Compare cars

Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.

Subaru Impreza

Practical daily hatchback and saloon featuring Symmetrical AWD stability, EyeSight safety, and sub-2,000 cc duty savings.

Toyota Auris

Highly durable Japanese hatchback transitioning later into the Corolla Sport line, featuring Valvematic power and sub-1,500 cc duty savings.

Mazda Axela

Stylish compact hatchback and saloon with SkyActiv performance.

Highest ratedBest value
Subaru ImprezaToyota AurisMazda Axela
Mandai score
7.5/10
8/10
8.5/10
Typical price
KSh 2,050,000
KSh 1,950,000
KSh 1,650,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2020
2017-2023
Body type
Compact Hatchbacks
Compact Hatchbacks
–
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Doors
45
5
5
Most popular trim
Impreza 1.6i-L / 2.0i-S EyeSight / Sport
Auris 1.5 150X S Package / Hybrid G
Axela 15S / 15XD L-Package
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed

Dimensions

Length
4,475 mm (Hatch) / 4,640 mm (Saloon)
4,330 mm
4,460 mm (Hatch) / 4,580 mm (Saloon)
Width
1,775 mm
1,760 mm
1,795 mm
Height
1,480 mm
1,480 mm
1,440 mm
Wheelbase
2,670 mm
2,600 mm
2,700 mm
Ground clearance
130 mm
140 mm
145 mm
Boot space
385 L (1,240 L folded)
360 L (1,200 L folded)
358 L
Kerb weight
1,340 kg
1,270 kg
1,280 kg
Seats
5
5
5

Specifications

Engine
2.0L FB20 Direct Injection Boxer 4-Cylinder Petrol
1.5L 1NZ-FE / 1.2L 8NR-FTS Turbo / 1.8L 2ZR-FXE Hybrid
1.5L Skyactiv-D Turbo Diesel (15XD)
Power
154 hp @ 6,000 rpm
109 hp (1.5L) / 116 hp (1.2T) / 136 hp combined (Hybrid)
105 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Torque
196 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
136 Nm (1.5L) / 185 Nm (1.2T) / 142 Nm (Hybrid)
270 Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Front-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive / i-ACTIV AWD
0–100 km/h
9.2 sec
10.0 sec (1.2T) / 10.9 sec (1.5L)
9.8 sec
Top speed
197 km/h
190 km/h
188 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined
15.8 km/L (2.0L) / 17.2 km/L (1.6L)
16.0 km/L (1.5L Petrol) / 17.5 km/L (1.2T) / 26.0 km/L (1.8L Hybrid)
21.6 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 17.2 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
City
13.0 km/L (2.0L) / 14.5 km/L (1.6L)
13.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol) / 14.5 km/L (1.2T) / 25.0 km/L (1.8L Hybrid)
18.0 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 14.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
Highway
18.5 km/L (2.0L) / 20.0 km/L (1.6L)
18.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol) / 20.0 km/L (1.2T) / 27.5 km/L (1.8L Hybrid)
24.5 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 19.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
Tank size
50 L
50 L (Petrol) / 45 L (Hybrid)
51 L
CO₂ emissions
136 g/km
128 g/km (1.5L) / 86 g/km (Hybrid)
114 g/km

At a glance

Model
Subaru Impreza (GK / GT Series)
Toyota Auris / Corolla Sport (E180 / E210 Series)
Mazda Axela / Mazda3 (BM / BP Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2020
2017–2023
Body type
Hatchbacks / Saloons
5-Door Compact Hatchback
5-Door Hatchback / 4-Door Saloon
Seating capacity
5
5
5 seats
Fuel types
Petrol
Petrol, Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Petrol, Clean Diesel, Mild Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,599 cc (1.6L FB16) / 1,995 cc (2.0L FB20)
1,196 cc (1.2T) / 1,496 cc (1.5L) / 1,797 cc (1.8L Hybrid)
1,496 cc / 1,758 cc / 1,997 cc
Transmission
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
Super CVT-i Automatic
6-speed Skyactiv-Drive Automatic
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or 4WD
FWD or i-ACTIV AWD
Ground clearance
130 mm
140 mm
145 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good
  • Standard Symmetrical AWD: Superior grip during heavy downpours on Nairobi tarmac.
  • Subaru Global Platform (SGP): Rigid chassis delivers sharp handling and quiet cabin refinement.
  • Sub-2,000 cc KRA tax advantage: 1.6L and 2.0L engines qualify for 25% excise tax rate.
  • High durability and resale demand: Proven Toyota mechanicals ensure minimal depreciation in local markets.
  • Sub-1,500 cc tax advantage: 1.2T and 1.5L variants qualify for lower KRA import duty valuation.
  • Outstanding 26.0 km/L hybrid efficiency: 1.8L THS-II hybrid eliminates daily fuel costs in Nairobi traffic.
  • Seamless transition to Corolla Sport: Shares core mechanical components with late-model Toyota hatchbacks.
  • Sub-1,500 cc customs duty advantage: 1.5L petrol and diesel models qualify for KRA's lowest excise tax bracket.
  • High-torque 1.5L diesel engine: 15XD turbo diesel delivers 270 Nm torque while achieving 21.6 km/L fuel economy.
  • Upscale cabin craftsmanship: Soft-touch interior materials, MZD Connect infotainment, and heads-up HUD display.
  • Excellent high-speed stability: Rigid SkyActiv chassis and 2,700 mm wheelbase provide planted highway handling.
What’s not so good
  • 130 mm ground clearance: Low ride height requires care over tall speed bumps.
  • CVT responsiveness: Lineartronic CVT prioritizes fuel economy over aggressive acceleration.
  • Low 140 mm ground clearance: Requires cautious driving over tall speed bumps and unpaved estate access roads.
  • Rear legroom: Rear passenger space is adequate for city hops but slightly tighter than a Premio.
  • 145 mm ground clearance: Requires cautious driving over tall estate speed bumps and ramps.
  • Compact rear passenger headroom: Sloping roofline reduces rear headroom for tall adults over 6 feet.
  • Costly i-Stop AGM battery replacement: Start-stop system requires specialized Q-85 (petrol) or S-95 (diesel) batteries.