Introduction

We are India’s largest car portal. Yes, we can say that proudly, thanks to the monthly count of 23 million visitors of which 12 million are unique, thus putting us in the forefront of the online car market. What this means is that we have managed to get a unique insight into the mind of the modern car buyer.

Using this insight and the considerable resources at our disposal, we have managed to get you the top researched cars on CarWale for 2017. The list is surprising and not so surprising at the same time. We say this is a paradox because on the one hand there are new entrants on the list and at the same time apart from some new entrants, it is almost the same players from 2016 who have made it to the top of the list for 2017. We have considered the period January 1, 2017 to the day of publishing this story which is December 14, 2017.

Top 10 cars

10. Maruti Suzuki Alto 800-3.06 lakh enquires

We start from the bottom and coming in tenth place is the Maruti Suzuki Alto 800. It is the Japanese automaker’s most successful model and has existed in one form or another since 1983. The car had been at the top of the list for a long time but has slid down the order list due to change in buyer preferences and also the fact that the Alto brand name has always travelled by word of mouth.

9. Tata Tiago 3.31 lakh enquiries

This is Tata’s new entry-level product and is priced in the range of Rs 3.21 lakhs to Rs 5.75 lakhs. It can be had with petrol power, diesel power with the former even getting the option of an AMT. It has been a major hit for Tata, setting a good base for them to start a new innings in terms of models. We believe that most enquires have come from urban areas for this car.

8. Hyundai Elite i20- 3.76 lakh enquires

It is the largest hatchback that Hyundai sells in India and is the most premium vehicle that they offer for a shade under Rs 10 lakhs. It is a big jump from the Tiago in terms of numbers but it seems to have slid down the order list from 2016. We believe that this high number is down to huge interest in the car in urban areas where its funky looks and vast amount of space is a good package.

7. Hyundai Creta- 3.77 lakh enquires

SUVs are trending currently and it should come as no surprise that a feature loaded SUV like the Creta gets 3.77 lakh enquiries over the year. The interest in the Creta, apart from its features, appears to be due to its diversity in terms of engine and gearbox options, making the car appealing to a wide range of buyers.

6. Maruti Suzuki Ignis- 3.90 lakh enquires

Maruti’s new bug-eyed boy has managed to make its way to the top of the list thanks to the premium appeal of the Nexa badging. Most people have been polarized on the looks, but underneath those bug eyes is a feature loaded car. Also it is one of the first vehicles in this part of the market to offer a diesel AT option.

5. Renault Kwid-4.69 lakh enquires

It was a brave move by the French automaker to try and take on the might of Maruti Suzuki in the A-segment and it looks like the try has paid off. The Kwid matches the Alto, model for model and has come in five places above the Alto 800. It might not be averaging as many units as the Alto 800 but, nonetheless, it has cemented Renault’s place in the entry-level section of the market.

4. Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza 5.73 lakh enquires

The concept of a compact SUV has been around for a while, but a major leap for the body style only came about when Maruti Suzuki decided to join the game with the Vitara Brezza. The car averages anywhere from 10,000 to 14,000 units every month putting far ahead of a group of manufacturers total sales.

3. Maruti Suzuki Swift – 5.91 lakh enquires

We are now looking at the podium for 2017 and on the bottom step is the Maruti Suzuki Swift. The current car might be over four years old but that has not diminished its popularity at all! It is the leader in terms of B-segment hatchbacks and we believe that the new car, which will debut at Delhi 2018, will take over where the current car leaves off.

2. Maruti Suzuki Dzire- 6.08 lakh enquiries

Finishing in at step two of the podium is Maruti Suzuki, again. And this time around, it is the Dzire which entered a new generation this year. While the car was already popular, this generational change has seen it sell over one lakh units within 6 months and raise the stakes in terms of what compact sedans can offer.

1. Maruti Suzuki Baleno- 7.08 lakh enquiries

Topping the chart for 2017 is the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. It is the Japanese automaker’s premium B-segment hatchback and has been really successful for them since its launch in 2015. In fact since the second half of this year, it has been achieving numbers on a scale similar to what we observed with the Alto range a few years ago.

Final observations

A. There is a shift in consumer preferences in terms of models. The shift has gone from the A-segment to the B+ segment. This is why the Baleno and Dzire have topped the list

B. Maruti Suzuki is the clear leader in the market with a 52 per cent market share and this is evident in the fact that they have a combined amount of over 25 lakh enquiries from being in the top five list.