Interest in the pre-owned car segment has increased substantially over the past few years, majorly due to the pandemic, resulting in a growth of 5 per cent YoY in FY20, compared to the diminishing interest in a new car. The gap will further grow in the coming times, as more and more, feature-laden vehicles will end up in this segment, offering plenty more options to choose from. The biggest factor driving up the sales in the pre-owned segment, is affordability, availability, increased need for personal mobility, and the emergence of online players working to organize the sector. The National Capital is a major market in the pre-owned car space, and a quick search will give you multiple options to select your preferred car as per your budget. We list out a few of these used cars that are currently on sale in the Delhi region, at affordable pricing, compared to a new car.
2020 Honda City V MT Petrol
Honda Cars India introduced the new-generation Honda City in India back in 2020 and has quickly made its way to the used-car space, in a rather good condition. But if you are looking to invest in this iconic moniker, then we would suggest that you opt for the base version in the petrol guise, coupled with a manual gearbox. The reason is, Honda has offered more than enough features in this base version to keep the price competitive, so it doesn't really feel like an entry-level premium sedan.
In our opinion, the base variant of the Honda City should be ideal for purchase.
To name a few, the 2020 Honda City V MT receives 15-inch alloys, projector headlights with LED DRLs, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, Honda Connect, Alexa remote capability, steering-mounted controls, keyless entry, engine start/stop button, powered side mirrors, climate control, rear AC vents, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, driver's seat height adjustment, cruise control, and front and rear armrest, among other features.
Ex-showroom price: Rs. 11.23 lakh
Price now: Rs. 8.28 lakh
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz 1.0 Turbo BS6
Launched in February 2020, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz 1.0L Turbo BS6 is one of the most affordable cars with a turbo unit on sale in India. This model is also the most powerful Grand i10 mode yet, as it develops 99bhp @6,000rpm and develops a peak torque of 172Nm @1,500 – 4,000rpm from its 998cc, three-pot turbocharged motor. It is based on the Sportz trim of the Grand i10 Nios and gets subtle cosmetic changes to differentiate it from the standard version.
The turbo variant of the Grand i10 Nios gets subtle cosmetic changes to differentiate it from the standard version.
Apart from that, it gets an exclusive red with black roof, projector headlamps, 15-inch alloys, and more importantly, is loaded to the proverbial gills with the latest tech that the company has to offer, making it an excellent value-for-money proposition. So, it is quite evident, that this is in huge demand in the pre-owned market, for its absolute road dominance in terms of its excellent handling and robust ride quality. We would recommend grabbing one of these.
Ex-showroom price: Rs. 7.89 lakh
Price now: Rs. 6.41 lakh
Maruti Suzuki Wagon R LXi 1.0L CNG
Maruti Suzuki has one the largest company fitted CNG kits in its product portfolio, and so it was quite natural that the company's most popular vehicle would also sport one. Maruti Suzuki updated the Wagon R with a CNG kit back in 2019 at a then price of Rs. 4.84 lakh and Rs. 4.89 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the LXI and LXI (O) variants, respectively. Over the years, the market price of the CNG variant increased, however, you can find it on the pre-owned market at a very nominal rate if you really scout hard enough.
The most ideal, value for money suggestion would be to go for the Wagon R LXi 1.0L CNG variant.
Considering the Wagon R CNG is one of the most preferred choices of the vehicle in the commercial fleet segment, finding one won't be too much of an effort. However, finding one in pristine condition could be a tough call. The most ideal, value for money suggestion would be to go for the Wagon R LXi 1.0L CNG variant, which is decked up quite comprehensively. Not only does it offer a best-in-class mileage of 33.54km/kg, but the Wagon R also CNG comes with standard warranty benefits and convenience of Maruti Suzuki's service network spread across India.
Ex-showroom price: Rs. 6.13 lakh
Price now: Rs. 3.87 lakh
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta AT 1.2L
If you are in the used-car space looking for a premium entry-level hatchback, then the Maruti Suzuki Baleno would be the most ideal to opt for, especially, the Zeta variant in the petrol guise. It is value-for-money, feature-loaded, and gets the convenience of an automatic gearbox. The mid-cycle facelift it received back in 2019, brought along added features and fresh cosmetic facilities inside its cabin.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno last received an update in 2019.
You also get Maruti's new infotainment system that is also compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It is also well equipped in case of an emergency, as it features ABS with EBD, ISOFIX seat mounts, rear sensors for parking, and double front airbags as a standard feature. In terms of power, the Baleno develops 84bhp and 140Nm of peak torque from its 1.2-litre petrol engine that is coupled to either a 5-speed manual or a CVT unit.
Ex-showroom price: Rs. 8.90 lakh
Price now: Rs. 6.26 lakh
Mahindra XUV300 W6 Petrol
The Mahindra XUV300 is a relatively new car, so finding one in the used car space at an affordable price will be a huge ask. Nevertheless, if you are looking for one, then we would suggest going for the W6 trim, in its petrol guise, either in manual or automatic gearbox option. Not only is the Mahindra XUV300 one of the safest compact SUVs currently in the market, but it also offers one of the most spacious cabins in the segment and boasts to sit 5 passengers quite comfortably.
The Mahindra XUV300 is one of the safest compact SUVs in its segment.
The exterior looks quite decent thanks to the muscular proportions of a conventional SUV coupled with LED headlights, LED DRLs, sporty alloys, roof rails, and LED taillights. You get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Mahindra Blue Sense app, a sunroof, and a touchscreen infotainment system among other premium features. The only drawback, that we feel, is that the XUV300 has an outdated interior, compared to other prospects in the segment, but it makes up for its vulnerability with a superior powertrain, and adequate off-road capability.
Ex-showroom price: Rs. 9.87 lakh
Price now: Rs. 7.50 lakh
Nissan Kicks XV Turbo 1.3 BS6
One of the most powerful compact SUV is also on sale in the pre-owned car segment, for the top-spec version, under the Rs. 10 lakh price range. If you find one, then grab it without second thoughts, well of course, after due diligence. Nissan put its most powerful petrol engine in the Kicks back in 2020 and borrowed cylinder coating technology from the Nissan GT-R, among other updates it received to make it that much special.
(The turbo engine on the Kicks is refined and eager! There is an ample amount of pulling power across the rev range)
It displaces 1,330cc and makes 154bhp @5,500 rpm along with peak torque of 254Nm from a very low 1,600rpm, and is mated to a 7-step CVT unit. What it did was make the Nissan Kicks refined and eager, with power spread across all the rev bands, especially at low and mid-range. A gentle tap on the throttle is enough to accelerate immediately. The overtaking is even more sublime, as the gearbox is one of the best in the category.
Ex-showroom price: Rs. 12.1 lakh
Price now: Rs. 9.54 lakh
Renault Triber RXZ AMT BS6
Renault added the automatic convenience to the Triber back in 2020, and with it, the VFM for the small MPV increased drastically. It is compact, smart, spacious, and extremely practical, and no doubt works wonders for the company ever since its debut in India. With a claimed fuel efficiency of 18.29kmpl, the Triber with the AMT unit is perfect for regular city jaunts, and even the occasional weekend getaways.
(The Renault Triber AMT was launched in May 2020.)
Overtaking is not exactly hassle-free, but shift the gear into manual mode, and you can quite easily maneuver. And it's not a rotary knob, mind you, like the one in the Renault Kwid. It gets a proper gear-shifter which makes for a more realistic experience when switching between the drive modes.
Ex-showroom price: Rs. 8.08 lakh
Price now: Rs. 5.61 lakh
Tata Tiago XZ Petrol
Being an entry-level hatchback, there is little to doubt that the Tiago is a favorite not only in the new car space but also in the used car category. Not only the 2016 to 2020 models are in demand, but also the BS6 versions of the Tiago are a popular choice. In our opinion, the XZ trim with the petrol and manual gearbox configuration is the most preferred both in the new car and used car space.
The Tiago facelift is available in XE, XT, XZ, XTA, XZ+, XZA, and XZA+ variants.
The very capable Tiago features a sturdy build quality, and offers ample space for the passengers, despite its small footprint and even smaller dimensions. Nevertheless, the Tiago should be on your list if you are scavenging for one in the used car market.
Ex-showroom price: Rs. 6.08 lakh
Price now: Rs. 3.61 lakh
Tata Altroz XM+ Petrol
If you are looking for a value-for-money variant for the Tata Altroz, then the XM+ with petrol powertrain should be your choice. It sits in between the XM and XM Style variants in the line-up, and offers features from the top-end variants, more accessible to the customers at a reduced rate. It is available in - Downtown Red, Avenue White, High Street Gold, and Midtown Grey.
The Tata Altroz is a premium hatchback.
It brings features such as 7-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple Car Play & Android Auto connectivity, steering mounted controls, voice alerts, voice command recognition, remote foldable key, 16-inch wheels, and much more.
Ex-showroom price: Rs. 6.85 lakh
Price now: Rs. 5.45 lakh
Volkswagen Polo Comfortline 1.0L Petrol
The last on our list is none other than the Volkswagen Polo. The Polo is available with a 1.0-litre NA petrol and a 1.0-litre turbocharged TSI unit. While the NA is paired with only manual transmission, the turbo-petrol combination is equipped for either manual or automatic transmissions. It also has a fantastic torque output and makes it easily drivable in the city and relaxing on the highways.
The Volkswagen Polo is a proper driver's car and doesn't mind being less feature-loaded.
Do note, that the VW Polo is a driver's car, and by no means offers all the comfort features or even some of the basic ones that you get in other vehicles in its segment. However, we suggest putting money on the base Comfortline, for the fact that once you get inside the Polo, premium features won't be your concern anymore.
Ex-showroom price: Rs. 7.91 lakh
Price now: Rs 5.10 lakh
