Maruti Suzuki’s Dzire became the highest-selling car in May, marking the first time in more than five years that a sedan has led the monthly passenger vehicle (PV) sales.
According to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), 18,084 units of the Dzire were sold in May, outpacing other top-selling models, including Maruti Suzuki Ertiga (16,140 units), Maruti Suzuki Brezza (15,566 units), Hyundai Creta (14,860 units), Mahindra Scorpio (14,401 units), and Maruti Suzuki Swift (14,135 units).
This is the first instance since January 2020 that a sedan has topped the monthly sales chart. Back then, the Dzire sold 22,406 units. In the intervening period, hatchbacks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) have dominated the sales rankings.
Following the Dzire’s top position in January 2020, the Swift was the highest seller in February 2020 and the Baleno led in March 2020. The Swift topped the FY21 sales chart, with the Dzire in the fifth place. From FY22 to FY25, the Wagon R consistently ranked first in annual sales. During this time, the Dzire’s rankings fluctuated, from fifth in FY22, 10th in FY23, seventh in FY24, to ninth in FY25. In calendar year 2024, Tata Punch, an SUV, held the top spot in sales.
The current-generation Dzire was launched on November 11, 2024. Since its launch, its sales have steadily increased. The May numbers mark its best performance in the current cycle and its return to the top of the sales chart.
Industry analysts have pointed to several factors behind the Dzire’s resurgence. A significant portion of demand comes from the fleet segment, though the exact numbers are not disclosed by the manufacturer. Additionally, there has been consistent demand for its CNG variants. The Dzire is available with a factory-fitted CNG option, which is seeing growing popularity across various models in the market.
Gaurav Vangaal, associate director at S&P Global Mobility, said the Dzire benefits from a combination of strong brand presence, high resale value, and reliability. He added that Maruti Suzuki’s extensive dealer and service network also supports sustained customer interest.
Despite the ongoing consumer preference for SUVs — six among the top 10 selling cars in May were SUVs — analysts believe the Dzire will continue to perform well. High fuel prices have shifted focus to efficiency, and the Dzire offers a fuel economy of up to 25.71 km/litre for petrol variants and 33.73 km/kg for CNG variants. Its direct competition is limited to three other compact sedans — Honda Amaze, Hyundai Aura and Tata Tigor.
Safety has also become a stronger consideration for the buyers. On June 11, Maruti Suzuki announced that the Dzire received a 5-star rating in the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP). It is the first Maruti Suzuki vehicle and the first sedan overall to receive the highest rating under the programme.