04Apr
First of all, our focus in this article is on the most capable cars for Nigerian roads available in the used car market. So, we’re focusing on cars, excluding SUVs. Here is our article about the ten most reliable SUVs for Nigerian roads.
Secondly, the cars we've selected are simply the best capable of safely maneuvering the typical Nigerian bad roads. As such, some of the cars you see here may not be so popular, but that doesn't change the facts of their brilliant suspension system, higher ground clearance, and overall capability and reliability.
The good thing is that, unlike Western demographics like the USA, where some models that don't meet local safety and/or emissions regulations can’t get legally imported into the country, these cars can be bought and legally imported into Nigeria as long as the importer follows due process.
Having said all that, it's quicker and probably cheaper to arm yourself with a more suitable car than complaining and waiting for the government to build good roads and/or fix the bumps and potholes that diminish your vehicles' life span and threaten the safety of the driver, passengers, and other road users. The cars below are more capable of surviving potholes and speeding through dangerously muddy terrain with relative ease and safety. Let’s vroom.
Related Reading: 13 Reasons Why You Should Steer Clear Of The 2017 Mazda CX-3
1. Fiat Panda City Cross
Generally, the passive suspension is the best suspension system for bumpy roads, using springs and shock absorbers to manage rough terrains and deliver a smoother ride. The City Cross is a more rugged, surprisingly off-road-capable, 4WD version of the regular Fiat Panda hatchback. You may not see this car every day but Fiat might as well have built this tiny and affordable 4X4 for the tough Nigerian economic climate and challenging roads.
After a road test, Car Throttle described the car’s suspension as “delightfully soft and wallowy, which soaked up the broken roads of northern Italy very well.” Yes, Fiat is an Italian brand officially marketed in Nigeria, courtesy of Weststar Associates Limited.
Standard features on the Fiat Panda City Cross, such as a Torque-on-Demand AWD system, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Locking Differential, and Hill Descent Control, make it a sure-footed little deer on tricky terrains. The "Cross" in its name betrays the enhanced off-road capability, while the "City" reminds everyone that this Panda is very comfortable in urban jungles rather than actual forests.
2. Toyota Corolla
The Corolla is one of the most popular cars in Nigeria. Factors that endear a model to Nigerian drivers include fuel efficiency, reliability, and availability of parts, but the Corolla is also preferred for its solid build and capable suspension. We’re not saying you should expect the same level of road manners associated with off-road-specific vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler.
However, you can be sure that the shot-callers at Toyota’s product management department specified a soft suspension built with robust components for the Corolla, resulting in the pillowy ride drivers around the world love about the Corolla. If you prefer stiffer suspensions, you would love Volkswagen cars.
Here’s a fun fact you probably didn’t know about your Corolla: the suspensions have different part numbers for the various trims, including the S (Sport model) and the regular L, LE, SE, XLE, and XSE. You guessed it right; each suspension delivers a unique driving experience, with the S model considered to have a stiffer suspension than the L, LE, and the rest.
That means, for the purpose of this article, you want to bypass the Corolla Sport model for the LE, etc. While it's true that the latest Corolla alternatives, such as Mazda 3 and Honda Civic, offer more fun-to-drive handling, the Corolla is the way to go for more comfortable ride quality. Besides, the Corolla has a sporty variant to take on the Civic and Mazda.
3. Volkswagen Golf
Perhaps, more advantageous than the VW Golf’s reliability and surprisingly comfortable cabin are the car’s compact size, improving maneuverability around bad roads, and the precise steering that further improves that maneuverability. The Golf is one of the oldest brands to hit Nigerian roads and seems to have adapted well to the challenging driving conditions.
The automaker’s four-motion AWD system, allowing the engine to send power to the front and rear axle rather than just one axle in other models, helps improve the Golf’s traction in slippery conditions. This comes with a drive mode selector that allows for off-road driving. The Golf’s ride quality is smooth even on rough roads, ultimately making it one of the most reliable cars for Nigerian roads you can buy on the used car market today.
4. Skoda Octavia Scout
Say you want to buy a Skoda today, and the typical Nigerian driver will go, "Buy a Toyota instead." Frankly, the Toyota craze in Nigeria is almost to the point of annoyance. They make it sound like the risk of headaches is pretty high if it isn't a Toyota.
Yes, the parts market is on fire for Toyota models, but it doesn’t mean you can’t buy and enjoy a less-popular model like the Skoda Octavia in Nigeria. Interestingly, Skoda cars enjoy a general reputation of better build and dependability compared to rival Japanese and Korean brands, which is saying a lot.
Volkswagen now owns Skoda Auto, but the brand's headquarters remain in the Czech Republic, where the first Skoda car – the Voiturette – was born in 1905. So, Skoda has been around long enough to know a thing or two about building reliable cars capable of taking abuse much better than most popular cars in Nigeria.
The Octavia Scout is a rugged off-road-specific version of the Octavia estate wagon more popular in European markets like the UK. The Scout employs a permanent 4WD system, has more ground clearance due to the raised suspension, and uses more powerful engines - a combination that gives it SUV capabilities without the premium price tag.
The black plastic cladding and front and rear scuff plates certainly help in unfriendly driving environments like Nigerian roads. You might actually prefer this to a traditional SUV because the Octavia Scout is easier to park and certainly looks cooler than many SUVs with a similar price point.
As if these features and the spacious trunk volume aren’t enough, the Octavia Scout also has a Rough Road package that provides extra protection for the engine and undercarriage. This one might as well have been built for Nigerian roads.
Related Reading: The 5 Best And Worst Model Years Of The Toyota Corolla
5. Cadillac XTS
It’s sad that even those who can afford it shy away from investing in a luxury sedan due to the sorry state of many Nigerian roads. Some only use their luxury cars in urban cities with comparatively better roads. But they still won’t dare take the car out of the garage when it rains.
If you’re looking for a luxury car with the refinement to hold its own in rough terrains, you should consider the Cadillac XTS. The XTS owners should be particularly proud of the model’s smart Automatic Level Control rear suspension, utilizing self-leveling rear air springs to maintain the ride height even when loaded down. This ensures you don’t scrap your precious car’s underside when driving through potholes and road bumps.
As GM Authority explained, “The system works thanks to an air compressor that’s connected to the rear air springs. It’s this compressor that raises or lowers the rear of the XTS to maintain proper vehicle height. A tell-tale sign that the system is raising the XTS is the somewhat-noticeable noise made by the air compressor when it’s in action.” It’s a smart suspension system that's only active when the engine is running, automatically adjusting vehicle height as needed.
6. Volvo S90
It seems many Nigerian drivers are increasingly aware of the Volvo brand as a viable alternative to the Toyotas and Mercedeses, where reliability, fuel economy, luxury amenities, and strong build are concerned. The Swedish brand reinforced its position as a manufacturer of excellent luxury cars with the S90 mild hybrid luxury sedan.
From the S60 and S90 luxury sedans to the electrified C40 and XC40 Recharge, to the XC60 and XC90 gas-powered C-SUVs – the Volvo range of offerings come with award-wining options to rival similarly classed vehicles.
Volvo apparently designed the S90 with comfort as the watchword, resulting in extremely supportive and comfortable seats, which, frankly, is very important to enjoy your trips through many Nigerian roads. Introduced in 2016, the S90 is one of the most capable and reliable cars you can buy used today. The car has a laid-back styling, but the 19-inch alloy wheels team up with the air suspension system to ensure a stable, smooth ride through rough roads.
7. Mazda Mazda 3
Like our own Jay-Jay Okocha, you could say that the Mazda Mazda 3 is so good they named it twice. Your buddies at the bar may not agree, but the fact is the Mazda 3, first introduced in 2003, is an advisable choice for Nigerian drivers, thanks to the purse-friendly fuel economy, low maintenance cost, and compact size that won't take up much room when parked by the roadside.
The Mazda 3’s agile handling and supple ride quality contributes to its recognition as one of the best handling front-wheel-drive compact car under $20,000 (about ₦9.5 million). Compared to similarly classed compacts like the Honda Civic ($25,000 [about ₦11.6 million]) and Hyundai Elantra ($21,000 [about ₦9.8 million]), Mazda 3 is the more affordable option.
The 4-door compact sedan, also available in a hatchback variant, uses a 4-wheel independent suspension system with MacPherson struts at the front, multilink at the rear, and stabilizer bars at the front and rear. It also uses power Rack and Pinion steering with variable assist and electronic power assist steering. Combined, these features improve the Mazda 3’s capability to handle the rigors of driving on bad roads. The drive system comprises front-or AWD, motivated by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower.
8. Ford Focus Active
The average mechanic in Nigeria will tell you to avoid American cars like the Buicks, Chevrolets, and Fords in favor of Japanese models. However, Ford models are so ubiquitous that many local mechanics have sufficient experience in the technology and mechanics. Fords can last many miles with good maintenance and proper care. Also, Ford parts are available at various auto parts markets across the country.
The Ford Focus is one of the most popular Ford models sold in Nigeria due to its relative affordability, versatility, surprisingly spacious interior, and impressive performance of its 4-cylinder engine. The Active variant of the Focus is a rugged and versatile compact crossover built for city commuting and for hitting the outdoors.
So, Active is a jacked-up version of the regular Ford Focus family hatchback, making it look more like an SUV than a car. The Active is just 30mm taller than the standard Focus, but the SUV-inspired details such as wheel arches, plastic bumper trims, distinctive 17-inch alloy wheels, black-finish roof rails, and rough road suspension improve its suitability to uneven terrains.
However, the SUV-like design cues don't penetrate the interior. Ultimately, the Active is just as economical as the regular Focus hatchback but a bit more comfortable to drive. Actually, the Ford Focus Active isn't the only example of regular cars that got SUV re-treatment. Other examples include the Skoda Octavia Scout (already discussed in this article), Volvo Cross Country, and Audi Allroad.
9. Toyota Avalon
If anything, the Avalon sits closer to the ground than, say, the Skoda Scout and Focus Active mentioned above. However, the impressive list of fantastic safety features designed to promote comfortable rides in bad driving conditions as well as protect both driver and passengers in case of accidents makes it deserving of a place on this list.
The capable V6 engine is another reason Nigerian drivers trust the Toyota Avalon. You can hardly see the Avalon stranded on the road due to engine-related issues, and that’s saying a lot. The good news is you don’t have to get the latest model. The 2019 Toyota Avalon, for example, delivers a quality ride made possible by adaptive suspensions and a quiet, comfortable interior well-suited to long-distance travel and city commuting.
10. Mercedes S-Class
The Cadillac XTS discussed above is by no means the only luxury sedan unafraid of rough driving conditions typical of Nigerian roads. The S-Class Mercedes-Benz is another example of a luxury sedan built to withstand the rigors of everyday driving. Take the S350d L AMG Line models, for instance. The advanced suspension system ensures potholes are seen but not felt, especially for the deep-pocketed owners relaxing in the roomy, supremely luxurious rear cabin.
The fun is hardly reserved for the chauffeured, though. The most fun, in our opinion, is behind the wheel of the S-Class. You're probably thinking, at this point, that the S-Class is exclusive to the rich. Here's good news for you; a used 2015 model costs below the MSRP of a new Volkswagen Passat, making the S-Class an affordable used luxury car for Nigerian roads.
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