Compare cars

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

Mazda CX-5

A dominant crossover in Kenya balancing Kodo styling, 210 mm ground clearance, and 19.5 km/L diesel efficiency.

Best value

Subaru Forester

The ultimate balance of 220 mm ground clearance, Symmetrical AWD, EyeSight driver assist, and sub-2,500 cc duty savings.

Nissan X-Trail

Highly practical family crossover available with selectable 4x4-i setups, optional 7 seats, and sub-2,000 cc duty savings.

Mazda CX-5Subaru ForesterNissan X-Trail
Mandai score
7/10
7/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 3,200,000
KSh 4,200,000
KSh 3,450,000
Years
2017-2023
2018-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
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
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
X-Trail 20X 4WD / Hybrid / e-Power e-4ORCE
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed

Dimensions

Length
4,550 mm
4,625 mm
4,690 mm
Width
1,840 mm
1,815 mm
1,820 mm
Height
1,690 mm
1,730 mm
1,740 mm
Wheelbase
2,700 mm
2,670 mm
2,705 mm
Ground clearance
210 mm
220 mm
210 mm
Boot space
506 L (1,620 L folded)
520 L (1,775 L folded)
565 L (5-seater) / 135 L (7-seater expanded to 950 L)
Kerb weight
1,610 kg
1,570 kg
1,570 kg
Seats
5
5
5 or 7

Specifications

Engine
2.2L SkyActiv-D Twin-Turbo Diesel / 2.5L SkyActiv-G
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
2.0L MR20DD 4-Cylinder Petrol / 1.5L VC-Turbo e-Power
Power
190 hp (2.2D) / 188 hp (2.5L)
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
147 hp @ 6,000 rpm (2.0L) / 213 hp e-4ORCE combined
Torque
450 Nm (2.2D) / 252 Nm (2.5L)
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
207 Nm @ 4,400 rpm / 330 Nm electric torque
Drivetrain
FWD or i-Activ AWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
FWD or All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE AWD
0–100 km/h
8.2 sec
8.2 sec
10.5 sec (2.0L) / 7.0 sec (e-4ORCE)
Top speed
204 km/h
204 km/h
190 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined
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)
16.0 km/L (2.0L) / 19.8 km/L (e-Power)
City
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)
13.5 km/L (2.0L) / 19.0 km/L (e-Power)
Highway
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)
18.2 km/L (2.0L) / 20.5 km/L (e-Power)
Tank size
58 L (FWD) / 56 L (AWD)
63 L
60 L
CO₂ emissions
142 g/km
152 g/km
142 g/km

At a glance

Model
Mazda CX-5 (KF Series)
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
Nissan X-Trail (T32 / T33 Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2018–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Mid-Size Crossover SUV
SUV / Crossovers
SUV / Crossovers
Seating capacity
5
5
5 or 7
Fuel types
Clean Diesel, Petrol
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid (e-Power)
Engine sizes
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)
1,497 cc (1.5T e-Power) / 1,997 cc (2.0L MR20DD)
Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
Automatic (CVT / e-CVT)
Drivetrain
FWD or i-Activ AWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
FWD or All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE AWD
Ground clearance
210 mm
220 mm
210 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
What’s not so good
  • 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.
  • 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.