel, making the Creta a great pick.

Mahindra Bolero

For those who are in the market for a tough, practical, spacious and rugged SUV that is built to last long, the Mahindra Bolero is a name that cannot be ignored. With both the classic Bolero as well the new Bolero Neo under its folio, Bolero as a whole managed to sell 9,782 units, becoming the second best selling SUV in India, despite an 11% decline over its performance in the same month last year.

What makes the Bolero badging a widespread success across India, is its tough and rugged bodyline, ample space, and great driving dynamics that can seat up to seven passengers. In terms of engine, both the Bolero Neo as well as the Bolero come powered by a 1.5-litre diesel unit mated to a five-speed manual transmission, with the Neo offering more power and torque on offer. 

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Launched in September 2022, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara has quickly become one of the most popular SUVs in India. Quickly rising to glory, the Grand Vitara is a great blend of good looks, high practicality, premium features and balanced driving dynamics. Selling 9,183 units in February 2023, the Grand Vitara became the third best selling SUV of the month.

In terms of engines, The Grand Vitara is equipped with a 1.5-litre mild hybrid unit with a five-speed manual or a six-speed torque converter automatic or a 1.5-litre strong hybrid unit that comes with a sole e-CVT automatic onboard. Mileage-wise, the Grand Vitara stands as the most fuel-efficient car in its segment with a mileage of 20.58 km/l with the mild hybrid and 27.97 km/l with the strong hybrid.

Kia Seltos

Great looks, premium features, spacious cabin, high practicality and peppy driving dynamics. All this is what makes the Kia Seltos a worthy choice in the segment. A big threat to Creta’s reign, the Seltos sold 8,012 units in February 2023, registering a good 22% growth over the 6,575 units the SUV sold in the same month last year.

Much like the Creta, the Seltos has also temporarily lost its turbo-petrol unit, and now comes with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine only. Transmission on offer includes a six-speed manual and six-speed iMT as common for both engines along with a six-speed CVT for petrol and torque converter automatic for diesel. And with 6 airbags as standard, the Seltos comes as a safe ride that is ready to take on the roads.

Mahindra Scorpio

With the Scorpio N now a part of the Scorpio portfolio, both the Scorpio N and the classic Mahindra Scorpio, together are two of the best selling 7-seater SUVs in India. With the Scorpio N offering a modern approach to Scorpio’s unparalleled practicality and performance the Scorpio badging as a whole received a strong push in terms of sales, with the SUV managing to sell 6,950 units in February 2023 registering a massive 166% year-on-year growth.

While the Scorpio comes mated to a sole 2.2-litre diesel unit paired to a six-speed manual, the Scorpio N on the other hand offers a 2.0-litre turbo petrol unit in addition to the 2.2-litre diesel engine, both of which come mated to a six-speed manual or torque converter automatic onboard. Both SUVs together are two of the most attractive choices in the segment, with a tough, built-to-last bodyline and true-blue SUV performance.

Mahindra XUV700

With new and groundbreaking technology and features that impressed everyone, the Mahindra XUV700 created ripples in the SUV market and quickly became one of the best selling 7-seat SUVs in India. Selling 4,505 units in February 2023, the XUV700 bagged the seventh position registering 9% growth over the 4,138 units it sold in February 2022.

With its power-packed drivetrain, premium interiors, great comfort and a perfect 5-star safety rating, the XUV700 dominated 45.89% of the market last year, with this year looking to be much stronger. Equipped with the most powerful turbocharged engines in its class along with an AWD drivetrain on offer, the XUV700 comes with a 2-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel engine both mated to a six-speed manual/AMT.

Toyota Fortuner

The go-to choice for many aspiring for a powerful SUV, the Toyota Fortuner commands respect wherever it goes. Considered to be one of India’s most desirable cars, the Fortuner with its aggressive stance, premium cabin, spacious interiors, rugged bodyline and capable powertrain, continues to be an unbeatable 7-seater SUV. Selling 3,426 units in February 2023, the Fortuner clocked in a huge 85% growth over its performance in the same month last year, which goes on to show what kind of dominance the SUV possesses.

Equipped with two power-packed engines that includes a 2.7-litre petrol engine and a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, the Fortuner offers a five-speed manual for the petrol and a six-speed manual for the diesel along with an optional automatic and 4×4 drivetrain.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Launched in September last year, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder with its hybrid system has been a great addition to Toyota’s portfolio in India. Selling 3,307 units in February 2023, the Hyryder was only 119 units short than what the Fortuner managed to sell. This is a testament to the SUV’s popularity that is steadily increasing with time.

With ample features onboard, the Hyryder offers a premium cabin, ample space, high practicality and exceptional efficiency with even CNG trims on offer. Powered with two peppy petrol engines: a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid system and a 1.5-litre strong-hybrid system, the Hyryder is paired with a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission for the mild-hybrid trim in addition to an e-CVT automatic for the strong-hybrid. Available with both FWD and AWD drivetrains, the Hyryder offers efficiency of up to 27.97 km/l on the hybrid-petrol model and 26.6km/kg on the CNG model.

Tata Harrier

Tata’s big-boy that has impressed over 1 lakh customers, the Tata Harrier is a great package for those looking to bring home a tough, spacious, premium and safe SUV that can seat up to seven passengers in sheer comfort. Selling 2,054 units in February 2023, the Harrier despite registering a 22% decline in its year-on-year performance, still managed to make its way into the top ten.

Powered by a 2-litre diesel engine mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed torque converter. While the Harrier offered a decent amount of premium features, for those who wanted more, the make year 2023 Harrier now comes equipped with an updated infotainment system, 360-degree camera, digital instrument cluster and Level-1 ADAS onboard to spice up the competition.

Skoda Kushaq

The “King” of mid-size SUVs, the Skoda Kushaq quickly rose to fame thanks to its sporty looks, premium features, and a peppy powertrain. Selling 1,783 units in February 2023, the Kushaq registered a 23% decline in its year-on-year performance, despite somehow managing to secure the tenth position in the best sellers list. 

Powered by two peppy petrol engine options: a 1-litre, three-cylinder petrol and a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged unit, both engines come mated to a six-speed manual with a torque convertor automatic for the three-cylinder unit and a seven-speed DCT for the turbo petrol. In a bid to improve the efficiency, the bigger engine is also equipped with cylinder deactivation technology that switches off two of the four cylinders when under less load, helping the SUV return 19.2 km/l of mileage.