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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
Nissan NoteMazda DemioToyota Vitz
Mandai score
7.5/10
8/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 1,500,000
KSh 1,250,000
KSh 1,350,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2020
Body type
–
Compact Hatchbacks
Compact Hatchbacks
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
Demio 13S Touring
Vitz 1.0 F / 1.3 F / 1.5 Hybrid F / Jewela
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Dimensions
Length
4,100 mm
4,060 mm
3,945 mm
Width
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,520 mm
1,500 mm
1,500 mm
Wheelbase
2,600 mm
2,570 mm
2,510 mm
Ground clearance
150 mm
145 mm
145 mm
Boot space
340 L (1,000 L folded)
280 L
286 L (750 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,220 kg
1,030 kg
970 kg (1,110 kg Hybrid)
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)
1.3L SkyActiv-G Inline-4
1.0L 1KR-FE / 1.3L 1NR-FKE / 1.5L 1NZ-FXE Hybrid
Power
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
93 hp
69 hp (1.0L) / 99 hp (1.3L) / 100 hp combined (1.5L Hybrid)
Torque
280 Nm instant electric torque
123 Nm
92 Nm (1.0L) / 121 Nm (1.3L) / 111 Nm (1.5L Hybrid)
Drivetrain
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Front-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive / 4WD
0–100 km/h
7.9 sec
10.8 s
11.5 sec (1.3L) / 12.0 sec (1.5L Hybrid) / 14.5 sec (1.0L)
Top speed
150 km/h
180 km/h
170 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
22 km/L
20.8 km/L (1.0L) / 25.0 km/L (1.3L) / 34.4 km/L (1.5L Hybrid JC08)
City
30.0 km/L (e-Power) / 15.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
18 km/L
17.5 km/L (1.0L) / 21.0 km/L (1.3L) / 30.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
Highway
25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
25 km/L
23.5 km/L (1.0L) / 28.0 km/L (1.3L) / 36.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
Tank size
41 L
44 L
42 L (Petrol) / 36 L (Hybrid)
CO₂ emissions
82 g/km
104 g/km
110 g/km (1.0L) / 82 g/km (Hybrid)
At a glance
Model
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Mazda Demio / Mazda2
Toyota Vitz (XP130 Series 2nd Facelift)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2020
Body type
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
5-Door Hatchback
5-Door Subcompact Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
Petrol, Clean Diesel
Petrol, Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Engine sizes
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
1,298 cc, 1,496 cc
996 cc (1.0L) / 1,329 cc (1.3L) / 1,496 cc (1.5L Hybrid)
Transmission
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
6-speed Automatic
Super CVT-i Automatic / e-CVT
Drivetrain
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
FWD / AWD
FWD or 4WD
Ground clearance
150 mm
145 mm
145 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
Japan (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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.