During the winter of 2025, the used car market in Russia saw a strong preference for homegrown brands, particularly Lada. According to reports from the SberAuto platform, Lada cars accounted for a significant 13% of all used car purchases during this period. Following closely, Kia and Toyota made up 9% and 7% of the used car market, respectively. The sales data also highlighted Hyundai and Volkswagen's popularity, contributing 6% and 5% to the overall transactions.
The most sought-after used vehicles include models such as the Lada Granta, priced at around 800,000 rubles, and the Lada Vesta, which costs about 1.1 million rubles. Other favorites on the list are the Kia Rio, Hyundai Solaris, and Ford Focus, listed at approximately 910,000 rubles, 900,000 rubles, and 720,000 rubles respectively. Adding to this, the Lada Niva captured attention at 1 million rubles, while the Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Octavia were priced at 890,000 and 990,000 rubles, respectively.
Interestingly, the trend reveals that 92% of transactions conducted on the SberAuto platform were for used cars, indicating a pronounced consumer preference for pre-owned vehicles. Further analysis shows that a majority of the used cars—53%—were not older than 10 years, whereas vehicles up to five years old represented 23% of the total sales. The average check for purchasing a used car also reported to be 1.3 million rubles over the winter.
The evolving market dynamics demonstrated a noticeable interest in Chinese automobile brands among Russian consumers as well. Haval, Geely, and Chery emerged as the most popular among Chinese vehicles, with models like the Haval Jolion, Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, and Haval F7 leading the sales.
The analysis from SberAuto maintains that the driving forces behind consumer choices in the used car market lie in affordability and familiarity with domestic brands. With Lada vehicles being locally manufactured, many consumers are inclined towards supporting homegrown brands like Lada for their reliability and straightforward servicing. This phenomenon not only underlines consumer preferences but also reflects on broader economic sentiments within the country.
When comparing the average prices, Lada remains the frontrunner in affordability and accessibility for many buyers. The brand still offers a blend of price and functionality that resonates well with the Russian populace. For instance, the Lada Granta, being among the cheapest models available, illustrates how pricing impacts purchasing decisions.
To better understand the market trends, SberAuto's recent study emphasizes that most purchases are made by individuals who prioritize practicality over luxury. In a period where economic conditions influence consumer confidence, it seems that Russian buyers are stepping away from more extravagant purchases to focus on vehicles that meet their everyday needs.
With winter sales providing crucial insights into consumer behavior in Russia, analysts suggest that as long as domestic brands continue to provide affordability and reliability, we likely will not see significant shifts in choices made by consumers. The alignment of pricing to consumer expectations remains vital for car manufacturers as they adapt to the changing demands of their target market.
As we move toward the spring season, attention will be on how these trends will evolve and if newer market entrants, especially from foreign and Chinese brands, can sway preferences away from established Russian brands. Overall, the data paints a picture of a market that, while favoring domestic brands like Lada, is also opening up to international influences.
