Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Subaru ForesterBMW X5Toyota RAV4
Mandai score
7/10
9/10
9/10
Typical price
KSh 4,200,000
KSh 6,800,000
KSh 4,800,000
Years
2018-2023
2017-2023
2019-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
–
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
X5 xDrive30d M Sport / xDrive40i M Sport
RAV4 2.0 Adventure / 2.5 Hybrid G / Limited E-Four
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Subaru Forester 2.5L / 1.8T / 2.0L e-Boxer
Standard
Fuel consumption
17.0 km/L5.9 L/100km combined · about 1071 km a tank
14.2 km/L7.0 L/100km combined · about 1136 km a tank
15.2 km/L6.6 L/100km combined · about 836 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,335 / 100 kmKSh 13 a km · KSh 13,351 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,598 / 100 kmKSh 16 a km · KSh 15,983 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,493 / 100 kmKSh 15 a km · KSh 14,932 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,625 mm
4,922 mm
4,600 mm (Adventure: 4,610 mm)
Width
1,815 mm
2,004 mm
1,855 mm (Adventure: 1,865 mm)
Height
1,730 mm
1,745 mm
1,685 mm
Wheelbase
2,670 mm
2,975 mm
2,690 mm
Ground clearance
220 mm
214 mm
200 mm
Boot space
520 L (1,775 L folded)
650 L (5-seater expanded to 1,870 L)
580 L (1,690 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,570 kg
2,110 kg
1,570 kg (1,680 kg Hybrid)
Seats
5
5 or 7
5
Specifications
Engine
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
3.0L B57 TwinPower Diesel / 3.0L B58 Turbo Petrol
2.0L M20A-FKS Dynamic Force / 2.5L A25A-FXS Hybrid
Power
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
265 hp (30d) / 340 hp (40i) / 523 hp (M50i)
171 hp (2.0L) / 222 hp combined (2.5L Hybrid E-Four)
Torque
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
620 Nm (30d) / 450 Nm (40i) / 750 Nm (M50i)
207 Nm (2.0L) / 221 Nm (2.5L Hybrid)
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Intelligent xDrive AWD
Front-Wheel Drive / Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD / E-Four
0–100 km/h
8.2 sec
4.3 sec (M50i) – 6.5 sec (30d)
8.1 sec (2.5L Hybrid) / 9.5 sec (2.0L)
Top speed
204 km/h
230 km/h – 250 km/h
200 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
14.2 km/L (2.5L) / 15.2 km/L (1.8T) / 17.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
14.2 km/L (xDrive30d) / 11.0 km/L (xDrive40i)
15.2 km/L (2.0L Petrol) / 21.0 km/L (2.5L Hybrid)
City
11.8 km/L (2.5L) / 12.5 km/L (1.8T) / 15.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
11.5 km/L (xDrive30d) / 8.8 km/L (xDrive40i)
12.8 km/L (2.0L Petrol) / 20.0 km/L (2.5L Hybrid)
Highway
16.8 km/L (2.5L) / 18.0 km/L (1.8T) / 18.5 km/L (e-Boxer)
16.5 km/L (xDrive30d) / 13.2 km/L (xDrive40i)
17.5 km/L (2.0L Petrol) / 22.0 km/L (2.5L Hybrid)
Tank size
63 L
80 L
55 L
CO₂ emissions
152 g/km
175 g/km (30d) / 200 g/km (40i)
138 g/km (2.0L) / 102 g/km (Hybrid)
At a glance
Model
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
BMW X5 (F15 / G05 Series)
Toyota RAV4 (XA50 Series)
Production years
2018–2023
2017–2023
2019–2023
Body type
SUV / Crossovers
5-Door Luxury Executive SUV
5-Door Compact Utility Crossover
Seating capacity
5
5 or 7
5
Fuel types
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Clean Diesel, Petrol, Plug-In Hybrid
Petrol (Dynamic Force), Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Engine sizes
1,795 cc (1.8T CB18) / 1,995 cc (2.0L e-Boxer) / 2,498 cc (2.5L FB25)
2,993 cc (3.0L Diesel) / 2,998 cc (3.0L Petrol) / 4,395 cc (4.4L V8)
1,986 cc (2.0L M20A-FKS) / 2,487 cc (2.5L A25A-FXS Hybrid)
Transmission
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
8-Speed Steptronic Sport Automatic
Direct Shift-CVT / e-CVT
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Intelligent xDrive AWD
FWD or Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD / E-Four
Ground clearance
220 mm
214 mm
200 mm
Source market
Japan / UK (RHD)
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan / UK (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Class-leading 220 mm ground clearance: Conquers deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and rough upcountry tracks.
- Symmetrical AWD with Dual X-Mode: Exceptional mud, snow, and deep gravel traction.
- Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: All 1.8T, 2.0L, and 2.5L engines qualify for 25% excise tax rate.
- Massive low-end diesel torque: 620 Nm output delivers effortless highway overtaking power.
- High 214 mm ground clearance: Easily tackles unpaved estate tracks and deep upcountry ruts.
- Optional 3rd row / 7-seater layout: Provides extra seating versatility for larger family transfers.
- Modern TNGA platform entry: Superior chassis rigidity, sharp handling, and excellent ride refinement on local roads.
- Sub-2,500 cc KRA duty advantage: All 2.0L Petrol and 2.5L Hybrid variants qualify for the lower 25% excise tax bracket.
- High 200 mm ground clearance: Easily clears deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and rough upcountry estate roads.
- 21.0 km/L hybrid efficiency: Exceptional fuel savings in heavy Nairobi bumper-to-bumper traffic jams.
What’s not so good
- Lineartronic CVT response: CVT engine revs during heavy highway mountain passes.
- EyeSight windshield camera care: Requires specialized recalibration if windscreen is replaced.
- High KRA customs valuation: 3.0L+ engines trigger the 35% excise duty tax bracket.
- Wide 2.0-meter body width: Requires extra care when parking in narrow commercial bays.
- High KRA CRSP customs valuation: Substantial import duty investment compared to earlier 4th-gen RAV4 models.
- Wind noise at high highway speeds: Minor cabin wind rustle around side mirrors over 120 km/h.