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Mazda Axela
Stylish compact hatchback and saloon with SkyActiv performance.
Highest ratedBest value
Mitsubishi LancerMazda Axela
Mandai score
6.5/10
8.5/10
Typical price
KSh 1,700,000
KSh 1,650,000
Years
2016-2020
2017-2023
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, Manual, CVT
Automatic
Doors
4
5
Most popular trim
Lancer EX 1.6 / 1.8 / Grand Lancer 1.8
Axela 15S / 15XD L-Package
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
Dimensions
Length
4,570 mm
4,460 mm (Hatch) / 4,580 mm (Saloon)
Width
1,760 mm
1,795 mm
Height
1,490 mm
1,440 mm
Wheelbase
2,635 mm
2,700 mm
Ground clearance
150 mm
145 mm
Boot space
400 L
358 L
Kerb weight
1,280 kg
1,280 kg
Seats
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.8L 4J10 MIVEC SOHC 4-Cylinder Petrol
1.5L Skyactiv-D Turbo Diesel (15XD)
Power
140 hp @ 6,000 rpm
105 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Torque
176 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
270 Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive / i-ACTIV AWD
0–100 km/h
9.8 sec
9.8 sec
Top speed
192 km/h
188 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
15.2 km/L
21.6 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 17.2 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
City
12.5 km/L
18.0 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 14.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
Highway
18.0 km/L
24.5 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 19.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
Tank size
59 L
51 L
CO₂ emissions
153 g/km
114 g/km
At a glance
Model
Mitsubishi Lancer EX / Grand Lancer
Mazda Axela / Mazda3 (BM / BP Series)
Production years
2016–2020
2017–2023
Body type
4-Door Compact Executive Saloon
5-Door Hatchback / 4-Door Saloon
Seating capacity
5
5 seats
Fuel types
Petrol
Petrol, Clean Diesel, Mild Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,590 cc (1.6L) / 1,798 cc (1.8L MIVEC)
1,496 cc / 1,758 cc / 1,997 cc
Transmission
CVT / Manual Automatic
6-speed Skyactiv-Drive Automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD or i-ACTIV AWD
Ground clearance
150 mm
145 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- High mechanical longevity with simple MIVEC engine design.
- Sub-1,800 cc low KRA import duty rate.
- Spacious rear cabin legroom.
- Sub-1,500 cc customs duty advantage: 1.5L petrol and diesel models qualify for KRA's lowest excise tax bracket.
- High-torque 1.5L diesel engine: 15XD turbo diesel delivers 270 Nm torque while achieving 21.6 km/L fuel economy.
- Upscale cabin craftsmanship: Soft-touch interior materials, MZD Connect infotainment, and heads-up HUD display.
- Excellent high-speed stability: Rigid SkyActiv chassis and 2,700 mm wheelbase provide planted highway handling.
What’s not so good
- Dated dashboard instrument cluster layout.
- Discontinued global production limits body styling updates.
- 145 mm ground clearance: Requires cautious driving over tall estate speed bumps and ramps.
- Compact rear passenger headroom: Sloping roofline reduces rear headroom for tall adults over 6 feet.
- Costly i-Stop AGM battery replacement: Start-stop system requires specialized Q-85 (petrol) or S-95 (diesel) batteries.