The family SUV bought for the Lagos-Abuja run, not the school run
carlots.ng editorial · 23 Oct 2026
Where the Highlander earns its keep is the long haul -- a smooth, comfortable cruiser on the Lagos-Ibadan or Lagos-Abuja expressway with enough cabin insulation that a six-hour drive does not leave everyone exhausted. It is mechanically as dependable as the Camry it is related to under the skin, and parts, while not as cheap as a Camry's, are not a specialist hunt either.
Day to day in the city is where it asks more of a buyer: fuel consumption climbs noticeably in stop-start traffic, it is genuinely awkward to park in a tight Lagos compound, and the third-row seat is a child's seat at best, not a third adult row. Buyers cross-shopping it against a Sienna for family duty should be honest about which one they are actually doing most of their driving for.