Compare cars

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

Toyota RAV4

Modern TNGA platform entry offering supreme utility options, 200 mm ground clearance, Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD, and 21.0 km/L hybrid efficiency.

Nissan X-Trail

Highly practical family crossover available with selectable 4x4-i setups, optional 7 seats, and sub-2,000 cc duty savings.

Best value

Honda CR-V

Premium 5 or 7 seater family SUV with 1.5L VTEC Turbo, bulletproof NA i-VTEC longevity, and 21.0 km/L e:HEV hybrid torque.

Toyota RAV4Nissan X-TrailHonda CR-V

Mandai score

9/10

7/10

9/10

Typical price

KSh 4,800,000

KSh 3,450,000

KSh 4,500,000

Years

2019-2023

2017-2023

Body type

Mid-size SUV

–

Fuel

Petrol, Hybrid

Transmission

Automatic, CVT

Doors

Fuel and running cost

Trim

Nissan X-Trail 2.0L Petrol / e-Power

Fuel consumption

15.2 km/L6.6 L/100km combined · about 836 km a tank

19.8 km/L5.1 L/100km combined · about 1188 km a tank

14.5 km/L6.9 L/100km combined · about 827 km a tank

Running cost

KSh 1,493 / 100 kmKSh 15 a km · KSh 14,932 for 1,000 km · petrol

KSh 1,146 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 11,463 for 1,000 km · petrol

KSh 1,565 / 100 kmKSh 16 a km · KSh 15,652 for 1,000 km · petrol

Dimensions

Length

4,600 mm (Adventure: 4,610 mm)

4,690 mm

4,605 mm

Width

1,855 mm (Adventure: 1,865 mm)

1,820 mm

1,855 mm

Height

1,685 mm

1,740 mm

1,680 mm

Wheelbase

2,690 mm

2,705 mm

2,660 mm

Ground clearance

200 mm

210 mm

208 mm

Boot space

580 L (1,690 L folded)

565 L (5-seater) / 135 L (7-seater expanded to 950 L)

561 L (5-seater) / 150 L (7-seater expanded to 967 L)

Kerb weight

1,570 kg (1,680 kg Hybrid)

1,570 kg

1,580 kg

Seats

5 or 7

Specifications

Engine

2.0L M20A-FKS Dynamic Force / 2.5L A25A-FXS Hybrid

2.0L MR20DD 4-Cylinder Petrol / 1.5L VC-Turbo e-Power

1.5L VTEC Turbo / 2.0L-2.4L NA i-VTEC / 2.0L e:HEV Hybrid

Power

171 hp (2.0L) / 222 hp combined (2.5L Hybrid E-Four)

147 hp @ 6,000 rpm (2.0L) / 213 hp e-4ORCE combined

184 hp to 190 hp (Variant dependent)

Torque

207 Nm (2.0L) / 221 Nm (2.5L Hybrid)

207 Nm @ 4,400 rpm / 330 Nm electric torque

175 Nm to 315 Nm (Electric motor combined torque)

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive / Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD / E-Four

FWD or All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE AWD

Real Time AWD / FWD

0–100 km/h

8.1 sec (2.5L Hybrid) / 9.5 sec (2.0L)

10.5 sec (2.0L) / 7.0 sec (e-4ORCE)

8.8 sec (1.5T) / 8.6 sec (e:HEV)

Top speed

200 km/h

190 km/h

200 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined

15.2 km/L (2.0L Petrol) / 21.0 km/L (2.5L Hybrid)

16.0 km/L (2.0L) / 19.8 km/L (e-Power)

14.5 km/L (1.5T) / 13.0 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 21.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)

City

12.8 km/L (2.0L Petrol) / 20.0 km/L (2.5L Hybrid)

13.5 km/L (2.0L) / 19.0 km/L (e-Power)

12.0 km/L (1.5T) / 10.5 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 20.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)

Highway

17.5 km/L (2.0L Petrol) / 22.0 km/L (2.5L Hybrid)

18.2 km/L (2.0L) / 20.5 km/L (e-Power)

16.8 km/L (1.5T) / 15.5 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 22.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)

Tank size

55 L

60 L

57 L

CO₂ emissions

138 g/km (2.0L) / 102 g/km (Hybrid)

142 g/km

143 g/km (1.5T) / 114 g/km (e:HEV)

At a glance

Model

Toyota RAV4 (XA50 Series)

Nissan X-Trail (T32 / T33 Series)

Honda CR-V (RW1/RW2 & RT5/RT6 Series)

Production years

2019–2023

2017–2023

Body type

5-Door Compact Utility Crossover

SUV / Crossovers

5-Door 5/7-Seater Executive SUV

Seating capacity

5 or 7

Fuel types

Petrol (Dynamic Force), Full Hybrid (THS-II)

Petrol, Hybrid (e-Power)

Petrol (VTEC Turbo / NA i-VTEC), Full Hybrid (e:HEV)

Engine sizes

1,986 cc (2.0L M20A-FKS) / 2,487 cc (2.5L A25A-FXS Hybrid)

1,497 cc (1.5T e-Power) / 1,997 cc (2.0L MR20DD)

1,496 cc / 1,993 cc / 2,354 cc

Transmission

Direct Shift-CVT / e-CVT

Automatic (CVT / e-CVT)

CVT Automatic / Single-Speed e-CVT

Drivetrain

FWD or Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD / E-Four

FWD or All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE AWD

FWD or Real Time AWD

Ground clearance

200 mm

210 mm

208 mm

Source market

Japan / UK (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good

Modern TNGA platform entry: Superior chassis rigidity, sharp handling, and excellent ride refinement on local roads.
Sub-2,500 cc KRA duty advantage: All 2.0L Petrol and 2.5L Hybrid variants qualify for the lower 25% excise tax bracket.
High 200 mm ground clearance: Easily clears deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and rough upcountry estate roads.
21.0 km/L hybrid efficiency: Exceptional fuel savings in heavy Nairobi bumper-to-bumper traffic jams.

Selectable All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE: Lockable 4WD mode provides excellent mud and sand traction.
High 210 mm ground clearance: Easily clears deep ruts and unpaved upcountry tracks.
Sub-2,000 cc KRA tax advantage: Qualifies for 25% excise duty rate (saving over 3.0L SUVs).

Sub-2,500 cc tax bracket advantage: All 1.5T, 2.0L, 2.4L, and Hybrid engines qualify for the lower 25% KRA excise tax rate.
High 208 mm ground clearance: Easily clears deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and rough upcountry murram tracks.
Earth Dreams 1.5T climbing torque: Maintains altitude power up the Rift Valley escarpment without sluggishness.
Optional 7-seater layout: Provides third-row versatility for growing families without stepping up to a large MPV.

What’s not so good

High KRA CRSP customs valuation: Substantial import duty investment compared to earlier 4th-gen RAV4 models.
Wind noise at high highway speeds: Minor cabin wind rustle around side mirrors over 120 km/h.

Third-row legroom: 7-seater third row is best reserved for children or short trips.
CVT fluid service interval: Xtronic CVT requires genuine NS-3 fluid replacement every 40,000 km.

Firm ride on 18-inch Masterpiece alloys: Transmits minor vibrations on corrugated unpaved roads.
CVT engine revs on heavy mountain climbs: Non-hybrid CVT holds elevated engine revs during steep highway passes.