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Toyota Auris

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

Best value

Volkswagen Golf

From efficient standard hatchbacks to lifted off-road-capable Alltrack wagons, featuring MQB chassis precision and sub-1,500 cc duty savings.

Highest rated

Audi A3

Premium German compact saloon and hatchback blending Virtual Cockpit refinement, responsive TFSI performance, and sub-1,500 cc duty savings.

Toyota AurisVolkswagen GolfAudi A3
Mandai score
8/10
8.5/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 1,950,000
KSh 3,200,000
KSh 28,000,004,500,000
Years
2017-2020
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Compact Hatchbacks
–
–
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, Dual-clutch
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Auris 1.5 150X S Package / Hybrid G
Golf 1.4 TSI / Golf Alltrack / Golf GTD / Golf GTI
A3 1.4 TFSI / 30 TFSI S Line
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed

Dimensions

Length
4,330 mm
4,258 mm (Hatchback) / 4,578 mm (Variant / Alltrack)
4,343 mm (Sportback) / 4,495 mm (Saloon)
Width
1,760 mm
1,799 mm
1,816 mm
Height
1,480 mm
1,492 mm (Alltrack: 1,515 mm)
1,430 mm
Wheelbase
2,600 mm
2,637 mm
2,636 mm
Ground clearance
140 mm
140 mm (Hatchback) / 175 mm (Alltrack)
140 mm
Boot space
360 L (1,200 L folded)
380 L (Hatch) / 605 L (Variant / Alltrack)
380 L (Sportback) / 425 L (Saloon)
Kerb weight
1,270 kg
1,280 kg (Alltrack: 1,530 kg)
1,280 kg
Seats
5
5
5

Specifications

Engine
1.5L 1NZ-FE / 1.2L 8NR-FTS Turbo / 1.8L 2ZR-FXE Hybrid
1.4L TSI Petrol / 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel / 2.0L TSI Turbo GTI
1.4L TFSI Turbo Petrol (30 TFSI)
Power
109 hp (1.5L) / 116 hp (1.2T) / 136 hp combined (Hybrid)
150 hp (1.4T) / 184 hp (2.0 TDI) / 245 hp (GTI)
150 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque
136 Nm (1.5L) / 185 Nm (1.2T) / 142 Nm (Hybrid)
250 Nm (1.4T) / 380 Nm (2.0 TDI) / 370 Nm (GTI)
250 Nm @ 1,500–3,500 rpm
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive / 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
10.0 sec (1.2T) / 10.9 sec (1.5L)
6.2 sec (GTI) / 7.8 sec (2.0 TDI) / 8.2 sec (1.4T)
8.2 sec
Top speed
190 km/h
216 km/h – 250 km/h
224 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined
16.0 km/L (1.5L Petrol) / 17.5 km/L (1.2T) / 26.0 km/L (1.8L Hybrid)
18.2 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 21.5 km/L (2.0 TDI) / 14.5 km/L (GTI)
17.5 km/L (1.4T) / 18.5 km/L (1.5T MHEV)
City
13.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol) / 14.5 km/L (1.2T) / 25.0 km/L (1.8L Hybrid)
15.0 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 18.5 km/L (2.0 TDI) / 11.8 km/L (GTI)
14.5 km/L (1.4T) / 15.5 km/L (1.5T MHEV)
Highway
18.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol) / 20.0 km/L (1.2T) / 27.5 km/L (1.8L Hybrid)
21.0 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 24.0 km/L (2.0 TDI) / 17.2 km/L (GTI)
20.5 km/L (1.4T) / 21.5 km/L (1.5T MHEV)
Tank size
50 L (Petrol) / 45 L (Hybrid)
50 L (Hatch) / 55 L (4MOTION)
50 L
CO₂ emissions
128 g/km (1.5L) / 86 g/km (Hybrid)
125 g/km (1.4T) / 119 g/km (2.0 TDI)
119 g/km

At a glance

Model
Toyota Auris / Corolla Sport (E180 / E210 Series)
Volkswagen Golf / Variant / Alltrack (Mk7.5 & Mk8)
Audi A3 (8V Facelift / 8Y Series)
Production years
2017–2020
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Compact Hatchback
5-Door Hatchback / 5-Door Estate / Lifted Wagon
5-Door Sportback / 4-Door Saloon
Seating capacity
5
5
5 seats
Fuel types
Petrol, Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Petrol (TSI), Clean Diesel (TDI)
Petrol (TFSI), Mild Hybrid (MHEV)
Engine sizes
1,196 cc (1.2T) / 1,496 cc (1.5L) / 1,797 cc (1.8L Hybrid)
1,197 cc (1.2T) / 1,395 cc (1.4T) / 1,968 cc (2.0L TDI) / 1,984 cc (2.0T GTI)
1,395 cc / 1,498 cc / 1,984 cc
Transmission
Super CVT-i Automatic
7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
7-speed S tronic Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or 4WD
FWD or 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive
FWD or Quattro AWD
Ground clearance
140 mm
140 mm (Hatchback) / 175 mm (Alltrack)
140 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD)
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan / UK (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Sub-1,500 cc customs tax advantage: 1.4L and 1.5L engines qualify for lowest KRA tax bracket.
  • Premium Virtual Cockpit interior: 12.3-inch digital display with MMI touch navigation.
  • Excellent 17.5+ km/L fuel economy: Frugal turbo petrol technology with Cylinder on Demand.
  • Elegant Saloon & Sportback options: High executive style and strong local market demand.
What’s not so good
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 140 mm ground clearance: Requires cautious driving over tall estate speed bumps.
  • S tronic dual-clutch maintenance: Demands regular transmission fluid changes every 60,000 km.
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