5 Cars to Buy in Nigeria if You are on a Tight Budget

Considering how expensive cars have gotten in Nigeria following the Naira devaluation and the increase in import tariff, most Nigerians find it hard to purchase a decent car. As such, many will be thrilled to find the best possible car for the least amount of money. 

For many Nigerians, the goal isn’t to own the most luxurious cars like the Bentley, Rolls-Royce or even the Lamborghini. The dream is to be able to afford neat and decent rides that afford owners the best comfort and performance.

If you are in that category, then these five cars we’ve highlighted will certainly capture your attention. As such, if you are on a tight budget, here are car brands you should consider buying from today.

1. Kia Forte

Kia Forte is a model owned by the Korean automaker, Kia. Korean carmakers have always presented great value for money and the Kia Forte perfectly embodies that. Kia, like its mother company, Hyundai, has moved into an upper echelon when it comes to building quality and innovation, but the Kia Forte is still the third-cheapest car on the list. 

What’s more, many reviewers are already calling it the new king of compact sedans due to its exceptional value for money. The Forte was never a performance model, but this new model boasts sharp handling compared to its predecessors.

2. Toyota Corolla

Interestingly, Toyota is not a luxury car brand. But you can never go wrong with a Toyota brand in Nigeria. The Corolla is even a testament to that fact. Toyota’s compact model is an all-time classic. Not that most Corollas will become classics, but the model boasts a rich history as one of the most popular, most dependable cars you can buy. 

Despite its great reputation, you can pick a brand-new one or even a used model. The non-hybrid model of the Corolla comes with a 169-horsepower, 2.0-litre four-banger, which is, actually, a non-turbocharged version of the GR Supra’s turbo-four engine.

The Corolla boasts one of the best interiors in its price range, in addition to generous standard equipment. The rear seats are cramped, and the hatchback model offers below-average cargo space, compared to the more practical Corolla sedan. 

Aside from that, the Corolla offers comfortable ride quality and great fuel economy – up to 32 MPG city and 41 highway. With a reliability score of 4.5/ 5, the 2023 Corolla is as reliable as ever.

3. Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai cars are also becoming very popular in Nigeria, and the Elantra is one vehicle that has many Nigerians in a chokehold! In many ways, the Hyundai Elantra is a slightly more upscale Kia Forte so, almost everything true for the Forte is true for the mother company’s offering in the segment. 

The current-generation Elantra has been around since 2020 and the 2024 model is bringing a mid-cycle refresh, featuring a much prettier front end. The 2024 Hyundai Elantra no longer looks like a deep-sea fish and brings new colour options and wheel designs. 

More importantly, you get a more generous array of standard safety features including rear-side airbags, Lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert to name a few.

The engine options match those on the Kia Forte – a 2.0 naturally-aspirated base engine and a 1.6-liter GDI turbo-four. The latter can be had with a six-speed manual while the base engine can only be paired to Hyundai’s version of a CVT, called IVT. 

Aside from that, you get generous interior space, high perceived reliability, and fuel economy of up to 33 MPG city and 42 MPG highway, with the base engine.

4. Mazda 3

The third-generation Mazda 3 has been around since 2019, in both, hatchback and sedan form, but it’s still one of the best-looking and most innovative compact models. Easily the most underrated Mazda of 2023, the Mazda 3 base trim comes with a 2.5-litre engine that provides adequate performance while returning 23 to 28 MPG city and 31 to 37 MPG highway.

The six-speed automatic is smooth rather than sporty, but if you upgrade to the Premium level, you can have a six-speed manual. All-wheel drive is optional. The Mazda 3 offers one of the most upscale interiors in the segment, although cargo space isn’t the greatest. 

The sedan, in particular, offers just 13.2 cubic feet while the hatchback boasts 20.1 cubic feet. Still, even the base Mazda 3 comes with plenty of standard features and the non-turbocharged 2.5-liter engine is strong enough for most needs.

5. Honda Civic

The Civic has always been a slightly more expensive, more exciting proposition to Toyota’s Corolla and the current 2023 model is no exception. Typical for a Japanese model, the Honda Civic offers great handling and a functional interior with generous standard equipment. 

While the infotainment system isn’t the latest in the segment, it’s intuitive, and you still get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with Bluetooth connectivity. Both, the base 2.0-litre and optional, 1.5-liter turbo-four engines are dependable, meaning they will last you many miles if you take care of them.

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Unlike some other entries on the list, Honda still gives you the option of choosing a six-speed manual instead of a CVT. The Civic hatchback comes with 14.8 cubic feet of cargo space while the sedan packs 24.5 cubic feet. For 2024, the Civic is getting a hybrid powertrain, similar to the new Accord.

Conclusion

If you are in the market for an affordable car, look out for any models of these vehicles, they are usually more affordable compared to other vehicles. Whether you get a 2015 model of the Toyota Corolla, it is still affordable compared to a 2015 model of a Bentley and will offer as much comfort as the Bentley could. Well, something very close!