Travelling from Lagos to Onitsha by road will take you roughly 6 hours 34 minutes and this covers a distance of 452 kilometres. This might seem a long distance to cover but it is a trip millions of Nigerians look forward to; not just to Onitsha but to different destinations across the country, especially during major holidays like Christmas and the New Year.
If you have plans to travel to the East, North, West or South-South states and capitals in Nigeria by road, then it’s important to know what type of car you should be driving.
To make this easier, we reached out to auto experts and they came up with a list of top 10 cars you should be driving if you’ll be travelling by road this holiday. This is why enlisting the service of car experts before you buy a car is essential. The cars on this list are known for features like space, durability, security and comfort. “Space and cargo volume should take precedence over things like speed and a luxurious interior,” Victor Iyagin, the Inventory Quality Control Supervisor, Cheki Nigeria explained. Have a look at the list below:
Toyota Sienna
The Toyota Sienna is a solid minivan and it offers you plenty of space and cargo room. It is the only car in its class that offers to the all-wheel-drive feature.
Budget: In terms of pricing, your budget for a used (foreign or locally used) Toyota Sienna will fall between N900,000 and N16 million for models ranging between 2002 and 2016.
Toyota Land Cruiser
This is Toyota’s longest-running four-wheel drive series and it is a gem for road trips. It is built for tough environments and terrains and comes with plenty of space.
Budget: To buy a used (foreign used or locally used) Toyota Land Cruiser, your budget will fall between N3 million and N128 million for models ranging between 2003 and 2018.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
In some markets, this car is simply referred to as the Toyota Prado. The Prado is a full-size four-wheel-drive vehicle in the Toyota Land Cruiser range and offers you excellent safety features, a powerful engine performance, spacious interior and a robust suspension system.
Budget: Buying a used (foreign used or locally used) Toyota Land Cruiser Prado will cost you between N2.6 million and N37.5 million for models ranging from 2006 to 2019.
Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux is rugged, reliable and trusted for long road trips where you need far more cargo space than most cars can offer. The Hilux has a proven reputation for exceptional sturdiness and reliability even with sustained heavy use.
Budget: If you have plans to buy a used (foreign used or locally used) Toyota Hilux, it will cost you between N3.5 million and N26.5 million for models ranging from 2010 to 2019.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is a mid-size crossover SUV. It was introduced in 2002 and has since carved a reputation for itself as the largest SUV from Honda and features three-row seating.
Budget: To buy a used (foreign used or locally used) Toyota Pilot, it will cost you between N1 million and N22 million for models ranging from 2003 to 2018.
Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder is a popular choice for road trips in Nigeria and the reason for its wide adoption is simple – Its reliability is above average, keeps you and your family cozy and can withstand tough roads and terrains.
Budget: Buying a used (foreign used or locally used) Nissan Pathfinder will cost you between N600,000 and N7.3 million for models ranging from 2002 to 2013.
Toyota HiAce
The Toyota HiAce is a light commercial van that comes loaded with cabin space. With the HiAce, you’re guaranteed more legroom, headroom and a heightened level of in-cabin comfort.
Budget: For a used (foreign used or locally used) Toyota HiAce, your budget will sit between N1.5 million and N23.5 million for models ranging from 1999 to 2018.
Toyota Venza
The Toyota Venza is a mid-size five-passenger crossover SUV and is known for its reliability, stylish look, easy entry and exit, cargo space and clever storages. it also has easy-to-fold rear seats, comfortable interior that comes with plenty of rear-seat space.
Budget: Trusted dealers in Nigeria who sell used (foreign used or locally used) Toyota Venza have pegged your budget between N3 million and N13.5 million for models ranging from 2009 to 2015.
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is a mid-size crossover SUV built on the same platform as used on the Toyota Camry. It has sufficient storage room and is perfect for a growing family.
Budget: You can buy a used (foreign used or locally used) Toyota Highlander with a budget of between N1.2 million and N32 million for models ranging from 2003 to 2019.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry typically outsells other sedans in its category. It’s a perfect car for a family planning a road trip. In addition to having good fuel economy, its reputation for transporting families over long distances is truly impressive.
Budget: Are you interested in a used (foreign used or locally used) Toyota Camry? If you responded with a ‘yes,’ then your budget should fall between N600,000 and N28 million for models ranging from 1999 to 2018.
Final Thoughts on Cars For Road Trips
Now that you know what car to buy, it is also important to pay attention to other vital things. For instance, there are things you need to check in your car before a road trip.
Do not drive when you are stressed or sick. You should familiarise yourself with the car’s blind spots and always remember to wear your seatbelt.