Revealing the Best Selling Premium SUV in India for FY2024
India’s appetite for luxury vehicles soared in the fiscal year 2024, with the premium segment experiencing remarkable growth. This surge was particularly pronounced in the SUV category, reflecting a global trend finding strong resonance within the Indian market. Data reveals a significant uptick in demand, firmly establishing premium SUVs as a highly sought-after segment. Identifying the Best Selling Premium Suv In India requires looking closely at the performance of key players and their flagship models during this period.
According to JATO Dynamics India, the collective sales of seven major luxury carmakers reached 45,311 units in FY2024, a robust 20.5 percent increase from FY2023’s 37,615 units. Crucially, demand for luxury SUVs outpaced sedans significantly, climbing 34 percent year-on-year to 27,489 units. This highlights the clear preference among Indian buyers for the space, versatility, and status offered by premium SUVs.
German Giants Dominate Premium SUV Sales
The top three manufacturers, all German automotive powerhouses, registered strong double-digit growth, solidifying their leadership in India’s luxury market. Their SUV offerings were central to this success.
Mercedes-Benz Leads with Strong SUV Portfolio
Market leader Mercedes-Benz India continued its strong performance, selling 17,013 passenger vehicles overall. SUVs constituted a significant 56 percent of their sales. While the outgoing LWB E-Class sedan remained their highest-selling single model overall, the SUV lineup showed considerable strength. The Mercedes-Benz GLE emerged as a top contender, selling 2,349 units (up 1.4 percent) and earning the title of the best-selling luxury SUV in India last fiscal year, particularly appealing to those seeking top-tier luxury. Other popular Mercedes SUVs included the GLA (2,213 units, up 24 percent), the GLC (1,925 units), and the GLS (1,529 units).
Exterior view of a modern Mercedes-Benz dealership showroom in Nagpur, India
BMW X1 Clinches Midsize Crown
BMW India secured the second spot with impressive 28 percent growth, retailing 14,479 units. While their sales mix slightly favored sedans (51 percent), their SUV range performed exceptionally well. The standout performer was the BMW X1, which recorded sales of 2,996 units. This achievement made the X1 not only BMW’s top-selling SUV but also the best-selling midsize luxury SUV in the entire Indian market for FY2024. Other significant contributors to BMW’s SUV success were the larger X7 (1,644 units) and the X3 (1,089 units).
BMW Group display featuring various models at the Bharat Mobility event
Audi SUVs Show Impressive Growth
Audi India demonstrated remarkable momentum, achieving 33 percent growth with 7,027 units sold. SUVs were the clear driving force, accounting for 63 percent of their total volume (4,425 units), a massive 72 percent increase year-on-year. The Audi Q3 experienced phenomenal demand, with sales soaring 303 percent to 1,965 units. The Q3 Sportback also saw a seven-fold increase to 658 units. Strong performances were also noted from the Q7 (742 units, up 33 percent) and the Q5 (735 units).
Exterior view of the Audi Hyderabad dealership building
Land Rover’s Defender Drives Stellar Growth
Land Rover India surged into the fourth position, overtaking Volvo, thanks to an exceptional 82 percent growth, reaching 3,061 units. The primary catalyst for this outstanding performance was the immense popularity of the Land Rover Defender, which saw sales jump by 151 percent to 1,314 units. This single model significantly boosted the brand’s presence. Demand was also strong for other premium models like the Range Rover Velar (556 units, up 45 percent) and the Range Rover Sport (404 units, up 86 percent). Even the flagship Range Rover found 394 buyers, indicating robust demand across Land Rover’s high-end SUV portfolio.
Front three-quarter view of a white 2024 Range Rover Velar parked outdoors
Other Key Players in the Premium SUV Arena
While the German brands and Land Rover captured much of the spotlight, other manufacturers also contributed to the vibrant premium SUV market.
Volvo’s Consistent Performance
Volvo Auto India achieved a respectable 27 percent growth, selling 2,522 units overall and reclaiming the fifth spot. Their SUV lineup led their sales figures. The XC60 was the brand’s most popular model with 867 units sold, closely followed by the XC40 which registered 769 units. The larger XC90 also contributed significantly with 449 units finding homes.
Grid image showing various Volvo car models including XC60, XC40, C40 Recharge, and S90 sedan
Niche Models Gain Traction
Within the BMW Group, the Mini brand saw its sales rise by 34 percent to 937 units, largely driven by the Mini Countryman SUV, which accounted for 695 units. Jaguar India, though smaller in volume, posted 22 percent growth (272 units), with the F-Pace SUV being their primary seller at 221 units. Lexus India also reported strong growth (63 percent for FY2024), citing the NX350h SUV as one of its most popular models, although specific unit sales were not detailed in the JATO data.
Red Mini Countryman parked in front of a building
Rise of Electric Premium SUVs
The shift towards electric mobility is also evident in the premium SUV space. In FY2024, a total of 2,870 luxury EVs were sold based on retail data. BMW India led this charge convincingly, accounting for 1,421 luxury EV sales. Their BMW iX SUV was a major contributor, with 738 units sold, making it the top-selling luxury EV overall and representing half of all luxury EV sales in India for the period. Other notable electric SUVs included the Mercedes-Benz EQB (311 units, showing a 576 percent increase), the Volvo C40 (212 units), and the Jaguar I-Pace (31 units).
Graph showing Top 10 EV sales in India for FY2024, with BMW iX leading luxury EVs
Conclusion: SUV Demand Fuels Luxury Market Growth
The financial year 2024 solidified the dominance of SUVs within India’s booming luxury vehicle market. With premium SUV sales surging by 34 percent to nearly 27,500 units, consumer preference is clear. While Mercedes-Benz maintained its overall lead, key models like the Mercedes-Benz GLE (best-selling luxury SUV) and the BMW X1 (best-selling midsize luxury SUV) stood out as segment leaders. Audi’s Q3 showed phenomenal growth, and Land Rover’s Defender dramatically boosted its brand’s standing. The Best Selling Premium Suv In India landscape is competitive, driven by established German players and strong contenders like Land Rover, with electrification adding another exciting dimension to this rapidly growing segment. The strong performance across various brands indicates sustained high demand for premium SUVs among Indian consumers.
Data Source: JATO Dynamics India
