Tata Nexon, Hyundai Creta, Mahindra Scorpio hit top gear in September, record best-ever monthly sales

The Nexon, Creta and Scorpio are among the largest-selling cars in India.

The significant price cuts owing to Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate rationalisation and handsome benefits being offered by the carmakers resulted in record sales in September 2025 for three of the most popular SUVs in India -- Tata Nexon, Hyundai Creta and Mahindra Scorpio.

The Nexon garnered sales of 22,573 units, the Creta of 18,861 units and the Scorpio (N + Classic) of 18,372 units, during the month, according to industry data. This was the best-ever monthly sales performance for all three SUVs.

While the Nexon accounted for 37.83% of Tata Motors' passenger vehicle (PV) sales in September, the Creta contributed 36.59% to the Hyundai Motor India sales. The Scorpio had a share of 32.67% in Mahindra & Mahindra's SUV volumes during the month.

For reference, the PV sales of Tata stood at 59,667 units, Mahindra at 56,233 units and Hyundai at 51,547 units in September 2025.

The Nexon's sales in September were the best-ever monthly sales for any Tata PV ever, while the Creta, along with the Venue (11,484 units), pushed the SUV penetration in Hyundai's domestic volumes to a record high of 72.39%.

Top 5 selling cars in India in September 2025

Maruti Suzuki ⁠Dzire - 20,038 units

Hyundai Creta - 18,861 units

Mahindra ⁠Scorpio - 18,372 units

Tata Punch - 15,891 units

Source - Industry

In GST 2.0, the Nexon has become cheaper by up to Rs 1.55 lakh and now starts at Rs 7.32 lakh (ex-showroom). In September, Tata also offered additional benefits up to Rs 45,000 on the SUV to enhance its sales.

So far as the Scorpio brand is concerned, the Classic and the N have received price cuts of up to Rs 1.01 lakh and Rs 1.45 lakh, respectively. While the Classic now starts at Rs 12.98 lakh (ex-showroom), the N can be had at a starting price of Rs 13.20 lakh (ex-showroom). Mahindra offered additional benefits up to Rs 95,000 on the Scorpio Classic and Rs 71,000 on the Scorpio-N in September.

The Creta has received a price cut of up to Rs 72,145 and now starts at Rs 10.73 lakh (ex-showroom).

Under the new GST structure, the relatively smaller cars (sub-4 metre) are in the 18% slab, while the compensation cess on automobiles has been completely removed. They earlier attracted a GST of 28% and a compensation cess of 1% to 3%, resulting in a total tax incidence of 29% to 31%.

The bigger models, as well as the luxury cars, have been placed in the 40% slab now. In the GST 1.0 regime, the overall tax on them was from 43% to 50% (28% GST + 15% to 22% compensation cess).

However, there is no change in GST on electric vehicles (EVs), including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, PVs and commercial vehicles, in the new structure. They were and are still in the 5% slab.