Hello All,

I currently drive a Toyota Corolla but I am planning to acquire a SUV soon for my off road runs (construction and farming). I was looking at Toyota Highlander or Lexus Rx300/330 for their fuel economy but it doesn't look like they are cut out for such rigorous activities. So I am considering the following with the following specs as alternatives (Year: 2005 and above; Engine size: 4.0L max):

Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Prado
Nissan Xterra
Pathfinder
Ford Explorer
Ford Escape

Kindly let me know your opinion on the durability/ruggedness, performance, ease of maintenance, availability of parts/labour, etc. of these vehicles. You can also mention other vehicles that will serve the purpose better.

Construction and Farming?
Get yourself a Land Rover Defender.
It goes anywhere and everywhere.
Trusted by the Military.

Pathfinder(2002-2004) or xterra(2000-2003) will do. the 2005 and above of these vehicles are not as durable as their predecessors. you can also get them for less than 1.5m

2005 4runner it has a 4.0l v6 which isn't too bad on gas plus tons of aftermarket bolt on parts. It's also very reliable

Why not get a 4wd pick up truck?

Apart from the fact that it gets through all terrains, it also has the added advantage of hauling needed materials to site.

Trust me, you won't want to pack manure with your lexus

Lovetinz:
Construction and Farming?
Get yourself a Land Rover Defender.
It goes anywhere and everywhere.
Trusted by the Military.

I think the Land Rover is 'high end' its classic look notwithstanding. By the way, I am not sure if the maintenance will be affordable.

Thank you.

I will definitely look into this. I will also check to see if their is no peculiar problem with that year of the model.

leuelliot:
2005 4runner it has a 4.0l v6 which isn't too bad on gas plus tons of aftermarket bolt on parts. It's also very reliable

As stated a pickup truck is your best bet, I will vote for 2005 Nissan frontier and 2005 toyota tacoma, but if you are bent on an off-road suv then I nominate
Nissan pathfinder or xterra, which ever u like
Toyota 4Runner 2003 model year upwards
Toyota fortuner (looks like hilux in suv form)

Truck is beta 4 u...
if suv..then 4runner 4wd is cool
97 to 02 model is a beast ..while the 03 to 09 mod3l is also cool..n looks nicer...
with its 4wd and auxillary gear system....nothing can gold u down....

hyelhira:
Hello All,

I currently drive a Toyota Corolla but I am planning to acquire a SUV soon for my off road runs (construction and farming) . I was looking at Toyota Highlander or Lexus Rx300/330 for their fuel economy but it doesn't look like they are cut out for such rigorous activities. So I am considering the following with the following specs as alternatives (Year: 2005 and above; Engine size: 4.0L max):

Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Prado
Nissan Xterra
Pathfinder
Ford Explorer
Ford Escape

Kindly let me know your opinion on the durability/ruggedness, performance, ease of maintenance, availability of parts/labour, etc. of these vehicles. You can also mention other vehicles that will serve the purpose better.

All I saw was the bolded
[img]http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSb1apsQDvg_70mdvsSLZ3feqEKy77H_9SJOtidu2Mi8TP9FX7_6iUwajFfDg[/img]

2005 Nissan frontier

Any body on frame 4wd SUV will do for you.

All those you listed except the ford escape fall in this category.

Meanwhile, there is nothing like a vehicle that is strong to handle nigerian harsh environment. What matters is good and timely maintenance.

Dont drive and use the vehicle like a lorry and maintain it like a keke napep. If you know what i mean.

How about the G wagon 500 4x4 squared?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fc7V7YPSwyg

Look for Toyota Tacoma

hyelhira:
Hello All,

I currently drive a Toyota Corolla but I am planning to acquire a SUV soon for my off road runs (construction and farming). I was looking at Toyota Highlander or Lexus Rx300/330 for their fuel economy but it doesn't look like they are cut out for such rigorous activities. So I am considering the following with the following specs as alternatives (Year: 2005 and above; Engine size: 4.0L max):

Toyota 4Runner

Toyota Prado
Nissan Xterra
Pathfinder
Ford Explorer
Ford Escape

Kindly let me know your opinion on the durability/ruggedness, performance, ease of maintenance, availability of parts/labour, etc. of these vehicles. You can also mention other vehicles that will serve the purpose better.

You may consider the Toyota 4runner,especially any model(especially the limited edition) between 2002-2008. It has decent ground clearance and should pull you out of nasty situations. I am not a Toyota person but based on your options it may be one of the best of your stated options