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

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Mazda Verisa

Older compact tall hatchback praised for reliable service life and plush leather interior.

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Toyota Vitz

The gold standard subcompact daily city fuel saver with 20.0+ km/L efficiency, Magic interior flexibility, and sub-1,000 cc duty savings.

Best value
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Nissan Note

Extremely popular compact hatchback featuring revolutionary e-Power hybrid technology and 28+ km/L efficiency.

Highest rated
Mazda VerisaToyota VitzNissan Note
Mandai score
–
7/10
7.5/10
Typical price
KSh 1,100,000
KSh 1,350,000
KSh 1,500,000
Years
2014-2020
2017-2020
2017-2023
Body type
–
Compact Hatchbacks
–
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Verisa 1.5 C / L Package (e-4WD)
Vitz 1.0 F / 1.3 F / 1.5 Hybrid F / Jewela
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
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
20.8 km/L4.8 L/100km combined · about 874 km a tank
28.0 km/L3.6 L/100km combined · about 1148 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,464 / 100 kmKSh 15 a km · KSh 14,643 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,091 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 10,912 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 811 / 100 kmKSh 8 a km · KSh 8,106 for 1,000 km · petrol

Dimensions

Length
3,975 mm
3,945 mm
4,100 mm
Width
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,530 mm
1,500 mm
1,520 mm
Wheelbase
2,490 mm
2,510 mm
2,600 mm
Ground clearance
155 mm
145 mm
150 mm
Boot space
290 L (880 L folded)
286 L (750 L folded)
340 L (1,000 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,100 kg
970 kg (1,110 kg Hybrid)
1,220 kg
Seats
5
5
5

Specifications

Engine
1.5L ZY-VE DOHC 4-Cylinder Petrol
1.0L 1KR-FE / 1.3L 1NR-FKE / 1.5L 1NZ-FXE Hybrid
1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)
Power
113 hp @ 6,000 rpm
69 hp (1.0L) / 99 hp (1.3L) / 100 hp combined (1.5L Hybrid)
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
Torque
140 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
92 Nm (1.0L) / 121 Nm (1.3L) / 111 Nm (1.5L Hybrid)
280 Nm instant electric torque
Drivetrain
FWD or e-4WD
Front-Wheel Drive / 4WD
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
0–100 km/h
11.2 sec
11.5 sec (1.3L) / 12.0 sec (1.5L Hybrid) / 14.5 sec (1.0L)
7.9 sec
Top speed
170 km/h
170 km/h
150 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined
15.5 km/L
20.8 km/L (1.0L) / 25.0 km/L (1.3L) / 34.4 km/L (1.5L Hybrid JC08)
28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
City
13.0 km/L
17.5 km/L (1.0L) / 21.0 km/L (1.3L) / 30.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
30.0 km/L (e-Power) / 15.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
Highway
18.0 km/L
23.5 km/L (1.0L) / 28.0 km/L (1.3L) / 36.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
Tank size
45 L
42 L (Petrol) / 36 L (Hybrid)
41 L
CO₂ emissions
150 g/km
110 g/km (1.0L) / 82 g/km (Hybrid)
82 g/km

At a glance

Model
Mazda Verisa (DC5W / DC5R Series)
Toyota Vitz (XP130 Series 2nd Facelift)
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Production years
2014–2020
2017–2020
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Compact Tall Hatchback
5-Door Subcompact Hatchback
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol
Petrol, Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,498 cc (1.5L Petrol)
996 cc (1.0L) / 1,329 cc (1.3L) / 1,496 cc (1.5L Hybrid)
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
Transmission
4-Speed Automatic
Super CVT-i Automatic / e-CVT
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
Drivetrain
FWD or e-4WD
FWD or 4WD
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Ground clearance
155 mm
145 mm
150 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD JDM spec)

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.
  • Gold standard city fuel saver: 20.0+ km/L on petrol models and up to 30.0+ km/L on 1.5L Hybrid variants.
  • Lowest KRA import duty bracket: 1.0L and 1.3L engines sit in the lowest customs tax valuation category.
  • Top-tier resale value retention: Exceptional liquidity and universal spare parts availability across Kenya.
  • Nimble 4.5-meter turning radius: Effortlessly parks and navigates tight Nairobi urban traffic.
  • 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
  • Dated 4-speed automatic transmission.
  • Discontinued production limits body panel sourcing.
  • 1.0L engine can feel sluggish on steep highway climbs: 69 hp 1KR-FE labors when fully loaded ascending Limuru hills.
  • Low 145 mm ground clearance: Requires cautious 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.