The Toyota Corolla is possibly the most popular midsize sedan in Nigeria, with a long history of success since it first came out in 1966. Its closest competitor, the Toyota Camry, doesn’t quite match its popularity. The chances are that 9 out of every 10 Nigerians use a Corolla. Within a decade of its launch, the Corolla became the go-to choice for midsize sedan buyers. Its appeal lies in its combination of style, comfort, and great performance.
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Whether it’s the classy design, affordability, excellent fuel efficiency, or durability, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why the Corolla became so popular in Nigeria. What’s clear is that people from all walks of life prefer the Corolla, regardless of the model year. Why is that?
In this article, we will give an answer to that, giving you 7 reasons why the Toyota Corolla is the best car to get in Nigeria.
Affordability
When it comes to the Toyota Corolla, there is a Corolla for every budget. Even with the high prices of cars as a result of the rising dollar and high import duty in recent years, the Corolla still offers a budget-friendly option that would be perfect for your needs. Because a lot of people use Corollas in Nigeria, you can easily afford a Nigerian used model. A used Toyota Corolla from 2004 to 2007 can be priced between N2 million and N2.7 million in Nigeria, depending on its mileage and engine condition. With this tough economy, a car worth 2 million naira is a good deal. It could cost more if you’re opting for a Tokunbo, but it’s still way better and more affordable than other cars.
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It has great fuel economy
With the recent hike in the price of fuel, getting a car that is fuel-efficient is very important to most Nigerians. As of April 2024, fuel is sold at an average price of N800 per litre in various locations. That’s why many people prefer cars that don’t guzzle fuel. It’s important to save money on fuel, especially with so many other expenses to deal with. The Toyota Corolla is a car that is known for being very fuel-efficient. The Toyota Corolla has consistently provided a fuel-efficient vehicle for drivers, and the newest models are no exception. Models with a smaller 1.8-litre engine get around 29 to 30 miles per gallon with a manual transmission and 38 to 39 mpg with a CVT. Surprisingly, the more powerful 2.0-litre engine gets even better mileage, around 31 to 40 mpg, depending on the model. This means that whether you choose a smaller or more powerful engine, the Corolla remains a very fuel-efficient car option. Some Corolla owners always brag about how far their cars can go on specific amounts of gasoline. You might hear them say things like, “With just a little fuel, my Corolla can take me from Mile 2 to Ibadan.” This shows how fuel-efficient the car is. Additionally, cars that use less fuel also produce fewer carbon emissions, which matters to people who care about the environment when buying a car.
Impressive Resale Value
Most people buy their first cars for practical reasons, not for luxury. So most times, they might prefer buying a used car. The Toyota Corolla is popular in Nigeria because it has a great resale value and, as such, makes for a good buy for many of these Nigerians. Even on rough Nigerian roads, the Corolla still maintains its good frame. Toyota has the best resale value among non-luxury car brands, with 53.8 per cent of its value retained after five years. As anyone who has ever tried to resell a vehicle that they bought brand new or fairly used knows, a sharp depreciation in value occurs between the time they drive it off the new car stand, especially when you have registered it, and the time you want to sell it. Unlike most cars, which lose value quickly, the Toyota Corolla holds its value. For instance, a 2005 Toyota Corolla in Nigeria still sells for more than 2 million Naira, even after 10 years of use, while a 2005 Honda Civic loses almost 50% of its value, selling for about 650,000 Naira.
Low Maintenance Cost
If there is something people love about the Corolla, it is that it has a low maintenance cost. Because the Toyota Corolla has a dominant market in Nigeria and almost everyone has a Corolla, its spare parts are everywhere and easy to find. This makes getting a spare part quite cheap. Plus, it is very easy for mechanics to fix a Corolla because the chances are they have fixed it before. With a Toyota Corolla, it’s not a case of finding a specific mechanic to fix it or going far to get a particular spare part. Because of this, the cost of maintaining a Corolla is relatively low. Another good thing about the Corolla is that it has very few problems. Many owners report that other than changing the oil and replacing the spark plugs and brake pads, they have few repair costs. The Corolla is a rugged car that fits the bad state of Nigeria’s road networks without developing big faults. If there’s barely any problem with the cat, there will be no need for maintenance.
Safety
The Toyota Corolla is known for being really safe. Toyota is generally a brand that prioritizes safety. Take the 2016 model, for example. It got a perfect five-star rating in crash tests by the American Traffic Safety Administration. The American Institute for Highway Safety also gave it the highest score in almost all crash tests. And it’s not just 2016; even the 2020 Corolla got perfect scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. So, whether it’s an older model like 2016 or a newer one like 2020, Corollas are known for their top-notch safety. People can rely on the Toyota Corolla to get them safely to wherever they’re going.
Simplicity
Recently, many car dashboards have been overly complicated, resembling control panels from military aircraft with confusing instructions. However, the Corolla stands out by keeping things simple. While it’s not lacking in technology, the new Corollas has excellent electronic safety and infotainment features. What sets the Corolla apart from its competitors is how easy its tech options are to use. The interior design of the Corolla follows a minimalist approach, avoiding unnecessary buttons and flashy extras. This practical approach results in technology that’s straightforward, making it easy for both drivers and passengers to use and enjoy.
Ease of Resale
Apart from having a good resale value, the Toyota Corolla is so easy to resell. If you have a Toyota Corolla and you want to resell it, you’ll do it in no time. The Corolla has ease of resale in Nigeria because of its great reputation. It is reliable, durable, fuel-efficient, and has a great resale value. This makes it easy to convince a buyer that he should get a Corolla. Plus, the Corolla is a very practical car; it’s not just saying it does this or that; you can easily show what it can do. As long as the Corolla you’re selling is well-maintained, it would be easy to sell, and even if it wasn’t, there are spare parts readily available everywhere to make it look new again.
Conclusion
The Toyota Corolla is unarguably one of the best cars to get in Nigeria. It’s almost like it was built for Nigerians, with the tough Nigerian roads and the price of fuel in Nigeria. It is a great car, and it’s a car that is recommended for anyone looking to get a car in Nigeria.
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