Market Watch: What Popular Used Cars Are You Searching On Carousell?

We’re already a couple of months into 2026, which in car world speak, feels significant enough for the market to shift. For new cars in Singapore's context, 2026 sees VES only reward EVs; while hybrids lose all rebates and as expected, pure ICE cars will be faced with steeper surcharges. Revised PARF rebates did not make new car deals any sweeter!

But it’s not all doom and gloom though! As pre-owned cars belong to a different kettle of fish, these cars avoid the steep depreciation hit - some benefits include lower upfront cost, and if you’re not into the numerical arms race, profit from a broader choice of vehicles across more generations.

Popular cars you’ve been searching on Carousell have not only been stuff of dreams. In fact, some are diamonds in the rough, hitting sweet spots some would find tough to argue against.

Are the most clicked-on cars by you brimming with star quality? Let’s find out!

2008 Lexus RX400h Hybrid

A 3.3-litre V6 sounds excessive on paper today, but browse the back catalogue and we’ll find that there’s a particular hybrid-equipped Lexus that still makes sense. The RX400h’s 2,000kg kerbweight sounds “routine” in an era of 700kg battery packs. It pushes decent numbers - fuel consumption of 12.3km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 7.8 seconds. All these for 1 grand monthly depreciation. Now we’re talking!

2008 Toyota Mark X 2.5G

Toyota’s moves in recent years have shocked the performance car world, with Gazoo Racing spearheading proceedings. On the other end of the spectrum, let’s not forget that Toyota also knew how to build brilliant, luxury cars that are not marketed as Lexus! The Mark X shares the same platform as the Lexus GS and Toyota Crown, both larger-than-life cruisers and crucially, rear-wheel drive. It was sold via parallel importers from the late noughties. No other manufacturer offered RWD and luxury at that price point brand new. Now, this can be your golden ticket at S$1,000 depreciation monthly!

2021 Honda Fit 1.3

It’s comforting to know that most of you are still keen on compact, pure ICE examples. Sure, it doesn’t stack up well against EVs of the same caliber in terms of NVH and features. But with VES surcharges for petrol cars now locked in at more harsh levels, cars like the Honda Fit will not be as appealing from a financial standpoint. Still, take nothing away from its wide breadth of abilities - it’s spacious, easy to drive, economical, reliable and relatively cheap to run. For those not fully invested in the EV game, this pre-owned option will be hugely tempting.

2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 1.5 (M)

Cheap-to-run hatchbacks are few and far between. Add in a stick shift and now it can be categorised as a rare groove machine in 2026. Treat this Aveo5 as a Dongfeng Box-equivalent in today’s world, way before EV became widespread. Fuss free, functional and ideal for city runs. Arriving at less than 8 grand depreciation annually. You’re clearly buying into late noughties nostalgia!

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