There are quite a number of factors to consider when you set out to buy a car. Whereas there are motorists who are after the latest number plates, the wise go for cars whose maintenance in terms of routine service and fuel consumption is within their means. There is also a category of motorists who import unique cars in the name of showing off, only to end up with unique problems when maintenance of the so-called unique cars sets in. These are some of the cars you could consider driving in 2025.
Toyota Vanguard
From the exterior aesthetics, you may mistake the Recreational Active Vehicle (RAV4) to be the Toyota Vanguard, or vice versa, regardless of the angle from which you approach the car. However, the difference between the RAV4 and the Vanguard is in their length, engine sizes and seating capacity. Whereas the RAV4 of 2500cc accommodates five, including the driver, the Vanguard of 2400cc and 3500cc respectively is designed to accommodate seven, thereby gaining a somewhat big advantage over the RAV4 if you’re the kind interested in a mid-size sport utility family vehicle.
However, the two cars pass off as perfect off-roaders courtesy of their ground clearance that’s more or less the same. The downside of the Vanguard over the RAV4 is that it has no provision for a spare tyre.
Toyota Land Cruiser 2024
Launched in July 2024, the All-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 250 Series is one classified among the big boys on the road when it comes to the SUV category. Going for a whooping Shs370m in the showroom, the 2024 Prado is worth the cost because it was built on durability, reliability and better off-road capability, on top of being a family SUV that accommodates seven, including the driver.
Globally, vehicle manufacturers are improving car features such as safety and efficiency, but also downsizing car engines. Some are also being tropicalised for the African market because of the poor condition of roads and harsh weather. Gone are the days when Land Cruisers and other SUVs were built with engines of up to 4500cc or even 5700cc of the Lexus LX 570.
“The All-new Land cruiser runs on a 2800cc turbo diesel engine. The transmission was increased from 6-speed of the predecessor to the 8-speed and this gives you absolute fuel economy, performance, power and torque whether you drive deep in the village or any other urban road,” says Ben Mwine, a car enthusiast who recently test drove the 2024 Land Cruiser.
Passo Sette
The Toyota Spacio, Ractis, Passo, Nadia and Ipsum, were once hotcakes among many, if not all local bonds in Kampala. In fact, some cars like the Ipsum were reduced to commercial taxis upcountry, plying routes such as Masaka to Rakai and Mbarara to Bushenyi, among others.
With most of these no longer in production, the Toyota Passo Sette is a car you could give a try, given the fact that it is a small-sized family car that seats seven. Its small size commensurates with a fairly small engine of 1600cc, suitable for both urban and highway journeys.
“With the Passo Sette, I need Shs350,000 of fuel from Kampala to Rukungiri district in western Uganda and back to Kampala. On average, a litre covers 15km driving at an average speed of 80km/hr. It is not a high-performance car like Subarus but it is fast enough to safely drive from one place to another without experiencing any mechanical breakdowns as long as it is well serviced. It is a perfect car for children’s school errands,” says Douglas Tumwine.
In most local bonds, the Passo Sette costs between Shs25m to Shs35m, depending on the year of manufacture.
Mercedes Benz ML and 4Matic
There were times when German cars such as the Mercedes Benz ML, 4Matic, Bluetec, BMW X5, Audi Q7, among others, were considered cars for the rich. While most of them were considered fuel guzzlers, the evolution of technology to downsize engines to as low as 3000cc diesel has made them popular among German car enthusiasts.
“The biggest percentage of MLs and 4Matics are imported as used cars. Few motorists buy them brand new from showrooms. Of late, most of them are quite affordable to buy at as low as Shs70m depending on the year of manufacture but quite slightly expensive to maintain when it comes to spare parts. Apart from price and maintenance, most German SUVs offer unmatched driving comfort and off-road performance that motorists want because of improved features where, for example, you press a button to raise the ground clearance,” says Mujib Tusuubira, a German car dealer at mujibexotics.com.
Toyota Noah
Gone are the days when the Toyota Super Custom and the Regius, with both no longer in production, among few others were the perfect family vans. Since 2001 when the first generation of the Toyota Noah was released, it has since become a multipurpose van. In places such as Kikuubo in downtown Kampala, you’ll find the first-generation Noahs being used by business people to ferry merchandise. This is because the rear seats in all models recline to provide space for luggage.
“The latest models of the Noahs are more luxurious, comfortable and have maximum seat capacity of up to eight, making it a suitable family car. The first generation of the Noah was built with a 2000cc engine but the latest models run on a 1800cc engine allowing you to realise fuel economy over long distances without compromising performance. It is one of the family vans with the smallest engines on the market,” says Richard Ssemakula, a car dealer at Kyambogo, a Kampala suburb.
Nissan Navara
One of the features that will endear you to the Nissan Navara is not only its interior SUV-like comfort but also its small engine of 2500cc. Such is the trend that pick-up manufacturers have taken overtime. While it also features a 4x4 system, the latest Nissan Navara pick-ups also feature rear view parking sensors and lane departure systems, features that ensure safety on the road.
The pick-up also comes with versions with automatic and manual transmission to suit different user needs. Like most pick-ups, the Navara is equally a perfect off-roader.
Lessons
The latest models of the Noahs are more luxurious, comfortable and have maximum seat capacity of up to eight, making it a suitable family car. The first generation of the Noah was built with a 2000cc engine but the latest models run on a 1800cc engine allowing you to realise fuel economy over long distances without compromising performance.
