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Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Mazda Demio
Fuel-economy leader pairing sleek Kodo design with responsive SkyActiv.
Highest ratedBest value
Mazda VerisaNissan NoteMazda Demio
Mandai score
–
7.5/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 1,100,000
KSh 1,500,000
KSh 1,250,000
Years
2014-2020
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
–
–
Compact Hatchbacks
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Verisa 1.5 C / L Package (e-4WD)
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
Demio 13S Touring
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Mazda Verisa 1.5L Petrol
Nissan Note e-Power
Fuel consumption
15.5 km/L6.5 L/100km combined · about 698 km a tank
28.0 km/L3.6 L/100km combined · about 1148 km a tank
20.5 km/L4.9 L/100km combined · about 902 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,464 / 100 kmKSh 15 a km · KSh 14,643 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 811 / 100 kmKSh 8 a km · KSh 8,106 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,107 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 11,071 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
3,975 mm
4,100 mm
4,060 mm
Width
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,530 mm
1,520 mm
1,500 mm
Wheelbase
2,490 mm
2,600 mm
2,570 mm
Ground clearance
155 mm
150 mm
145 mm
Boot space
290 L (880 L folded)
340 L (1,000 L folded)
280 L
Kerb weight
1,100 kg
1,220 kg
1,030 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.5L ZY-VE DOHC 4-Cylinder Petrol
1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)
1.3L SkyActiv-G Inline-4
Power
113 hp @ 6,000 rpm
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
93 hp
Torque
140 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
280 Nm instant electric torque
123 Nm
Drivetrain
FWD or e-4WD
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Front-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
11.2 sec
7.9 sec
10.8 s
Top speed
170 km/h
150 km/h
180 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
15.5 km/L
28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
22 km/L
City
13.0 km/L
30.0 km/L (e-Power) / 15.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
18 km/L
Highway
18.0 km/L
25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
25 km/L
Tank size
45 L
41 L
44 L
CO₂ emissions
150 g/km
82 g/km
104 g/km
At a glance
Model
Mazda Verisa (DC5W / DC5R Series)
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Mazda Demio / Mazda2
Production years
2014–2020
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Compact Tall Hatchback
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
5-Door Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
Petrol, Clean Diesel
Engine sizes
1,498 cc (1.5L Petrol)
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
1,298 cc, 1,496 cc
Transmission
4-Speed Automatic
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
6-speed Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD or e-4WD
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
FWD / AWD
Ground clearance
155 mm
150 mm
145 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
Japan (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Simple, reliable ZY-VE non-turbo engine mechanicals.
- Plush half-leather/fabric upholstery with dark wood trim.
- Sub-1,500 cc low import duty valuation.
- 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.
- 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.
What’s not so good
- Dated 4-speed automatic transmission.
- Discontinued production limits body panel sourcing.
- 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.
- 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.