Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Honda CR-VMazda CX-5Subaru Forester
Mandai score
9/10
7/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 4,500,000
KSh 3,200,000
KSh 4,200,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2018-2023
Body type
–
Mid-size SUV
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
CR-V 1.5T EX Masterpiece / 2.0L e:HEV Hybrid
CX-5 2.2 XD L Package / 2.0 20S / 2.5 25S
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Fuel consumption
14.5 km/L6.9 L/100km combined · about 827 km a tank
19.5 km/L5.1 L/100km combined · about 1131 km a tank
14.2 km/L7.0 L/100km combined · about 895 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,565 / 100 kmKSh 16 a km · KSh 15,652 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,164 / 100 kmKSh 12 a km · KSh 11,639 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,598 / 100 kmKSh 16 a km · KSh 15,983 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,605 mm
4,550 mm
4,625 mm
Width
1,855 mm
1,840 mm
1,815 mm
Height
1,680 mm
1,690 mm
1,730 mm
Wheelbase
2,660 mm
2,700 mm
2,670 mm
Ground clearance
208 mm
210 mm
220 mm
Boot space
561 L (5-seater) / 150 L (7-seater expanded to 967 L)
506 L (1,620 L folded)
520 L (1,775 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,580 kg
1,610 kg
1,570 kg
Seats
5 or 7
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.5L VTEC Turbo / 2.0L-2.4L NA i-VTEC / 2.0L e:HEV Hybrid
2.2L SkyActiv-D Twin-Turbo Diesel / 2.5L SkyActiv-G
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
Power
184 hp to 190 hp (Variant dependent)
190 hp (2.2D) / 188 hp (2.5L)
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
Torque
175 Nm to 315 Nm (Electric motor combined torque)
450 Nm (2.2D) / 252 Nm (2.5L)
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
Drivetrain
Real Time AWD / FWD
FWD or i-Activ AWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
0–100 km/h
8.8 sec (1.5T) / 8.6 sec (e:HEV)
8.2 sec
8.2 sec
Top speed
200 km/h
204 km/h
204 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
14.5 km/L (1.5T) / 13.0 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 21.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
19.5 km/L (2.2D) / 14.5 km/L (2.0L/2.5L)
14.2 km/L (2.5L) / 15.2 km/L (1.8T) / 17.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
City
12.0 km/L (1.5T) / 10.5 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 20.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
16.0 km/L (2.2D) / 11.8 km/L (Petrol)
11.8 km/L (2.5L) / 12.5 km/L (1.8T) / 15.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
Highway
16.8 km/L (1.5T) / 15.5 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 22.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
22.0 km/L (2.2D) / 16.8 km/L (Petrol)
16.8 km/L (2.5L) / 18.0 km/L (1.8T) / 18.5 km/L (e-Boxer)
Tank size
57 L
58 L (FWD) / 56 L (AWD)
63 L
CO₂ emissions
143 g/km (1.5T) / 114 g/km (e:HEV)
142 g/km
152 g/km
At a glance
Model
Honda CR-V (RW1/RW2 & RT5/RT6 Series)
Mazda CX-5 (KF Series)
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2018–2023
Body type
5-Door 5/7-Seater Executive SUV
5-Door Mid-Size Crossover SUV
SUV / Crossovers
Seating capacity
5 or 7
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (VTEC Turbo / NA i-VTEC), Full Hybrid (e:HEV)
Clean Diesel, Petrol
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,496 cc / 1,993 cc / 2,354 cc
1,997 cc (2.0L) / 2,191 cc (2.2L Diesel) / 2,488 cc (2.5L)
1,795 cc (1.8T CB18) / 1,995 cc (2.0L e-Boxer) / 2,498 cc (2.5L FB25)
Transmission
CVT Automatic / Single-Speed e-CVT
6-Speed Automatic
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
Drivetrain
FWD or Real Time AWD
FWD or i-Activ AWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Ground clearance
208 mm
210 mm
220 mm
Source market
Japan / UK (RHD)
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan / UK (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Sub-2,500 cc tax bracket advantage: All 1.5T, 2.0L, 2.4L, and Hybrid engines qualify for the lower 25% KRA excise tax rate.
- High 208 mm ground clearance: Easily clears deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and rough upcountry murram tracks.
- Earth Dreams 1.5T climbing torque: Maintains altitude power up the Rift Valley escarpment without sluggishness.
- Optional 7-seater layout: Provides third-row versatility for growing families without stepping up to a large MPV.
- High 210 mm ground clearance handles unpaved roads and potholes easily.
- Sub-2,500 cc KRA import duty tax bracket advantage.
- Massive 450 Nm torque on 2.2L diesel.
- Class-leading 220 mm ground clearance: Conquers deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and rough upcountry tracks.
- Symmetrical AWD with Dual X-Mode: Exceptional mud, snow, and deep gravel traction.
- Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: All 1.8T, 2.0L, and 2.5L engines qualify for 25% excise tax rate.
What’s not so good
- Firm ride on 18-inch Masterpiece alloys: Transmits minor vibrations on corrugated unpaved roads.
- CVT engine revs on heavy mountain climbs: Non-hybrid CVT holds elevated engine revs during steep highway passes.
- Diesel DPF requires low-SAPS C3 oil.
- Firm ride on 19-inch L Package alloy wheels.
- Lineartronic CVT response: CVT engine revs during heavy highway mountain passes.
- EyeSight windshield camera care: Requires specialized recalibration if windscreen is replaced.