Hyundai Motor India reported 52,407 domestic passenger vehicle sales in February 2026, marking a 9.8% year‑on‑year increase from 47,727 units a year earlier. Month‑on‑month volumes, however, slipped 11.3% from January’s 59,107 units as demand softened mid‑quarter. SUVs and compact models continued to underpin the brand’s performance, with Creta, Venue and Aura emerging as the key contributors.
Creta retains top spot Hyundai’s Creta, including its electric variant, remained the best‑selling model with 17,938 units in February, up 9.9% year‑on‑year from 16,317 units in February 2025 and effectively flat month‑on‑month (0.1% increase vs. 17,921 in January). The high volumes underscore Creta’s enduring appeal across private buyers and fleet channels, buoyed by value‑for‑money equipment levels and a diversified powertrain offering.
Venue and Aura drive compact and sedan demand The Venue compact SUV secured second place with 10,494 units, a modest 3.6% rise year‑on‑year from 10,125 units, though registrations fell 15.5% versus January. Sedan demand saw a notable uptick for the Aura, which posted 6,733 units — a striking 40.4% year‑on‑year jump from 4,797 units in February 2025 — even as monthly volumes eased 15.6% from January. Aura’s strong annual growth indicates renewed consumer interest in value‑priced sedans amid a crowded compact‑SUV market.
Hatchbacks show mixed fortunes Hyundai’s i20 premium hatchback delivered a strong performance with 5,852 units in February, surging 61.4% year‑on‑year from 3,627 units and edging up 3.1% month‑on‑month. The lift reflects the i20’s continued relevance in the premium hatch segment thanks to fresh features and competitive pricing. Grand i10 NIOS posted 5,589 units, up 13.1% year‑on‑year from 4,940 units, but its month‑on‑month tally fell 27.5% from January, indicating short‑term inventory or buying‑pattern shifts.
Declines among smaller SUVs and premium models Not all models sustained momentum. The Exter micro‑SUV recorded 4,200 units, down 21.7% year‑on‑year and 25.3% month‑on‑month; Hyundai plans to launch an updated Exter this month aimed at reinvigorating interest. Alcazar volumes slid to 907 units — a 28.2% year‑on‑year decline and a small monthly drop — suggesting pressure in the three‑row SUV segment from newer rivals. Verna sedan registrations dropped sharply to 694 units (down 42.5% year‑on‑year and 15.7% month‑on‑month), though the recently launched updated Verna is expected to boost deliveries in coming months.
Table 1: Hyundai Sales Breakup – Feb 2026 vs Feb 2025 (YoY)
| No | Hyundai Model | Feb-26 | Feb-25 | Diff | Growth % YoY | % Share Feb 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Creta / EV | 17,938 | 16,317 | 1,621 | 9.93 | 34.23 |
| 2 | Venue | 10,494 | 10,125 | 369 | 3.64 | 20.02 |
| 3 | Aura | 6,733 | 4,797 | 1,936 | 40.36 | 12.85 |
| 4 | i20 | 5,852 | 3,627 | 2,225 | 61.35 | 11.17 |
| 5 | i10 NIOS | 5,589 | 4,940 | 649 | 13.14 | 10.66 |
| 6 | Exter | 4,200 | 5,361 | –1,161 | –21.66 | 8.01 |
| 7 | Alcazar | 907 | 1,264 | –357 | –28.24 | 1.73 |
| 8 | Verna | 694 | 1,207 | –513 | –42.50 | 1.32 |
| 9 | Tucson | 0 | 73 | –73 | –100.00 | 0.00 |
| 10 | IONIQ 5 | 0 | 16 | –16 | –100.00 | 0.00 |
| Total | 52,407 | 47,727 | 4,680 | 9.81 | 100.00 |
Table 2: Hyundai Sales Breakup – Feb 2026 vs Jan 2026 (MoM)
| No | Hyundai Model | Feb-26 | Jan-26 | Diff | Growth % MoM | % Share Jan 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Creta / EV | 17,938 | 17,921 | 17 | 0.09 | 30.32 |
| 2 | Venue | 10,494 | 12,413 | –1,919 | –15.46 | 21.00 |
| 3 | Aura | 6,733 | 7,978 | –1,245 | –15.61 | 13.50 |
| 4 | i20 | 5,852 | 5,677 | 175 | 3.08 | 9.60 |
| 5 | i10 NIOS | 5,589 | 7,710 | –2,121 | –27.51 | 13.04 |
| 6 | Exter | 4,200 | 5,621 | –1,421 | –25.28 | 9.51 |
| 7 | Alcazar | 907 | 962 | –55 | –5.72 | 1.63 |
| 8 | Verna | 694 | 823 | –129 | –15.67 | 1.39 |
| 9 | Tucson | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0.00 |
| 10 | IONIQ 5 | 0 | 2 | –2 | –100.00 | 0.00 |
| Total | 52,407 | 59,107 | –6,700 | –11.34 | 100.00 |
EV and premium imports lag Hyundai’s larger imported models posted no domestic sales in February: the Tucson and the IONIQ 5 recorded zero units, versus 73 and 16 units respectively in February 2025. The absence points to constrained dealer inventory or a shift in focus to locally produced, high‑volume models; it also reflects the still‑limited mainstream uptake for higher‑priced electrified imports.
Overall assessment Hyundai’s February performance was anchored by SUV and compact portfolio strength, led by Creta and Venue, while the Aura’s year‑on‑year surge highlights demand pockets within the sedan segment. The i20’s double‑digit annual rise further underscores buyer appetite for premium hatchbacks. Conversely, the Exter, Alcazar and Verna showed notable year‑on‑year declines, underlining competitive pressures across price points and the need for model refreshes or production adjustments. The mixed month‑on‑month trends — with an 11.3% overall decline from January — suggest seasonality, inventory cycles, or early‑quarter buying smoothing rather than a structural downturn.
What to watch next
- Product updates: The imminent refreshed Exter and newly updated Verna should have a near‑term impact on volumes; dealers and buyers will watch pricing, feature content and launch incentives.
- Inventory and supply: Zero sales for Tucson and IONIQ 5 raise questions about allocation and dealer stocks for premium and imported models. Any ramp‑up would show quickly in monthly data.
- Segment shifts: Continued consumer preference for SUVs and premium hatchbacks may pressure sedans and three‑row models unless refreshed with sharper value propositions.
Bottom line Hyundai ended February 2026 with healthy year‑on‑year growth driven by mass‑market SUVs and hatchbacks, though month‑on‑month softness and declines in several nameplates underline an uneven recovery across the lineup. Upcoming product refreshes and inventory moves will determine whether weaker models recover ground or whether Hyundai concentrates further on core volume drivers.
