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Mazda Demio
Fuel-economy leader pairing sleek Kodo design with responsive SkyActiv.
Highest ratedBest value
Mazda DemioNissan Note
Mandai score
8/10
7.5/10
Typical price
KSh 1,250,000
KSh 1,500,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Compact Hatchbacks
–
Fuel
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
Most popular trim
Demio 13S Touring
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Fuel consumption
22.0 km/L4.5 L/100km combined · about 968 km a tank
28.0 km/L3.6 L/100km combined · about 1148 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,032 / 100 kmKSh 10 a km · KSh 10,316 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 811 / 100 kmKSh 8 a km · KSh 8,106 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,060 mm
4,100 mm
Width
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,500 mm
1,520 mm
Wheelbase
2,570 mm
2,600 mm
Ground clearance
145 mm
150 mm
Boot space
280 L
340 L (1,000 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,030 kg
1,220 kg
Seats
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.3L SkyActiv-G Inline-4
1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)
Power
93 hp
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
Torque
123 Nm
280 Nm instant electric torque
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
0–100 km/h
10.8 s
7.9 sec
Top speed
180 km/h
150 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
22 km/L
28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
City
18 km/L
30.0 km/L (e-Power) / 15.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
Highway
25 km/L
25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
Tank size
44 L
41 L
CO₂ emissions
104 g/km
82 g/km
At a glance
Model
Mazda Demio / Mazda2
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Hatchback
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
Seating capacity
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol, Clean Diesel
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,298 cc, 1,496 cc
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
Transmission
6-speed Automatic
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
Drivetrain
FWD / AWD
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Ground clearance
145 mm
150 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Superior fuel efficiency: The SkyActiv petrol and diesel engines achieve up to 25 km/L on Kenyan highways.
- Premium interior finish: Soft-touch materials and available MZD Connect screen rival European subcompacts.
- Smooth torque-converter automatic: Avoids the rubber-band CVT feeling found in competitor hatchbacks.
- Sub-1,500 cc tax advantage: Qualifies for Kenya lower customs valuation and excise duty bracket.
- Instant 280 Nm electric torque: Smooth, rapid acceleration away from Nairobi traffic lights.
- Exceptional 28+ km/L fuel economy: Slashes monthly commuter fuel bills by over 50%.
- Generous rear knee room: Cavernous rear passenger space despite compact 4.1m length.
What’s not so good
- Modest rear legroom: Tighter rear passenger seating space compared to the Honda Fit or Toyota Vitz.
- Diesel DPF sensitivity: The 1.5L SkyActiv-D diesel requires regular long highway runs to prevent DPF clogging.
- Low ground clearance: The 145 mm clearance requires careful driving over tall speed bumps.
- 150 mm ground clearance: Requires care over tall speed bumps when fully loaded.
- Engine generator sound under heavy hill climbs: 1.2L engine revs up to charge battery during steep ascents.