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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

Toyota RAV4

Modern TNGA platform entry offering supreme utility options, 200 mm ground clearance, Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD, and 21.0 km/L hybrid efficiency.

Highest rated

Subaru Forester

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

Mazda CX-5Toyota RAV4Subaru Forester
Mandai score
7/10
9/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 3,200,000
KSh 4,800,000
KSh 4,200,000
Years
2017-2023
2019-2023
2018-2023
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
RAV4 2.0 Adventure / 2.5 Hybrid G / Limited E-Four
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed

Dimensions

Length
4,550 mm
4,600 mm (Adventure: 4,610 mm)
4,625 mm
Width
1,840 mm
1,855 mm (Adventure: 1,865 mm)
1,815 mm
Height
1,690 mm
1,685 mm
1,730 mm
Wheelbase
2,700 mm
2,690 mm
2,670 mm
Ground clearance
210 mm
200 mm
220 mm
Boot space
506 L (1,620 L folded)
580 L (1,690 L folded)
520 L (1,775 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,610 kg
1,570 kg (1,680 kg Hybrid)
1,570 kg
Seats
5
5
5

Specifications

Engine
2.2L SkyActiv-D Twin-Turbo Diesel / 2.5L SkyActiv-G
2.0L M20A-FKS Dynamic Force / 2.5L A25A-FXS Hybrid
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
Power
190 hp (2.2D) / 188 hp (2.5L)
171 hp (2.0L) / 222 hp combined (2.5L Hybrid E-Four)
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
Torque
450 Nm (2.2D) / 252 Nm (2.5L)
207 Nm (2.0L) / 221 Nm (2.5L Hybrid)
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
Drivetrain
FWD or i-Activ AWD
Front-Wheel Drive / Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD / E-Four
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
0–100 km/h
8.2 sec
8.1 sec (2.5L Hybrid) / 9.5 sec (2.0L)
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)
15.2 km/L (2.0L Petrol) / 21.0 km/L (2.5L 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)
12.8 km/L (2.0L Petrol) / 20.0 km/L (2.5L 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)
17.5 km/L (2.0L Petrol) / 22.0 km/L (2.5L 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)
55 L
63 L
CO₂ emissions
142 g/km
138 g/km (2.0L) / 102 g/km (Hybrid)
152 g/km

At a glance

Model
Mazda CX-5 (KF Series)
Toyota RAV4 (XA50 Series)
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2019–2023
2018–2023
Body type
5-Door Mid-Size Crossover SUV
5-Door Compact Utility Crossover
SUV / Crossovers
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Clean Diesel, Petrol
Petrol (Dynamic Force), Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,997 cc (2.0L) / 2,191 cc (2.2L Diesel) / 2,488 cc (2.5L)
1,986 cc (2.0L M20A-FKS) / 2,487 cc (2.5L A25A-FXS Hybrid)
1,795 cc (1.8T CB18) / 1,995 cc (2.0L e-Boxer) / 2,498 cc (2.5L FB25)
Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
Direct Shift-CVT / e-CVT
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
Drivetrain
FWD or i-Activ AWD
FWD or Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD / E-Four
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Ground clearance
210 mm
200 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.
  • Modern TNGA platform entry: Superior chassis rigidity, sharp handling, and excellent ride refinement on local roads.
  • Sub-2,500 cc KRA duty advantage: All 2.0L Petrol and 2.5L Hybrid variants qualify for the lower 25% excise tax bracket.
  • High 200 mm ground clearance: Easily clears deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and rough upcountry estate roads.
  • 21.0 km/L hybrid efficiency: Exceptional fuel savings in heavy Nairobi bumper-to-bumper traffic jams.
  • 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.
  • High KRA CRSP customs valuation: Substantial import duty investment compared to earlier 4th-gen RAV4 models.
  • Wind noise at high highway speeds: Minor cabin wind rustle around side mirrors over 120 km/h.
  • Lineartronic CVT response: CVT engine revs during heavy highway mountain passes.
  • EyeSight windshield camera care: Requires specialized recalibration if windscreen is replaced.