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Mazda Demio
Fuel-economy leader pairing sleek Kodo design with responsive SkyActiv.
Highest ratedBest value
Nissan NoteToyota VitzMazda Demio
Mandai score
7.5/10
7/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 1,500,000
KSh 1,350,000
KSh 1,250,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2020
2017-2023
Body type
–
Compact Hatchbacks
Compact Hatchbacks
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
Vitz 1.0 F / 1.3 F / 1.5 Hybrid F / Jewela
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
20.8 km/L4.8 L/100km combined · about 874 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 1,091 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 10,912 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
3,945 mm
4,060 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
2,510 mm
2,570 mm
Ground clearance
150 mm
145 mm
145 mm
Boot space
340 L (1,000 L folded)
286 L (750 L folded)
280 L
Kerb weight
1,220 kg
970 kg (1,110 kg Hybrid)
1,030 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)
1.0L 1KR-FE / 1.3L 1NR-FKE / 1.5L 1NZ-FXE Hybrid
1.3L SkyActiv-G Inline-4
Power
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
69 hp (1.0L) / 99 hp (1.3L) / 100 hp combined (1.5L Hybrid)
93 hp
Torque
280 Nm instant electric torque
92 Nm (1.0L) / 121 Nm (1.3L) / 111 Nm (1.5L Hybrid)
123 Nm
Drivetrain
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Front-Wheel Drive / 4WD
Front-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
7.9 sec
11.5 sec (1.3L) / 12.0 sec (1.5L Hybrid) / 14.5 sec (1.0L)
10.8 s
Top speed
150 km/h
170 km/h
180 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
20.8 km/L (1.0L) / 25.0 km/L (1.3L) / 34.4 km/L (1.5L Hybrid JC08)
22 km/L
City
30.0 km/L (e-Power) / 15.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
17.5 km/L (1.0L) / 21.0 km/L (1.3L) / 30.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
18 km/L
Highway
25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
23.5 km/L (1.0L) / 28.0 km/L (1.3L) / 36.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
25 km/L
Tank size
41 L
42 L (Petrol) / 36 L (Hybrid)
44 L
CO₂ emissions
82 g/km
110 g/km (1.0L) / 82 g/km (Hybrid)
104 g/km
At a glance
Model
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Toyota Vitz (XP130 Series 2nd Facelift)
Mazda Demio / Mazda2
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2020
2017–2023
Body type
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
5-Door Subcompact Hatchback
5-Door Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
Petrol, Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Petrol, Clean Diesel
Engine sizes
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
996 cc (1.0L) / 1,329 cc (1.3L) / 1,496 cc (1.5L Hybrid)
1,298 cc, 1,496 cc
Transmission
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
Super CVT-i Automatic / e-CVT
6-speed Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
FWD or 4WD
FWD / AWD
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.