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Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Nissan NoteVolkswagen Polo
Mandai score
7.5/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 1,500,000
KSh 1,950,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, Dual-clutch
Doors
5
5
Most popular trim
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
Polo 1.0 TSI Comfortline / Highline / R-Line / GTI
Dealer listings
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
21.0 km/L4.8 L/100km combined · about 840 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 811 / 100 kmKSh 8 a km · KSh 8,106 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,081 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 10,808 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,100 mm
4,053 mm
Width
1,695 mm
1,751 mm
Height
1,520 mm
1,461 mm
Wheelbase
2,600 mm
2,551 mm
Ground clearance
150 mm
145 mm
Boot space
340 L (1,000 L folded)
351 L (1,125 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,220 kg
1,145 kg
Seats
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)
1.0L TSI Turbo 3-Cylinder / 2.0L TSI Turbo 4-Cylinder (GTI)
Power
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
95 hp to 115 hp (1.0T) / 200 hp (GTI)
Torque
280 Nm instant electric torque
175 Nm to 200 Nm (1.0T) / 320 Nm (GTI)
Drivetrain
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Front-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
7.9 sec
6.7 sec (GTI) / 9.5 sec (1.0T 115hp) / 10.8 sec (1.0T 95hp)
Top speed
150 km/h
200 km/h (1.0T) / 237 km/h (GTI)
Fuel economy
Combined
28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
21.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 19.5 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 15.0 km/L (GTI)
City
30.0 km/L (e-Power) / 15.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
18.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 16.8 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 12.2 km/L (GTI)
Highway
25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
24.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 22.5 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 17.5 km/L (GTI)
Tank size
41 L
40 L
CO₂ emissions
82 g/km
108 g/km (1.0T)
At a glance
Model
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Volkswagen Polo (Mk6 AW Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
5-Door Subcompact European Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
Petrol (TSI Turbo)
Engine sizes
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
999 cc (1.0L TSI) / 1,984 cc (2.0L TSI GTI)
Transmission
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Front-Wheel Drive
Ground clearance
150 mm
145 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
UK / 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 KRA import duty bracket: 999 cc TSI engine sits in KRA's lowest customs tax valuation category.
- High-speed European stability: MQB chassis provides unshakeable highway composure at 120 km/L.
- Punchy 200 Nm 1.0T torque: Turbocharged low-end torque makes city overtaking responsive and effortless.
- Generous 351 L boot capacity: Class-leading trunk space for a subcompact hatchback.
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.
- Low 145 mm ground clearance: Requires care when navigating high urban speed bumps.
- Requires quality synthetic VW 504 00 oils: DSG transmission requires fluid maintenance every 60,000 km.