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Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Subaru ImprezaVolkswagen Golf
Mandai score
7.5/10
8.5/10
Typical price
KSh 2,050,000
KSh 3,200,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Compact Hatchbacks
–
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, Dual-clutch
Doors
45
5
Most popular trim
Impreza 1.6i-L / 2.0i-S EyeSight / Sport
Golf 1.4 TSI / Golf Alltrack / Golf GTD / Golf GTI
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
Dimensions
Length
4,475 mm (Hatch) / 4,640 mm (Saloon)
4,258 mm (Hatchback) / 4,578 mm (Variant / Alltrack)
Width
1,775 mm
1,799 mm
Height
1,480 mm
1,492 mm (Alltrack: 1,515 mm)
Wheelbase
2,670 mm
2,637 mm
Ground clearance
130 mm
140 mm (Hatchback) / 175 mm (Alltrack)
Boot space
385 L (1,240 L folded)
380 L (Hatch) / 605 L (Variant / Alltrack)
Kerb weight
1,340 kg
1,280 kg (Alltrack: 1,530 kg)
Seats
5
5
Specifications
Engine
2.0L FB20 Direct Injection Boxer 4-Cylinder Petrol
1.4L TSI Petrol / 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel / 2.0L TSI Turbo GTI
Power
154 hp @ 6,000 rpm
150 hp (1.4T) / 184 hp (2.0 TDI) / 245 hp (GTI)
Torque
196 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
250 Nm (1.4T) / 380 Nm (2.0 TDI) / 370 Nm (GTI)
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Front-Wheel Drive / 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
9.2 sec
6.2 sec (GTI) / 7.8 sec (2.0 TDI) / 8.2 sec (1.4T)
Top speed
197 km/h
216 km/h – 250 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
15.8 km/L (2.0L) / 17.2 km/L (1.6L)
18.2 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 21.5 km/L (2.0 TDI) / 14.5 km/L (GTI)
City
13.0 km/L (2.0L) / 14.5 km/L (1.6L)
15.0 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 18.5 km/L (2.0 TDI) / 11.8 km/L (GTI)
Highway
18.5 km/L (2.0L) / 20.0 km/L (1.6L)
21.0 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 24.0 km/L (2.0 TDI) / 17.2 km/L (GTI)
Tank size
50 L
50 L (Hatch) / 55 L (4MOTION)
CO₂ emissions
136 g/km
125 g/km (1.4T) / 119 g/km (2.0 TDI)
At a glance
Model
Subaru Impreza (GK / GT Series)
Volkswagen Golf / Variant / Alltrack (Mk7.5 & Mk8)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
Hatchbacks / Saloons
5-Door Hatchback / 5-Door Estate / Lifted Wagon
Seating capacity
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol
Petrol (TSI), Clean Diesel (TDI)
Engine sizes
1,599 cc (1.6L FB16) / 1,995 cc (2.0L FB20)
1,197 cc (1.2T) / 1,395 cc (1.4T) / 1,968 cc (2.0L TDI) / 1,984 cc (2.0T GTI)
Transmission
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
FWD or 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive
Ground clearance
130 mm
140 mm (Hatchback) / 175 mm (Alltrack)
Source market
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
UK / 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-speed highway rock stability: MQB chassis provides unshakeable composure on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.
- Sub-1,500 cc duty advantage on 1.2T/1.4T TSI: Sits in KRA's lower customs tax valuation tier.
- Lifted 175 mm Alltrack 4MOTION wagon capability: Combines 605 L cargo capacity with off-road rough track traction.
- 21.5 km/L 2.0 TDI clean diesel torque: 380 Nm torque delivers effortless long-distance overtaking economy.
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 on standard hatchbacks: Requires careful speed bump clearance in Nairobi estates.
- Requires quality synthetic VW 504 00/507 00 oils: DSG dual-clutch transmission requires fluid service every 60,000 km.