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

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Subaru Outback

The definitive estate tourer featuring 213–220 mm ground clearance, exceptional long-distance ride comfort, and sub-2,500 cc duty savings.

Highest ratedBest value
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BMW X3

Versatile premium compact SUV with xDrive AWD, 204 mm ground clearance, and sub-2,000 cc diesel efficiency.

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Mercedes-Benz GLC250

Compact luxury crossover with 211 hp turbo power and 4MATIC AWD.

Subaru OutbackBMW X3Mercedes-Benz GLC250
Mandai score
8.5/10
8/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 4,150,000
KSh 4,900,000
KSh 4,800,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
Mid-size SUV
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Outback Limited / Touring / X-Break / XT 2.4 Turbo
X3 xDrive20d M Sport / xDrive30i M Sport
GLC250 4MATIC AMG Line
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed

Fuel and running cost

Trim
Subaru Outback 2.5L / 2.4T
Standard
Fuel consumption
14.0 km/L7.1 L/100km combined · about 882 km a tank
16.2 km/L6.2 L/100km combined · about 1102 km a tank
13.5 km/L7.4 L/100km combined · about 891 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,621 / 100 kmKSh 16 a km · KSh 16,211 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,401 / 100 kmKSh 14 a km · KSh 14,010 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,681 / 100 kmKSh 17 a km · KSh 16,812 for 1,000 km · petrol

Dimensions

Length
4,870 mm
4,708 mm
4,656 mm
Width
1,875 mm
1,891 mm
1,890 mm
Height
1,675 mm
1,676 mm
1,644 mm
Wheelbase
2,745 mm
2,864 mm
2,873 mm
Ground clearance
213 mm (BS) / 220 mm (BT)
204 mm
180 mm
Boot space
522 L (1,800 L folded)
550 L (1,600 L folded)
550 L (1,600 L with seats folded)
Kerb weight
1,620 kg
1,750 kg
1,735 kg
Seats
5
5
5

Specifications

Engine
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 2.4L FA24 Turbo
2.0L B47 Turbo Diesel / 2.0L B48 Turbo Petrol
2.0L M274 Turbocharged Inline-4
Power
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 260 hp (2.4T)
190 hp @ 4,000 rpm (20d) / 252 hp @ 5,200 rpm (30i)
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 376 Nm (2.4T)
400 Nm @ 1,750–2,500 rpm (20d) / 350 Nm (30i)
350 Nm @ 1,200–4,000 rpm
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Intelligent xDrive AWD
4MATIC Permanent AWD
0–100 km/h
8.6 sec (2.5L) / 6.3 sec (2.4T)
6.3 sec (30i) – 8.0 sec (20d)
7.3 sec
Top speed
210 km/h
213 km/h – 240 km/h
222 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined
14.0 km/L (2.5L) / 11.8 km/L (2.4T)
16.2 km/L (xDrive20d) / 12.8 km/L (xDrive30i)
13.5 km/L
City
11.2 km/L (2.5L) / 9.2 km/L (2.4T)
13.8 km/L (xDrive20d) / 10.2 km/L (xDrive30i)
11.0 km/L
Highway
16.5 km/L (2.5L) / 14.5 km/L (2.4T)
18.5 km/L (xDrive20d) / 15.0 km/L (xDrive30i)
16.0 km/L
Tank size
63 L
68 L
66 L
CO₂ emissions
161 g/km
138 g/km (20d) / 168 g/km (30i)
152 g/km

At a glance

Model
Subaru Outback (BS / BT Series)
BMW X3 (G01 Series)
Mercedes-Benz GLC250 4MATIC (X253 Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
Estate Crossover Tourer
5-Door Premium Compact Crossover
5-Door Executive Compact SUV
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol
Clean Diesel, Petrol
Petrol (Turbocharged Direct Injection)
Engine sizes
2,498 cc (2.5L FB25) / 2,387 cc (2.4T FA24)
1,995 cc (2.0L Diesel) / 1,998 cc (2.0L Petrol)
1,991 cc
Transmission
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
8-Speed Steptronic Automatic
9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Intelligent xDrive AWD
4MATIC Permanent All-Wheel Drive
Ground clearance
213 mm (BS) / 220 mm (BT)
204 mm
180 mm
Source market
Japan / UK (RHD)
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good
  • Exceptional long-distance ride comfort: Plush suspension absorbs upcountry road ripples effortlessly.
  • High 213–220 mm ground clearance: Easily tackles unpaved murram roads, ruts, and deep puddles.
  • Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: Both 2.5L and 2.4T engines qualify for 25% excise tax bracket.
  • High 204 mm ground clearance: Confidently clears deep ruts, tall speed bumps, and rough upcountry roads.
  • Sub-2,000 cc tax advantage: Both 2.0L diesel and petrol engines qualify for 25% KRA excise tax rate.
  • Practical 550 L boot space: Generous cargo capacity expanding to 1,600 L with 40:20:40 split rear seats.
  • Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: 2.0L engine qualifies for 25% excise tax bracket, saving huge customs duties.
  • Refined 9G-TRONIC transmission: 9 gear ratios deliver smooth acceleration and quiet 1,400 rpm highway cruising.
  • Prestige cabin craftsmanship: Artico leather upholstery, Burmester surround audio, and MBUX infotainment.
What’s not so good
  • Long 4.87-meter overall length: Requires care when parallel parking in tight Nairobi streets.
  • Lineartronic CVT under towing: Demands auxiliary CVT fluid cooler for heavy trailer towing.
  • Firm ride on 20-inch M Sport wheels: Low-profile tires transmit road roughness over corrugated gravel tracks.
  • DPF filter maintenance: 2.0L diesel models require periodic long highway runs to clean particulate filters.
  • Firmer ride on 19/20-inch AMG rims: AMG Line low-profile tires transmit road firmness over unpaved estate roads.
  • Specialized Mercedes maintenance: Demands MB 229.5 spec synthetic oil and specialized Star Diagnostic scanners.
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