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Mazda Demio
Fuel-economy leader pairing sleek Kodo design with responsive SkyActiv.
Highest ratedBest value
Nissan NoteAudi A1Mazda Demio
Mandai score
7.5/10
7.5/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 1,500,000
KSh 2,200,000
KSh 1,250,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
–
–
Compact Hatchbacks
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
A1 Sportback 25 TFSI / 30 TFSI S Line
Demio 13S Touring
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Nissan Note e-Power
Fuel consumption
28.0 km/L3.6 L/100km combined · about 1148 km a tank
19.5 km/L5.1 L/100km combined · about 780 km a tank
20.5 km/L4.9 L/100km combined · about 902 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 811 / 100 kmKSh 8 a km · KSh 8,106 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,164 / 100 kmKSh 12 a km · KSh 11,639 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,107 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 11,071 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,100 mm
4,029 mm
4,060 mm
Width
1,695 mm
1,740 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,520 mm
1,409 mm
1,500 mm
Wheelbase
2,600 mm
2,563 mm
2,570 mm
Ground clearance
150 mm
135 mm
145 mm
Boot space
340 L (1,000 L folded)
335 L
280 L
Kerb weight
1,220 kg
1,165 kg
1,030 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)
1.0L TFSI 3-Cylinder Turbo (30 TFSI)
1.3L SkyActiv-G Inline-4
Power
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
116 hp @ 5,000 rpm
93 hp
Torque
280 Nm instant electric torque
200 Nm @ 2,000–3,500 rpm
123 Nm
Drivetrain
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Front-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
7.9 sec
9.4 sec
10.8 s
Top speed
150 km/h
203 km/h
180 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
19.5 km/L (1.0T) / 17.5 km/L (1.5T)
22 km/L
City
30.0 km/L (e-Power) / 15.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
16.5 km/L (1.0T) / 14.5 km/L (1.5T)
18 km/L
Highway
25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
22.0 km/L (1.0T) / 20.0 km/L (1.5T)
25 km/L
Tank size
41 L
40 L
44 L
CO₂ emissions
82 g/km
112 g/km
104 g/km
At a glance
Model
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Audi A1 Sportback (GB Series)
Mazda Demio / Mazda2
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
5-Door Compact Luxury Hatchback
5-Door Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5 seats
5
Fuel types
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
Petrol (TFSI)
Petrol, Clean Diesel
Engine sizes
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
999 cc / 1,395 cc / 1,498 cc / 1,984 cc
1,298 cc, 1,496 cc
Transmission
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
7-speed S tronic Dual-Clutch Automatic
6-speed Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
FWD / AWD
Ground clearance
150 mm
135 mm
145 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
Japan / UK (RHD)
Japan (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- 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.
- Lowest customs duty bracket: 1.0L engine qualifies for Kenya's lowest customs tax valuation category.
- Premium Virtual Cockpit display: 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with MMI touch screen.
- Excellent 19.5+ km/L fuel economy: Low operating costs for daily urban commuting.
- Effortless city parking: Compact 4.02-meter length makes Nairobi CBD parking stress-free.
- 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
- 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.
- 135 mm ground clearance: Requires care over steep estate speed bumps.
- S tronic dual-clutch sensitivity: Demands proper transmission maintenance in heavy traffic.
- 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.