Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
BMW X3Subaru OutbackMercedes-Benz GLC250
Mandai score
8/10
8.5/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 4,900,000
KSh 4,150,000
KSh 4,800,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
Mid-size SUV
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol
Petrol
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
X3 xDrive20d M Sport / xDrive30i M Sport
Outback Limited / Touring / X-Break / XT 2.4 Turbo
GLC250 4MATIC AMG Line
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Standard
Subaru Outback 2.5L / 2.4T
Fuel consumption
16.2 km/L6.2 L/100km combined · about 1102 km a tank
14.0 km/L7.1 L/100km combined · about 882 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
4,870 mm
4,656 mm
Width
1,891 mm
1,875 mm
1,890 mm
Height
1,676 mm
1,675 mm
1,644 mm
Wheelbase
2,864 mm
2,745 mm
2,873 mm
Ground clearance
204 mm
213 mm (BS) / 220 mm (BT)
180 mm
Boot space
550 L (1,600 L folded)
522 L (1,800 L folded)
550 L (1,600 L with seats folded)
Kerb weight
1,750 kg
1,620 kg
1,735 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
2.0L B47 Turbo Diesel / 2.0L B48 Turbo Petrol
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 2.4L FA24 Turbo
2.0L M274 Turbocharged Inline-4
Power
190 hp @ 4,000 rpm (20d) / 252 hp @ 5,200 rpm (30i)
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 260 hp (2.4T)
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque
400 Nm @ 1,750–2,500 rpm (20d) / 350 Nm (30i)
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 376 Nm (2.4T)
350 Nm @ 1,200–4,000 rpm
Drivetrain
Intelligent xDrive AWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
4MATIC Permanent AWD
0–100 km/h
6.3 sec (30i) – 8.0 sec (20d)
8.6 sec (2.5L) / 6.3 sec (2.4T)
7.3 sec
Top speed
213 km/h – 240 km/h
210 km/h
222 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
16.2 km/L (xDrive20d) / 12.8 km/L (xDrive30i)
14.0 km/L (2.5L) / 11.8 km/L (2.4T)
13.5 km/L
City
13.8 km/L (xDrive20d) / 10.2 km/L (xDrive30i)
11.2 km/L (2.5L) / 9.2 km/L (2.4T)
11.0 km/L
Highway
18.5 km/L (xDrive20d) / 15.0 km/L (xDrive30i)
16.5 km/L (2.5L) / 14.5 km/L (2.4T)
16.0 km/L
Tank size
68 L
63 L
66 L
CO₂ emissions
138 g/km (20d) / 168 g/km (30i)
161 g/km
152 g/km
At a glance
Model
BMW X3 (G01 Series)
Subaru Outback (BS / BT Series)
Mercedes-Benz GLC250 4MATIC (X253 Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Premium Compact Crossover
Estate Crossover Tourer
5-Door Executive Compact SUV
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Clean Diesel, Petrol
Petrol
Petrol (Turbocharged Direct Injection)
Engine sizes
1,995 cc (2.0L Diesel) / 1,998 cc (2.0L Petrol)
2,498 cc (2.5L FB25) / 2,387 cc (2.4T FA24)
1,991 cc
Transmission
8-Speed Steptronic Automatic
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain
Intelligent xDrive AWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
4MATIC Permanent All-Wheel Drive
Ground clearance
204 mm
213 mm (BS) / 220 mm (BT)
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.
- Exceptional long-distance ride comfort: Plush suspension absorbs upcountry road ripples effortlessly.
- High 213–220 mm ground clearance: Easily tackles unpaved murram roads, ruts, and deep puddles.
- Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: Both 2.5L and 2.4T engines qualify for 25% excise tax bracket.
- 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.
- Long 4.87-meter overall length: Requires care when parallel parking in tight Nairobi streets.
- Lineartronic CVT under towing: Demands auxiliary CVT fluid cooler for heavy trailer towing.
- 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.