When it comes to buying a car, there are so many things that car owners should consider before deciding on a car. Some of the top things car buyers want to know are its durability and fuel efficiency.
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In the Nigerian case, many car owners are drawn towards durable cars due to the poor road conditions in the country. With the spike in the price of fuel within the country, car buyers now want fuel-efficient cars more than ever. However, should durability be prioritized over fuel efficiency when buying cars in Nigeria?
In this article, we provide the answer to the question.
Importance of Buying Durable Cars in Nigeria
Rpad networks in present-day Nigeria are a mixture of paved highways, potholed city streets, and unpaved rural roads. Buying a durable car in the country is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Durable cars are built to handle the bumps, potholes, and uneven surfaces joined on many Nigerian roads. They provide peace of mind to drivers and passengers, ensuring a safer and more comfortable journey.
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When checking out durability during car purchase, these are the specifications car buyers in Nigeria look into:
- Vehicle Ground Clearance
Vehicles with higher ground clearance are better equipped to handle uneven surfaces without scraping the undercarriage.
- Vehicle Suspension
A vehicle with a strong suspension system helps absorb shocks from potholes and rough terrains, providing a smoother ride.
- Vehicle’s Body Build
A sturdy body structure can withstand impacts and maintain passenger safety in accidents.
- All-wheel drive (AWD) or Four-wheel drive (4WD)
These drivetrain options improve traction on slippery and unpaved surfaces.
- Durable Tires
High-quality, durable tires with deep treads provide better grip on uneven roads.
Durable Cars Available in Nigeria
There are a wide range of durable cars to purchase in Nigeria. Some of the top-rated ones on the list include:
- Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is famous and loved in Nigeria because it is reliable and durable. The Corolla is one car that will never spend unnecessary extra time in the mechanic workshop. They rarely break down. A Toyota Corolla model between 2002 and 2007 is bulletproof, which is why you see it all over the place, which has become annoying to people who notice cars on the road. Toyota Corolla leads the most reliable cars in Nigeria list.
- Toyota Prado
Toyota Prado is one Toyota SUV that just cuts across everything nicely when you are analyzing a full-size SUV. From 2009 to 2021, the Toyota Prado has been running on the same kind of engine variation, and it has never been problematic for its Nigerian users. The availability of parts and seasoned technicians for the Toyota Prado makes it the go-to SUV for the leaders of the corporate world in Nigeria. Everybody wants a car on the most reliable cars in Nigeria list, and the Prado is just perfect.
- Mercedes-Benz GLK
The Mercedes-Benz GLK is a compact SUV that Benz only produced for one generation between 2008 and 2015. This SUV had only one trim, the GLK350, and an almost perfect engine. The GLK just suited a lot of unique needs of Nigerians like maximum chilling A/C, leather seats, high ground clearance, premium interior entertainment, Mains switch in some models, etc.
- Lexus ES350
The Lexus ES350 from 2007 – 2021 is one of the best mid-size luxury sedan cars produced in the world today, and it is the best mid-price range luxury car you can buy in Nigeria. Unlike the Lexus IS and GS, the ES has no known problem or re-occurring fault. The Lexus ES also ages very well, so every Nigerian is trying to buy this car.
Safe to say, the Lexus ES is one of the most reliable cars Lexus has ever made. The car is straightforward to modify/facelift. I saw a 2008 Lexus ES350 with a 2020 model front fascia, which was imposing.
- Honda Civic
Honda Civics from 1995 till date has one of the most reliable drive-trains ever. Also, this is the first time I have seen a Honda Civic with that ball-joint failure problem in Nigeria. People just avoid the Civic for no concrete reason.
- Toyota 4Runner
The Toyota 4runner remains the most reliable SUV in the history of SUVs in Nigeria, which is also one of the reasons why the 4runner is so popular with Nigerians. 4runners are very much under-talked about because they don’t look the most attractive regarding matters of an SUV. Only owners of Toyota 4runners know that this SUV will never stress you in Nigeria.
Importance of Buying a Fuel-Efficient Car
With the increase in the price of fuel in Nigeria, fuel-efficient cars have become in high demand. Many car owners are now looking for cars that reduce fuel consumption. As such, most people are torn between compromising on vehicle durability over fuel economy.
Driving a fuel-efficient car reduces the fuel running costs you pay. Here are some of the top fuel-efficient cars you’ll find in Nigeria today.
- The Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is one of the most popular cars in Nigeria. Almost everyone in Nigeria drives a Corolla, and if you are looking for something that is not only fine looking but can conserve fuel very well, this car is undoubtedly your plug. Its fuel economy power ranges between 10 km/L to 13.7 km/L.
- Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is another car that is popular on many Nigerian roads. You must buy this car if you are looking for safety, comfort, fuel efficiency, and affordability. It is also spacious and built with a fantastic engine, with a fuel range of 12.3 km/L to 13.9 km/L.
- Mazda 3
The Mazda 3 is built to offer a feeling of luxury for its users. The car is built interiorly with luxury components that give it a feel; the Mazda 3 is also fuel-efficient and has excellent engine capability. Its fuel efficiency ranges between 10.6 km/L and 13.9 km/L.
- Toyota Camry
Like the Toyota Corolla, the Toyota Camry is popular on Nigerian roads. It is affordable, has a nice exterior, is easy to handle and drive, is comfortable, and easy to maintain, and getting its car maintenance done isn’t stressful as it is a popular car in Nigeria. Its fuel efficiency capacity ranges between 9.8 km/L to 13.6 km/L.
- Kia Forte
The Korean-built car has a great engine and safety features that help give its riders confidence when using it. It is almost similar to the Hyundai Elantra, but the Kia Forte was introduced in Nigeria before the latter in early 2000. Its fuel economy status ranges from 10.7 km/L to 14.5 km/L.
- Hyundai Sonata
Comfort, affordability, and ease of use are the highlights of this car. It offers a fuel efficiency range of 8.5 km/L to 13.9 km/L. It is also popular on Nigerian roads, as it is beautiful to look at and comes at a very affordable price.
Durability or Fuel Efficiency: Which is Better for Nigerian Roads?
Durability and fuel efficiency are both critical when buying a car in Nigeria. There’s no need to sacrifice one for the other because they are essential to car owners. Instead, focus on getting cars that have a mixture of both. Many cars in the market today are both durable and fuel-efficient. Toyota Corolla and Honda cars are a good example especially those with a four-cylinder engine.
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