Top 5 Used Cars For First-Time Buyers

Looking to buy your first car?

Buying your first car is often one of the most memorable moments in life. However, the cost of buying a new car can be exorbitant, so the easiest way to get the best value-for-money deal is to opt for a car that is affordable. But if you are unsure about the best car for first-time buyers, then Cars24 is the best platform to seek help.

Many first-time car buyers are choosing a used or pre-owned car as they are priced reasonably well while coming with some of the perks of a new car. The companies tend to handpick only the best of cars (non-accidental, trouble-free, low-mileage) and refurbish them to be as good as new. Also, the cars at CARS24 come with a 6-month free warranty and an option of 7 Day Return, in case you’re not satisfied with the purchase.

Let us now look at five of the best cars for first-time buyers in the pre-owned car segment in India on the basis of drivability, safety, and ease of maintenance.

1. Maruti Suzuki Alto

Maruti Suzuki Alto

One of the best cars for first-time drivers in India, the Maruti Alto 800 is the best-selling entry-level hatchback in the new and used car market. It is the go-to car for many, especially first-timers due to ease of driving, ease of parking, low-cost maintenance and excellent fuel economy (mileage).

Maruti Alto 800 is one of the best models in the Alto range. The hatch is available with a 1.0L engine option as well in the form of the Alto K10. It also gets the AMT gearbox which makes it one of the cheapest automatic cars to buy in India. A brand new Alto would cost anywhere between Rs. 3.39 Lakh and 5.02 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) while used Alto is available from Rs. 90,000 onwards. In all, the Maruti Suzuki Alto is a good first car to buy.

Here’s why you should buy used Maruti Suzuki Alto:

• Petrol and CNG fuel options
• Superb mileage of 21kmpl and 31.5 km/kg
• Dual front airbags as standard
• ABS with EBD as safety features
• 796cc petrol engine with 5-speed manual gearbox

Read More: Maruti Alto 800 Price – New and Old Car

2. Maruti Suzuki Swift

Maruti Suzuki Swift

If entry-level cars are just not your thing, Maruti also has a slightly bigger offering with better features. The Swift is one of the most popular cars in the country and it won't be an exaggeration to call it the best first car to buy in India as it has been the highest-sold vehicle in its segment for almost a decade. If you are willing to spend a bit more than Alto, there is no other car like the Maruti Swift.

Not only does it have visually appealing features, but it also has a powerful engine with excellent mileage. The cost of maintenance, affordable spares, and the choice of both automatic and manual gearbox makes it the best car for beginners in India. Some of the most popular used Maruti Swift variants include the Maruti Swift VDI and ZDI, and the Maruti Swift VXI and ZXI.

The price range for the new Swift is between  5.91 – 8.84 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi) whereas used ones are available from Rs. 1.5 Lakh onwards.

The top 5 reasons to buy a used Maruti Suzuki Swift are listed below:

• Available in petrol and CNG fuel options
• Offered with manual and AMT gearboxes
• Mileage of 22kmpl and 30.9 km/kg
• Dual front airbags and ABS as safety features
• 1197cc petrol engine with 89 bhp power output

3. Hyundai i20

Hyundai i20

Currently, the Hyundai i20 is in its fourth generation and a new one costs anywhere between Rs. 7.07 – 11.62 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). The i20 is one of the most popular premium hatchback models in India and rivals the likes of the Maruti Baleno, Tata Altroz and Honda Jazz.

The i20 is feature-loaded with a powerful engine and an attractive European design. The Hyundai i20 as well as the pre-facelift i20 Elite come with various drivetrain options such as the 1.4L petrol which delivers a top power of 99 bhp at 6000 RPM, the 1.2L petrol with a max power output of  82 bhp at 6000 RPM, and a 1.4L diesel with a power output of 89 bhp at 4000 RPM.

The i20 offers excellent fuel economy with average figures around 20-21 Kmpl. Some of the variants available for the Hyundai i20 Elite model include the Hyundai Elite i20 ASTA 1.2(O), Hyundai Elite i20 ASTA 1.2, Hyundai Elite i20 1.4 CRDI ASTA (O), and the Hyundai Elite i20 MAGNA PLUS VTVT. The price range for the second-hand Hyundai i20 is usually between Rs. 2.5 lakh and Rs. 7.5 lakh.

Here are the five things that make a used Hyundai i20 worth buying:

• Available in petrol and diesel fuel trims
• Four transmission choices: Manual, iMT, CVT and DCT
• Mileage between 19-24kmpl
• Upto 6 Airbags on offer
• 998cc petrol, 1197cc petrol and 1497cc diesel engines

Read More: Used Car Buying Guide: Pre-owned Hyundai i20 – All You Need To Know

4. Honda Brio

Honda Brio

Although discontinued, the Honda Brio is a peppy little hatchback with housing the 1.2L petrol motor which delivers 87 bhp. It is very much available in the second-hand car market for a steal price.

Before phasing out the Brio, it was retailed in a price range of Rs 4.82-6.90 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Some of the best features of the Brio are an LED mount lamp at its rear, ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, a front seatbelt pretensioner with load limiter, an engine immobilizer, electrically foldable mirrors (ORVM), four power windows, and a keyless entry.

Moreover, the Honda Brio has mileage between 16.5 and 18.5kpl, with the choice of a manual and automatic transmission. The price range for second-hand models for the Honda Brio model is usually between Rs. 2.20 – 5 lakh.

Below are the five stellar features that make a used Honda Brio worthy of buying:

• 1197cc petrol engine
• Mileage of 18kmpl
• Both manual and automatic gearboxes
• Dual front airbags and ABS
• Segment-first features

5. Hyundai i10

Hyundai i10

The Hyundai i10 and Grand i10 is one of the beginner cars. It is currently sold as the i10 NIOS with a turbocharged petrol engine. The hatch is easy to drive and maintain while it offers the best in class features. The hatch was sold in a price range of Rs 3.82-6.31 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

The i10 is preferred by many consumers due to its looks, spacious interiors and impeccable 1.2L petrol engine, mated to either manual or automatic gearbox. The Hyundai i10 delivers mileage between 17.49 and 24.95kpl and an engine ranging between 1186 to 1197cc. The starting price of the used Hyundai i10 is Rs 2 lakh.

Here are the top 5 stand-out features of the Hyundai i10:

• Available with 1086cc and 1197cc petrol engines
• Petrol as well as factory-fitted LPG fuel options
• Mileage between 16-20kmpl
• Sunroof as segment-first feature
• Driver’s side airbag and ABS as safety features

Read More: Used Car Buying Guide: Hyundai i10

The above-listed cars to buy for first-time buyers are curated based on durability, reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordable pricing. Therefore, if you are looking to buy a used car in the future, you know CARS24 has some of the best deals in the country!