Best Selling Used Hatchbacks in Chennai in 2024

Chennai's used car market has seen a remarkable surge in recent years, reflecting the nationwide shift toward second hand vehicles. Tamil Nadu alone contributed 6.1% to India's total used car sales last year, highlighting the region's growing demand for pre-owned cars.

According to our 2024 used car sales report, hatchbacks continue to dominate Chennai’s second-hand car market, making up 58% of all transactions. In this article, we’ll dive into the best-selling used hatchbacks in Chennai last year and explore what made them favorites among car buyers.

Top Selling Used hatchbacks in Chennai

Maruti Suzuki takes the lead with its iconic Swift, which continues to dominate Chennai’s pre-owned car market. The Swift also holds the title of India’s best-selling used hatchback in 2024, accounting for 11% of the country’s total second-hand car sales.

Hyundai has also carved out a strong presence in Chennai’s used hatchback market, with three of its models ranking among the city’s top five best-sellers. Notably, the Hyundai Grand i10 stood out as the only model to surpass the city’s average automatic car sales share of nearly 15%, with automatic variants making up 24% of all Grand i10 sales.

Maruti Suzuki Swift | 10% Used Hatchback Share in Chennai

Dominating the used car scene with a 10% market share, the Maruti Suzuki Swift remains the top pick for buyers in Chennai. Aided by its range of petrol and diesel engines, and clever packaging by Maruti Suzuki, in addition to good resale value, the Swift is a dominant player as the best selling used car in 2024.

The demand for manual transmission models far outweighs automatic variants, with 94% of used Swift cars in Chennai being the MT version. Petrol-powered Swifts accounted for 76% of the market, while diesel versions made up the remaining 24%, reflecting the enduring demand for the now-discontinued Fiat-sourced 1.3L DDiS diesel engine, which delivers exceptional mileage.

Hyundai i10 | 6% Used Hatchback Share in Chennai

The Hyundai i10 made its debut in the Indian market in the year 2007. But today, it holds 6% of Chennai’s used hatchback market and nearly 4% of the overall used market last year. The Hyundai i10 remains a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers in India. 

Hyundai offered the i10 with both 1.1L and 1.2L petrol engines, with all used i10 models in Chennai in the past year being petrol-powered. 89% of buyers preferred manual transmission, while 11% opted for the automatic, reflecting a modest demand for two-pedal convenience in this segment.

Hyundai Grand i10 | 5% Used Hatchback Share in Chennai

With a 5% market share in the Hyderabad used hatchback market, the Hyundai Grand i10 positions itself comfortably between the smaller i10 and the more premium i20.

A compelling alternative to Maruti Suzuki’s popular hatchbacks like the Swift, the Grand i10 has gained traction across the country, ranking as the fourth best-selling used hatchback with a 5% market share.

While most pre owned Grand i10 models in Chennai were still preferred in manual variants (78%), it had the highest automatic adoption rate (22%) among city’s top-selling hatchbacks. Fuel-wise, 96% of the Grand i10s sold were petrol models, while 4% were diesel-powered.

Maruti Suzuki Alto | 4% Used Hatchback Share in Chennai

The Maruti Suzuki Alto’s affordability, and reliability ensure it remains a top seller, capturing 4% of the used hatchback market in Chennai.Its popularity isn’t just limited to the hatchback category—it was also the fifth best-selling used car overall in Chennai, with nearly a 3% market share.

The Alto was initially launched with a 1.1-litre engine in India, but later generations introduced two different petrol engine options. Used Maruti Alto cars in Chennai buyers overwhelmingly favored manual transmission models, making the Alto an accessible and cost-effective choice.

Hyundai Elite i20 | 4% Used Hatchback Share in Chennai

Launched in 2014, the premium packaging of the Hyundai Elite i20 makes it a great choice in the used car market like in Chennai. In fact, it accounted for 4% of used hatchback sales in Chennai, remaining a top pick for buyers wanting a feature-rich, stylish, and comfortable hatchback. 

Despite its premium positioning, 97% of second hand i20 models in Chennai were opted with the manual transmission, showing that driving engagement still matters in this segment. Petrol variants led sales, making up 77% of the used i20 market, while diesel versions contributed 23%, catering to those who prioritize long-distance efficiency.

Conclusion

The Chennai used car market in 2024 highlights a clear preference for manual transmission hatchbacks, with automatic variants gaining traction in select models like the Grand i10. Petrol-powered cars dominate sales, although diesel versions remain relevant in models like the Swift and Elite i20.

For buyers seeking affordability and dependability, the Alto and i10 remain strong contenders. The Swift and Grand i10 strike the perfect balance between performance and practicality, while the Elite i20 caters to those looking for a premium hatchback experience