Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Subaru OutbackMercedes-Benz GLC250Volkswagen Golf Alltrack
Mandai score
8.5/10
8/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 4,150,000
KSh 4,800,000
KSh 2,750,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
Mid-size SUV
–
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Outback Limited / Touring / X-Break / XT 2.4 Turbo
GLC250 4MATIC AMG Line
Golf Alltrack 1.8 TSI 4Motion
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Subaru Outback 2.5L / 2.4T
1.8L TSI Turbo Petrol 4Motion
Fuel consumption
14.0 km/L7.1 L/100km combined · about 882 km a tank
13.5 km/L7.4 L/100km combined · about 891 km a tank
14.8 km/L6.8 L/100km combined · about 814 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,621 / 100 kmKSh 16 a km · KSh 16,211 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,681 / 100 kmKSh 17 a km · KSh 16,812 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,534 / 100 kmKSh 15 a km · KSh 15,335 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,870 mm
4,656 mm
4,578 mm
Width
1,875 mm
1,890 mm
1,799 mm
Height
1,675 mm
1,644 mm
1,515 mm
Wheelbase
2,745 mm
2,873 mm
2,630 mm
Ground clearance
213 mm (BS) / 220 mm (BT)
180 mm
175 mm
Boot space
522 L (1,800 L folded)
550 L (1,600 L with seats folded)
605 L (1,620 L with seats folded)
Kerb weight
1,620 kg
1,735 kg
1,540 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 2.4L FA24 Turbo
2.0L M274 Turbocharged Inline-4
1.8L TSI Turbocharged Inline-4 Petrol
Power
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 260 hp (2.4T)
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
180 hp @ 4,500 rpm
Torque
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 376 Nm (2.4T)
350 Nm @ 1,200–4,000 rpm
280 Nm @ 1,350–4,500 rpm
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
4MATIC Permanent AWD
4Motion All-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
8.6 sec (2.5L) / 6.3 sec (2.4T)
7.3 sec
7.8 sec
Top speed
210 km/h
222 km/h
217 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
14.0 km/L (2.5L) / 11.8 km/L (2.4T)
13.5 km/L
14.8 km/L
City
11.2 km/L (2.5L) / 9.2 km/L (2.4T)
11.0 km/L
12.0 km/L
Highway
16.5 km/L (2.5L) / 14.5 km/L (2.4T)
16.0 km/L
17.5 km/L
Tank size
63 L
66 L
55 L
CO₂ emissions
161 g/km
152 g/km
158 g/km
At a glance
Model
Subaru Outback (BS / BT Series)
Mercedes-Benz GLC250 4MATIC (X253 Series)
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack (Mk7.5 / Mk8)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
Estate Crossover Tourer
5-Door Executive Compact SUV
5-Door Crossover Estate / Wagon
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol
Petrol (Turbocharged Direct Injection)
Petrol (TSI), Diesel (TDI)
Engine sizes
2,498 cc (2.5L FB25) / 2,387 cc (2.4T FA24)
1,991 cc
1,798 cc / 1,968 cc
Transmission
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic
7-Speed DSG Automatic
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
4MATIC Permanent All-Wheel Drive
4Motion Permanent All-Wheel Drive
Ground clearance
213 mm (BS) / 220 mm (BT)
180 mm
175 mm
Source market
Japan / UK (RHD)
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.
- 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.
- Raised 175 mm ground clearance: Easily clears estate speed bumps and rough murram roads without scraping.
- 4Motion permanent AWD traction: Haldex coupling transfers power seamlessly across wet bitumen and muddy tracks.
- Vast 605 L boot capacity: Outpaces standard compact crossovers for luggage and upcountry cargo loading.
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.
- 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.
- DSG dual-clutch fluid maintenance: Demands transmission fluid changes every 60,000 km to protect clutch packs.
- Firm European suspension feel: Transmits road vibrations over broken corrugated gravel roads.