Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Honda CR-VNissan X-TrailSubaru Forester
Mandai score
9/10
7/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 4,500,000
KSh 3,450,000
KSh 4,200,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2018-2023
Body type
–
Mid-size SUV
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
CR-V 1.5T EX Masterpiece / 2.0L e:HEV Hybrid
X-Trail 20X 4WD / Hybrid / e-Power e-4ORCE
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Nissan X-Trail 2.0L Petrol / e-Power
Subaru Forester 2.5L / 1.8T / 2.0L e-Boxer
Fuel consumption
14.5 km/L6.9 L/100km combined · about 827 km a tank
19.8 km/L5.1 L/100km combined · about 1188 km a tank
17.0 km/L5.9 L/100km combined · about 1071 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,565 / 100 kmKSh 16 a km · KSh 15,652 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,146 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 11,463 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,335 / 100 kmKSh 13 a km · KSh 13,351 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,605 mm
4,690 mm
4,625 mm
Width
1,855 mm
1,820 mm
1,815 mm
Height
1,680 mm
1,740 mm
1,730 mm
Wheelbase
2,660 mm
2,705 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)
565 L (5-seater) / 135 L (7-seater expanded to 950 L)
520 L (1,775 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,580 kg
1,570 kg
1,570 kg
Seats
5 or 7
5 or 7
5
Specifications
Engine
1.5L VTEC Turbo / 2.0L-2.4L NA i-VTEC / 2.0L e:HEV Hybrid
2.0L MR20DD 4-Cylinder Petrol / 1.5L VC-Turbo e-Power
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
Power
184 hp to 190 hp (Variant dependent)
147 hp @ 6,000 rpm (2.0L) / 213 hp e-4ORCE combined
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
Torque
175 Nm to 315 Nm (Electric motor combined torque)
207 Nm @ 4,400 rpm / 330 Nm electric torque
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
Drivetrain
Real Time AWD / FWD
FWD or All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE AWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
0–100 km/h
8.8 sec (1.5T) / 8.6 sec (e:HEV)
10.5 sec (2.0L) / 7.0 sec (e-4ORCE)
8.2 sec
Top speed
200 km/h
190 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)
16.0 km/L (2.0L) / 19.8 km/L (e-Power)
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)
13.5 km/L (2.0L) / 19.0 km/L (e-Power)
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)
18.2 km/L (2.0L) / 20.5 km/L (e-Power)
16.8 km/L (2.5L) / 18.0 km/L (1.8T) / 18.5 km/L (e-Boxer)
Tank size
57 L
60 L
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)
Nissan X-Trail (T32 / T33 Series)
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2018–2023
Body type
5-Door 5/7-Seater Executive SUV
SUV / Crossovers
SUV / Crossovers
Seating capacity
5 or 7
5 or 7
5
Fuel types
Petrol (VTEC Turbo / NA i-VTEC), Full Hybrid (e:HEV)
Petrol, Hybrid (e-Power)
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,496 cc / 1,993 cc / 2,354 cc
1,497 cc (1.5T e-Power) / 1,997 cc (2.0L MR20DD)
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
Automatic (CVT / e-CVT)
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
Drivetrain
FWD or Real Time AWD
FWD or All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE AWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Ground clearance
208 mm
210 mm
220 mm
Source market
Japan / UK (RHD)
Japan / UK (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.
- Selectable All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE: Lockable 4WD mode provides excellent mud and sand traction.
- High 210 mm ground clearance: Easily clears deep ruts and unpaved upcountry tracks.
- Sub-2,000 cc KRA tax advantage: Qualifies for 25% excise duty rate (saving over 3.0L SUVs).
- 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.
- Third-row legroom: 7-seater third row is best reserved for children or short trips.
- CVT fluid service interval: Xtronic CVT requires genuine NS-3 fluid replacement every 40,000 km.
- Lineartronic CVT response: CVT engine revs during heavy highway mountain passes.
- EyeSight windshield camera care: Requires specialized recalibration if windscreen is replaced.