If roads are not a factor in choosing which car to buy in Nigeria, then you’re most certainly not going to have the best auto experience. The Nigerian road condition, while not unique is in its own right particular. Considering this will help you determine the right type of cars to be at the top of your to-buy list. This article will give you the top 5 cars suited for Nigerian roads.
This is why many Nigerians go for SUVs, mini-trucks, and vehicles with high ground clearance. These cars are high enough to escape the worst. They also come equipped with shocks and transmissions that are relatively more rugged than regular sedans.
Nigerian roads can be rugged and unfriendly. There are only a handful of motorable roads in many states in Nigeria. And although some select Northern states enjoy good roads, it’s usually only in selected areas and for short lengths.
The common culprit? Potholes.
Potholes are the real issue. It is almost a certainty that you will find them in major cities in Nigeria. These potholes can easily damage vital car parts, hike maintenance costs, and even lead to fatal accidents. Potholes are increasing due to human and natural factors like weather. It is critical to ensure that your car is ideally suited to these road conditions and where unavoidable, spare parts and expertise is readily available.
Purchasing cars that can match the rugged terrain of Nigerian roads, might cost a pretty dollar either on the car itself or on petrol and maintenance costs. Thankfully, you’ve got the option to buy used cars from Auto Auction Mall in excellent condition so you can save $1000s on new cars. The top 5 used cars suited for Nigerian roads are listed below.
Further Reading
- Importing Used and Salvage Vehicles From The United States To Nigeria
- Exporting Cars from the USA to Nigeria
Which cars are suited for Nigerian roads?
SUVs with high ground clearance and big wheels are a main part of the list. Affordability, fuel economy, features, availability of spare parts, and technical car specs are also reasons for this selection.
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Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder is a beautifully built city four-wheel drive SUV, with four doors and space for seven passengers. The apparent reason why the Nissan Pathfinder makes the list of cars suitable for Nigerian roads is that it’s an SUV.
Nissan Pathfinder
Some of the features and specifications that also contribute majorly to its ability to survive in our tough terrain include; its fuel economy rated at 19/26mpgcity/hwy (est), 3.5-litres V-6 engine, 284hp, city cruising range of mi370.50, highway mi507.00 and the four-wheel brake system.
It is readily available on Auto Auction Mall and you will have minimal difficulty finding the spare parts of this car. You can either order from your local retailers in Ladipo spare parts market, Amazon, or from the manufacturers.
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The Jeep Wrangler
Do you have to drive off roads sometimes? Are a dozen potholes leading up to your house or office? This is just the car for you.
For tough potholed roads, washed off under construction roads, and off-road or rocky paths, you should totally get this car.
The jeep wrangler is a two-door, four passenger four-wheel drive, with a 3.6-litre V-6 engine, 285hp, and cruising city and highway range of mi 314.50 and mi 462.50 respectively. It has a four-wheel brake system, fuel economy rated at 17/25 mpg city/hwy (est), and readily available spare parts. Some other features worthy of mention include the 6-speed manual transmission, engine auto stop-start feature, Electro-hydraulic power assist steering, and gas-pressurized shock absorbers to keep you afloat in those nasty potholes.
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Toyota Sequoia
Toyota Sequoia seems to be deliberately designed for Nigerian roads. This explains its popularity in pothole ridden areas like Satellite town in Lagos. The Sequoia’s high ground clearance and large wheels make it the perfect car to consider. Its vast size is not wasted as it can take up to eight passengers easily. This vehicle rides through bumps and potholes really smoothly.
Here are some of the specifications. Engine- V-8, 5.7L, Passenger Capacity-8, Gas mileage-13 mpg city/17 mpg hwy. Fuel economy- hwy mp est 17/combined mpg 15/ mpg city est 13.
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Land Rover/Range Rover
A sedan or low rider might be trendy and suave to own, but it is a bad idea if you have to continually drive through challenging roads, a near normal situation in Nigeria. If the Toyota Sequoia or Jeep Wrangler doesn’t appeal to you, a fourth car option is the Rover Land and Range.
Like the previous cars on this list, high ground clearance, large wheels, and powerful engines will help this car glide over or get out of any pothole or slippery road surface. Here are some specifications that contribute to the car’s efficiency.
Cruising range- city:mi 499.40, hwy:mi 635.60, fuel economy est hwy:mpg 28, city: mpg 22, four-wheel brake system, engine 3.0L/183, front tire size-P255/50WR20, rear tire size-P255/50WR20 and of course very available spare parts that can be gotten from your local store or shipped in.
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Mercedes Benz G-Class
If class, functionality, and performance are as important as navigating the potholes, then the Mercedes G-Class is the perfect vehicle for you.
More pricey than the others on this list, the G-wagon as the G-class is popularly called in Nigeria is sure to help you successfully navigate any terrain challenges or bumpy roads you might encounter. It is a four-door all-wheel-drive vehicle that can carry five passengers.
It comes with a 4.0-liter turbocharged 8-cylinder engine; with 416 hp, 450 lb-ft; 7-speed automatic transmission, and fuel economy rated at mpg 11 for both cities and highways. It operates a four-wheel brake system with disc brakes in front and at the rear as well. The size of the front tire is P325/55VR22 while that of the rear is P325/55VR22.
While Nigerian road conditions continue to improve, be sure to have the perfect car that can conserve fuel. A car with good mileage, brakes, befitting tires, enough space for passengers and a reliable engine to back it up.
More common sedan cars like the Camry, Corolla, Nissan, Volkswagen, Ford, and Peugeot also hold their own on the typical Nigerian road. However, get ready for more trips to the auto mechanic’s shop and a car lifespan of continually changing auto parts.
How you drive also goes a long way in determining how often you’ll need to change shocks and weld silencers. In the end, it’s also about your driving, not just the car.
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