Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Mazda CX-5Honda CR-VSubaru Forester
Mandai score
7/10
9/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 3,200,000
KSh 4,500,000
KSh 4,200,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2018-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
–
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
CX-5 2.2 XD L Package / 2.0 20S / 2.5 25S
CR-V 1.5T EX Masterpiece / 2.0L e:HEV Hybrid
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Subaru Forester 2.5L / 1.8T / 2.0L e-Boxer
Fuel consumption
19.5 km/L5.1 L/100km combined · about 1131 km a tank
14.5 km/L6.9 L/100km combined · about 827 km a tank
17.0 km/L5.9 L/100km combined · about 1071 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,168 / 100 kmKSh 12 a km · KSh 11,680 for 1,000 km · diesel
KSh 1,565 / 100 kmKSh 16 a km · KSh 15,652 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,335 / 100 kmKSh 13 a km · KSh 13,351 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,550 mm
4,605 mm
4,625 mm
Width
1,840 mm
1,855 mm
1,815 mm
Height
1,690 mm
1,680 mm
1,730 mm
Wheelbase
2,700 mm
2,660 mm
2,670 mm
Ground clearance
210 mm
208 mm
220 mm
Boot space
506 L (1,620 L folded)
561 L (5-seater) / 150 L (7-seater expanded to 967 L)
520 L (1,775 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,610 kg
1,580 kg
1,570 kg
Seats
5
5 or 7
5
Specifications
Engine
2.2L SkyActiv-D Twin-Turbo Diesel / 2.5L SkyActiv-G
1.5L VTEC Turbo / 2.0L-2.4L NA i-VTEC / 2.0L e:HEV Hybrid
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
Power
190 hp (2.2D) / 188 hp (2.5L)
184 hp to 190 hp (Variant dependent)
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
Torque
450 Nm (2.2D) / 252 Nm (2.5L)
175 Nm to 315 Nm (Electric motor combined torque)
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
Drivetrain
FWD or i-Activ AWD
Real Time AWD / FWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
0–100 km/h
8.2 sec
8.8 sec (1.5T) / 8.6 sec (e:HEV)
8.2 sec
Top speed
204 km/h
200 km/h
204 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
19.5 km/L (2.2D) / 14.5 km/L (2.0L/2.5L)
14.5 km/L (1.5T) / 13.0 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 21.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
14.2 km/L (2.5L) / 15.2 km/L (1.8T) / 17.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
City
16.0 km/L (2.2D) / 11.8 km/L (Petrol)
12.0 km/L (1.5T) / 10.5 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 20.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
11.8 km/L (2.5L) / 12.5 km/L (1.8T) / 15.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
Highway
22.0 km/L (2.2D) / 16.8 km/L (Petrol)
16.8 km/L (1.5T) / 15.5 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 22.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
16.8 km/L (2.5L) / 18.0 km/L (1.8T) / 18.5 km/L (e-Boxer)
Tank size
58 L (FWD) / 56 L (AWD)
57 L
63 L
CO₂ emissions
142 g/km
143 g/km (1.5T) / 114 g/km (e:HEV)
152 g/km
At a glance
Model
Mazda CX-5 (KF Series)
Honda CR-V (RW1/RW2 & RT5/RT6 Series)
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2018–2023
Body type
5-Door Mid-Size Crossover SUV
5-Door 5/7-Seater Executive SUV
SUV / Crossovers
Seating capacity
5
5 or 7
5
Fuel types
Clean Diesel, Petrol
Petrol (VTEC Turbo / NA i-VTEC), Full Hybrid (e:HEV)
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,997 cc (2.0L) / 2,191 cc (2.2L Diesel) / 2,488 cc (2.5L)
1,496 cc / 1,993 cc / 2,354 cc
1,795 cc (1.8T CB18) / 1,995 cc (2.0L e-Boxer) / 2,498 cc (2.5L FB25)
Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
CVT Automatic / Single-Speed e-CVT
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
Drivetrain
FWD or i-Activ AWD
FWD or Real Time AWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Ground clearance
210 mm
208 mm
220 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan / UK (RHD)
Japan / UK (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Diesel DPF requires low-SAPS C3 oil.
- Firm ride on 19-inch L Package alloy wheels.
- 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.
- Lineartronic CVT response: CVT engine revs during heavy highway mountain passes.
- EyeSight windshield camera care: Requires specialized recalibration if windscreen is replaced.