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Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.

BMW X3

Versatile premium compact SUV with xDrive AWD, 204 mm ground clearance, and sub-2,000 cc diesel efficiency.

Audi Q5

Benchmark German executive crossover featuring Quattro all-wheel drive, 208 mm ground clearance, and sub-2,500 cc duty savings.

Highest rated

Mercedes-Benz GLC250

Compact luxury crossover with 211 hp turbo power and 4MATIC AWD.

Best value

BMW X3Audi Q5Mercedes-Benz GLC250

Mandai score

8/10

8.5/10

8/10

Typical price

KSh 49,000,008,200,000

KSh 48,000,007,800,000

KSh 4,800,000

Years

2017-2023

Body type

Mid-size SUV

–

Mid-size SUV

Fuel

Petrol, Diesel

Petrol

Transmission

Automatic

Doors

Fuel and running cost

Fuel consumption

16.2 km/L6.2 L/100km combined · about 1102 km a tank

14.0 km/L7.1 L/100km combined · about 980 km a tank

13.5 km/L7.4 L/100km combined · about 891 km a tank

Running cost

KSh 1,401 / 100 kmKSh 14 a km · KSh 14,010 for 1,000 km · petrol

KSh 1,621 / 100 kmKSh 16 a km · KSh 16,211 for 1,000 km · petrol

KSh 1,681 / 100 kmKSh 17 a km · KSh 16,812 for 1,000 km · petrol

Dimensions

Length

4,708 mm

4,663 mm

4,656 mm

Width

1,891 mm

1,893 mm

1,890 mm

Height

1,676 mm

1,659 mm

1,644 mm

Wheelbase

2,864 mm

2,819 mm

2,873 mm

Ground clearance

204 mm

208 mm

180 mm

Boot space

550 L (1,600 L folded)

550 L

550 L (1,600 L with seats folded)

Kerb weight

1,750 kg

1,735 kg

Seats

Specifications

Engine

2.0L B47 Turbo Diesel / 2.0L B48 Turbo Petrol

2.0L TFSI Turbo Petrol (45 TFSI)

2.0L M274 Turbocharged Inline-4

Power

190 hp @ 4,000 rpm (20d) / 252 hp @ 5,200 rpm (30i)

252 hp @ 5,000–6,000 rpm

211 hp @ 5,500 rpm

Torque

400 Nm @ 1,750–2,500 rpm (20d) / 350 Nm (30i)

370 Nm @ 1,600–4,500 rpm

350 Nm @ 1,200–4,000 rpm

Drivetrain

Intelligent xDrive AWD

Quattro All-Wheel Drive with Ultra Technology

4MATIC Permanent AWD

0–100 km/h

6.3 sec (30i) – 8.0 sec (20d)

6.3 sec

7.3 sec

Top speed

213 km/h – 240 km/h

237 km/h

222 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined

16.2 km/L (xDrive20d) / 12.8 km/L (xDrive30i)

14.0 km/L (2.0T Petrol) / 18.2 km/L (2.0T Diesel)

13.5 km/L

City

13.8 km/L (xDrive20d) / 10.2 km/L (xDrive30i)

11.5 km/L (2.0T Petrol) / 15.5 km/L (2.0T Diesel)

11.0 km/L

Highway

18.5 km/L (xDrive20d) / 15.0 km/L (xDrive30i)

16.5 km/L (2.0T Petrol) / 20.5 km/L (2.0T Diesel)

16.0 km/L

Tank size

68 L

70 L

66 L

CO₂ emissions

138 g/km (20d) / 168 g/km (30i)

154 g/km

152 g/km

At a glance

Model

BMW X3 (G01 Series)

Audi Q5 (FY Series)

Mercedes-Benz GLC250 4MATIC (X253 Series)

Production years

2017–2023

Body type

5-Door Premium Compact Crossover

5-Door Executive Crossover SUV

5-Door Executive Compact SUV

Seating capacity

5 seats

Fuel types

Clean Diesel, Petrol

Petrol (TFSI), Clean Diesel (TDI)

Petrol (Turbocharged Direct Injection)

Engine sizes

1,995 cc (2.0L Diesel) / 1,998 cc (2.0L Petrol)

1,984 cc / 1,968 cc / 2,995 cc

1,991 cc

Transmission

8-Speed Steptronic Automatic

7-speed S tronic / 8-speed Tiptronic

9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic

Drivetrain

Intelligent xDrive AWD

Quattro All-Wheel Drive

4MATIC Permanent All-Wheel Drive

Ground clearance

204 mm

208 mm

180 mm

Source market

UK / Japan (RHD)

Japan / UK (RHD)

Japan (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good

High 204 mm ground clearance: Confidently clears deep ruts, tall speed bumps, and rough upcountry roads.
Sub-2,000 cc tax advantage: Both 2.0L diesel and petrol engines qualify for 25% KRA excise tax rate.
Practical 550 L boot space: Generous cargo capacity expanding to 1,600 L with 40:20:40 split rear seats.

High 208 mm ground clearance: Easily clears deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and unpaved estate roads.
Sub-2,500 cc duty advantage: 2.0L engines qualify for KRA's 25% excise duty rate.
Quattro all-wheel drive traction: Instant torque distribution for wet asphalt and murram roads.
Audi Virtual Cockpit & Bang & Olufsen audio: Premium 12.3-inch digital cluster and 3D sound system.

Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: 2.0L engine qualifies for 25% excise tax bracket, saving huge customs duties.
Refined 9G-TRONIC transmission: 9 gear ratios deliver smooth acceleration and quiet 1,400 rpm highway cruising.
Prestige cabin craftsmanship: Artico leather upholstery, Burmester surround audio, and MBUX infotainment.

What’s not so good

Firm ride on 20-inch M Sport wheels: Low-profile tires transmit road roughness over corrugated gravel tracks.
DPF filter maintenance: 2.0L diesel models require periodic long highway runs to clean particulate filters.

S tronic fluid service requirements: Demands genuine Audi dual-clutch fluid replacement every 60,000 km.
Firm ride on 20-inch S Line wheels: Transmits minor road vibrations on corrugated gravel tracks.

Firmer ride on 19/20-inch AMG rims: AMG Line low-profile tires transmit road firmness over unpaved estate roads.
Specialized Mercedes maintenance: Demands MB 229.5 spec synthetic oil and specialized Star Diagnostic scanners.