What are the best fuel-efficient cars for taxi businesses in Nigeria, like Uber, Bolt, or Taxify? The real question should be, what makes a car good for such a business? Here is a summary in 3 words: durable, fuel-saving, and low maintenance cost. The right car for a taxi should be a reliable brand, have perfect fuel economy, and, most importantly, have cost-effective maintenance.
Fuel-saving Cars – The Key?
Moreover, Uber’s business is all about making money for the parties involved (driver and Uber/Bolt) and simultaneously providing excellent value for money spent by customers.
You will agree that using any vehicle that lacks the features of fuel-saving cars could cause the vehicle owners to spend more money that otherwise would have been saved as their profit.
So Which Car Is Good (Fuel-saving) For Taxi In Nigeria?
Following years of experience in Nigeria’s transportation industry trends, we have identified the eight best Uber business vehicles in Nigeria. There is no demand for a particular brand or car model to be used on ride-sharing apps in Nigeria. However, it must be a sedan or SUV in good condition and not necessarily have to be a brand-new car. But what about cars with low maintenance costs?
What Are Low Maintenance Costs?
Low maintenance costs, from Uber’s or the Taxi business’s perspective, precisely refer to the minimal expenses incurred to keep the vehicle fuel-efficient, utilize affordable spare parts and repairs, ensure reliability to minimize breakdowns, maintain affordable insurance and licensing fees, and manage regular servicing costs like oil changes and tire rotations.
Additionally, low maintenance costs encompass fuel efficiency to reduce operating costs, readily available and cheaper car parts for replacements, vehicles less prone to breakdowns requiring fewer repairs, affordable insurance and licensing fees, and expenses associated with regular services like oil changes, tire rotations, and other preventative measures.
Further down this article, we will discuss a general vehicle requirement that an intending Uber driver must meet before being accepted as a driver on the app.
The list of 8 best vehicles for Taxi Or Uber in Nigeria:
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Camry
- Toyota Yaris
- Toyota RAV4
- Kia Rio
- Honda Accord
- Honda CRV
- Mazda CX-5
1. Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla is at the top of the list of best cars for Uber business in Nigeria. Do you know that the Toyota Corolla is today’s most popular fuel-efficient Toyota brand on Nigerian roads? Its famous fuel economy earned it its reputation. The 2004 Toyota Corolla model delivers an impressive combined fuel economy of 31mpg. That means its 1.8L 4-cylinder engine will get you across 31 miles (city/highway) with just 1 gallon of fuel.
Also, the Corolla’s durability has been tested and proven over time. You would love the Corolla for its ability to deliver good fuel efficiency without compromising engine performance.
Corolla spare parts are readily available and also cost-effective. For instance, the owner can replace a Toyota Corolla 2005 model side mirror with N5000 at the famous Ladipo auto parts market. Still, replacing a Toyota Lexus ES330 side mirror of the same model year costs as much as N12 000.
While both are durable sedans by the same manufacturer, the Toyota Lexus ES330 will not allow the driver to use it for Uber to maximize his profit due to the high maintenance cost.
2. Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry is arguably the next popular car for Uber business in Nigeria after the Toyota Corolla. Not only is it durable, but it is also spacious and has a very friendly fuel economy. Its spare parts are readily available in the market, ranging from commonly replaced spare parts to less widely replaced ones. If you were to lose a door in a crash, you could find a replacement readily at most spare parts hubs.
If you’re considering using a Toyota Camry for Uber, you should consider buying 2002 to 2006 models popularly known as Big Daddy in Nigeria. This Camry has a 2.4L 4-cylinder or 3.0L/3.3L V6 engine, depending on the model year. Its overall fuel economy is quite decent for the Uber taxi business. The Big Daddy 2004 model delivers a combined fuel-saving of 24mpg city/highway, while the older Toyota Camry models do not meet Uber model year requirements.
3. Toyota Yaris
I like to think of the Toyota Yaris as the eco version of the Toyota Camry. Owing to its smaller engine, the Toyota Yaris is 3 feet shorter but 1 inch taller than the Camry. Its smaller engine compartment gives it a smallish-looking exterior. However, getting on the inside will completely change your mind. It is spacious, with enough legs and headroom for even tall passengers.
The 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.5L 4-cylinder engine delivers an excellent combined fuel economy of 32mpg city/highway. However, some drivers complain that the engine power is limited, even though it is one of the best fuel-saving cars Toyota has ever built.
Overall, the Yaris is a reasonably reliable car for city driving in Nigeria. Its commonly replaced spare parts are readily available in spare parts markets across the country. Did we mention that the maintenance cost for this vehicle is equally low? It is an excellent choice for a driver to save much on fuel consumption to maximize his profit.
4. Toyota RAV4
It is one of the most popular, durable, easy-to-maintain, and fuel-efficient SUVs in the Nigerian marketplace. Its 2002 – 2005 models are great cars for the Uber or Bolt ride-sharing business in Nigeria.
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact SUV with a seating capacity for four passengers. It is among the top durable cars in the Toyota lineup. Like the Corolla and Camry, its spare parts can readily be bought from any auto spare part market in the country.
Its high-performing 2.0L 4-cylinder engine is paired against a 4-speed automatic transmission. Overall, the Toyota RAV4 has good handling and offers a smooth ride to its occupants.RAV4’s fuel economy is one anyone would enjoy. Its 2005 model delivers an impressive 22mpg for city/highway driving. It is ideal for people who would rather ride in an SUV while saving as much as possible on fuel.
5. KIA Rio & Hyundai Accent
The duo of KIA Rio and Hyundai Accent are notable rides among Uber drivers in Nigeria. Although they have reported feeling a little too light to the hand for some drivers, they still get the job done. Both have a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine mated with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed optional automatic transmission.
KIA Rio’s fuel economy is barring none of the cards mentioned on this list, save for its close ally, the Hyundai Accent. The 2006 KIA Rio delivers an exciting combined fuel economy of 33mpg for city/highway driving. It is a significant affront to the Toyota Corolla, which has been touted as Nigeria’s most fuel-efficient vehicle for Uber business.
Maintenance-wise, KIA RIO and Hyundai Accent spare parts are readily available in the marketplace. Although they can be a little pricier than the Toyota and Honda brands, they are the most affordable for an average Uber driver to buy. However, as time goes on, manufacturers produce more fuel-saving cars, which can better serve this purpose.
6. Honda Accord
If you already have a Honda Accord and wonder if you can drive with it on Uber Bolt or any other ride-hailing app. The answer is yes and yes! The Honda Accord is famous for its gait. Next to the Toyota lineup, it is among the most popular cars in Nigeria. It also ticks the box for the three essential features of Uber cars: durability, fuel efficiency, and low maintenance. You are good to go if you have one with a functioning entertainment system and chilling AC.
The 2006 Honda Accord engine is a 2.4L 4-cylinder or 3.0L V6 engine mated with a five-speed automatic transmission, respectively, helping it deliver excellent performance. Its fuel-economy rating is decent for Uber’s business. It provides a pocket-friendly combined fuel economy of 25mpg for city/highway driving.
When replacing its faulty parts, there’s virtually no part you can’t find in the market. Its spare parts are in bountiful supply across spare part markets and shops in Nigeria.
7. Honda CRV
Honda CRV is another durable SUV suitable for Uber’s business on Nigerian roads. Its 2005 model has a high-performing 2.4L 4-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission.
This Honda offers a comfortable riding experience to its occupants, providing enough head and legroom for taller passengers.
Fuel economy-wise, it covers an impressive mileage for an SUV of its size, and the combined fuel economy rating is estimated at 22mpg for city/ highway driving. Its commonly replaced spare parts are available in spare part markets nationwide. And its overall maintenance cost is just average, nothing much, nothing less. Overall, the Honda CRV is an excellent car for riders who want to reach their destination in a comfortable SUV.
8. Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is an SUV for Uber. Its build quality is top-notch, from its exterior works to its interior finishing, which reeks of quality and class. The Mazda CX-5 first came into production in 2012. Although not as popular as the Toyota Rav4 or the Honda CRV, it is a great car.
Equipped with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine mated against a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Mazda CX-5 is an efficient car for drivers looking to sign up for Uber Comfort. Owners can buy its commonly replaced spare parts from spare part dealers across the country.
You are the least widely replaced spare parts, which you can always find in the Ladipo International Auto Parts Market. A look into the combined fuel economy rating of the 2012 Mazda CX-5 revealed that it delivers a decent 24mpg for city/highway driving. It is pretty impressive for an SUV of its size.
Summary of fuel-efficient cars best for Taxi or Uber business in Nigeria.
Remember, fuel-economy can also come from your driving technique, but that is a matter for another day.
Final Words – Fuel-saving Cars Taxi
To wrap it up, a sedan or SUV must be in good condition for a vehicle to be acceptable on the Uber or Bolt platform. A functioning sound system and chilling air conditioner are additional features ride-sharing companies like Uber and Bolt look out for in vehicles to register on their platform.
For Uber, there are three classes of vehicles accepted on the app. An intending car for Uber must meet at least one of these general requirements to qualify:
- Uber Lite: The motor vehicle is a model between 2002 and 2004
- Uber Comfort: The auto should not be older than ten years
- Uber XL: The car is no more aged than fifteen years
Have you had any experience driving any of these vehicles on Uber or Bolt? Kindly share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
If you need help importing a fuel-saving car from Germany, the US, or Canada for your Uber business in Nigeria, you can schedule a one-on-one consultation with us below.
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