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Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Mercedes-Benz GLC250Subaru OutbackVolkswagen Golf Alltrack
Mandai score
8/10
8.5/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 4,800,000
KSh 4,150,000
KSh 2,750,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
Mid-size SUV
–
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
GLC250 4MATIC AMG Line
Outback Limited / Touring / X-Break / XT 2.4 Turbo
Golf Alltrack 1.8 TSI 4Motion
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Subaru Outback 2.5L / 2.4T
1.8L TSI Turbo Petrol 4Motion
Fuel consumption
13.5 km/L7.4 L/100km combined · about 891 km a tank
14.0 km/L7.1 L/100km combined · about 882 km a tank
14.8 km/L6.8 L/100km combined · about 814 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,681 / 100 kmKSh 17 a km · KSh 16,812 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,621 / 100 kmKSh 16 a km · KSh 16,211 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,534 / 100 kmKSh 15 a km · KSh 15,335 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,656 mm
4,870 mm
4,578 mm
Width
1,890 mm
1,875 mm
1,799 mm
Height
1,644 mm
1,675 mm
1,515 mm
Wheelbase
2,873 mm
2,745 mm
2,630 mm
Ground clearance
180 mm
213 mm (BS) / 220 mm (BT)
175 mm
Boot space
550 L (1,600 L with seats folded)
522 L (1,800 L folded)
605 L (1,620 L with seats folded)
Kerb weight
1,735 kg
1,620 kg
1,540 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
2.0L M274 Turbocharged Inline-4
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 2.4L FA24 Turbo
1.8L TSI Turbocharged Inline-4 Petrol
Power
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 260 hp (2.4T)
180 hp @ 4,500 rpm
Torque
350 Nm @ 1,200–4,000 rpm
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 376 Nm (2.4T)
280 Nm @ 1,350–4,500 rpm
Drivetrain
4MATIC Permanent AWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
4Motion All-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
7.3 sec
8.6 sec (2.5L) / 6.3 sec (2.4T)
7.8 sec
Top speed
222 km/h
210 km/h
217 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
13.5 km/L
14.0 km/L (2.5L) / 11.8 km/L (2.4T)
14.8 km/L
City
11.0 km/L
11.2 km/L (2.5L) / 9.2 km/L (2.4T)
12.0 km/L
Highway
16.0 km/L
16.5 km/L (2.5L) / 14.5 km/L (2.4T)
17.5 km/L
Tank size
66 L
63 L
55 L
CO₂ emissions
152 g/km
161 g/km
158 g/km
At a glance
Model
Mercedes-Benz GLC250 4MATIC (X253 Series)
Subaru Outback (BS / BT Series)
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack (Mk7.5 / Mk8)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Executive Compact SUV
Estate Crossover Tourer
5-Door Crossover Estate / Wagon
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (Turbocharged Direct Injection)
Petrol
Petrol (TSI), Diesel (TDI)
Engine sizes
1,991 cc
2,498 cc (2.5L FB25) / 2,387 cc (2.4T FA24)
1,798 cc / 1,968 cc
Transmission
9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
7-Speed DSG Automatic
Drivetrain
4MATIC Permanent All-Wheel Drive
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
4Motion Permanent All-Wheel Drive
Ground clearance
180 mm
213 mm (BS) / 220 mm (BT)
175 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD)
Japan / UK (RHD)
Japan (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: 2.0L engine qualifies for 25% excise tax bracket, saving huge customs duties.
- Refined 9G-TRONIC transmission: 9 gear ratios deliver smooth acceleration and quiet 1,400 rpm highway cruising.
- Prestige cabin craftsmanship: Artico leather upholstery, Burmester surround audio, and MBUX infotainment.
- Exceptional long-distance ride comfort: Plush suspension absorbs upcountry road ripples effortlessly.
- High 213–220 mm ground clearance: Easily tackles unpaved murram roads, ruts, and deep puddles.
- Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: Both 2.5L and 2.4T engines qualify for 25% excise tax bracket.
- Raised 175 mm ground clearance: Easily clears estate speed bumps and rough murram roads without scraping.
- 4Motion permanent AWD traction: Haldex coupling transfers power seamlessly across wet bitumen and muddy tracks.
- Vast 605 L boot capacity: Outpaces standard compact crossovers for luggage and upcountry cargo loading.
What’s not so good
- Firmer ride on 19/20-inch AMG rims: AMG Line low-profile tires transmit road firmness over unpaved estate roads.
- Specialized Mercedes maintenance: Demands MB 229.5 spec synthetic oil and specialized Star Diagnostic scanners.
- Long 4.87-meter overall length: Requires care when parallel parking in tight Nairobi streets.
- Lineartronic CVT under towing: Demands auxiliary CVT fluid cooler for heavy trailer towing.
- DSG dual-clutch fluid maintenance: Demands transmission fluid changes every 60,000 km to protect clutch packs.
- Firm European suspension feel: Transmits road vibrations over broken corrugated gravel roads.