Why Middle-Class Nigerians Choose Lexus Over BMW, and Mercedes-Benz As Their Luxury Car

A lot of middle-class Nigerians drive a Lexus these days as opposed to the BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. The Lexus, which is a Toyota’s luxury brand actually has quite a bit in common with its upscale counterpart when you look at the offerings of each and their price tags. Still purchasing a luxury vehicle is a major investment. 

So, what exactly does the Lexus have that matches it up to BMW and other luxury brands? Why do so many Nigerians choose Lexus over the competition?

What Lexus Drivers are Saying

On Twitter, someone asked: What made you choose Lexus over Mercedes/BMW/? Several Lexus owners came forward to answer. One owner of a Lexus IS350 F Sport mentioned not having a lot of faith in BMW and their lack of industrial support in Nigeria. Also, they added that they didn’t think of Mercedes cars as luxury vehicles at all except you purchase a particular level of the Mercedes. 

The commenter also added that they also own an Audi, but they felt the Lexus offered better value and greater reliability.

One owner was on their second vehicle. They specifically stated that Lexus offered them the best reliability, quality, and value. They also found it fun to drive.

So, while that’s what most Lexus car owners are saying, here are the top reasons why middle-class Nigerians prefer Lexus cars as their luxury vehicles.

Lexus Vehicles Have Great Performance

When it comes to performance, the luxury automaker does very well. Take the Lexus ES, for example. The 2020 models offer two powertrain choices for buyers. All trim levels get the 3.5-litre V6 that gets 302 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. 

Paired with an automatic eight-speed transmission, the power is sent to the front wheels. There’s also a hybrid model with a powertrain that gets 215 hp and 153 lb-ft of torque. That’s mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with standard front-wheel drive. The hybrid model of ES can also get up to 44 mpg.

According to Car and Driver, the gas-fed models of the 2020 ES have a spirited drive with solid handling. The quality of the ride is important to luxury car enthusiasts. There are bigger wheels and a suspension that’s programmed to be more performance-based on the F Sport trim level for a more athletic experience.

Lexus Vehicle Has Good Reliability Ratings 

When it comes to predicted reliability, according to Consumer Reports, Lexus offers consistently good predicted reliability ratings across its lineup. Audi was a close second. While the A3 and A4 had great reliability ratings, the A6 received a one out of five. The Mercedes-Benz reliability ratings weren’t as good.

Lexus has also fared well in J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study, holding the top spot for eight years. Lexus’ reliability rating had increased between 2019 and 2020 the study found.

Lexus Vehicles Have Great Market Value

Lexus has great market value in Nigeria more than BMW and lower Audi cars. Yes, it’s got great reliability ratings and it’s more affordable to maintain over a period of time. Two Lexus vehicles made the top three Best Entry-Level Luxury Car Resale Value list from Kelley Blue Book for 2020. 

The Lexus ES took the top spot in 2020 according to KBB with a solid predicted resale value of 37.9 per cent after five years of ownership. 

Conclusion

Middle-class Nigerians who prefer Lexus above the other luxury brands have strong reasons. With its outstanding quality, reliability, and resale value, this automaker provides an upscale experience. With its comfortable, opulent interior and impressive ride, it’s sure to please most luxury car fans. To top it off, it’s even way more affordable than BMW in Nigeria and easier to maintain. So, who wouldn’t love to own a Lexus? Absolutely nobody.