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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.

Highest rated

Subaru Forester

The ultimate balance of 220 mm ground clearance, Symmetrical AWD, EyeSight driver assist, and sub-2,500 cc duty savings.

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
Toyota RAV4Subaru ForesterNissan X-Trail
Mandai score
9/10
7/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 4,800,000
KSh 4,200,000
KSh 3,450,000
Years
2019-2023
2018-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
Mid-size SUV
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
RAV4 2.0 Adventure / 2.5 Hybrid G / Limited E-Four
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
X-Trail 20X 4WD / Hybrid / e-Power e-4ORCE
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed

Dimensions

Length
4,600 mm (Adventure: 4,610 mm)
4,625 mm
4,690 mm
Width
1,855 mm (Adventure: 1,865 mm)
1,815 mm
1,820 mm
Height
1,685 mm
1,730 mm
1,740 mm
Wheelbase
2,690 mm
2,670 mm
2,705 mm
Ground clearance
200 mm
220 mm
210 mm
Boot space
580 L (1,690 L folded)
520 L (1,775 L folded)
565 L (5-seater) / 135 L (7-seater expanded to 950 L)
Kerb weight
1,570 kg (1,680 kg Hybrid)
1,570 kg
1,570 kg
Seats
5
5
5 or 7

Specifications

Engine
2.0L M20A-FKS Dynamic Force / 2.5L A25A-FXS Hybrid
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
2.0L MR20DD 4-Cylinder Petrol / 1.5L VC-Turbo e-Power
Power
171 hp (2.0L) / 222 hp combined (2.5L Hybrid E-Four)
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
147 hp @ 6,000 rpm (2.0L) / 213 hp e-4ORCE combined
Torque
207 Nm (2.0L) / 221 Nm (2.5L Hybrid)
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
207 Nm @ 4,400 rpm / 330 Nm electric torque
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive / Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD / E-Four
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
FWD or All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE AWD
0–100 km/h
8.1 sec (2.5L Hybrid) / 9.5 sec (2.0L)
8.2 sec
10.5 sec (2.0L) / 7.0 sec (e-4ORCE)
Top speed
200 km/h
204 km/h
190 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined
15.2 km/L (2.0L Petrol) / 21.0 km/L (2.5L Hybrid)
14.2 km/L (2.5L) / 15.2 km/L (1.8T) / 17.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
16.0 km/L (2.0L) / 19.8 km/L (e-Power)
City
12.8 km/L (2.0L Petrol) / 20.0 km/L (2.5L Hybrid)
11.8 km/L (2.5L) / 12.5 km/L (1.8T) / 15.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
13.5 km/L (2.0L) / 19.0 km/L (e-Power)
Highway
17.5 km/L (2.0L Petrol) / 22.0 km/L (2.5L Hybrid)
16.8 km/L (2.5L) / 18.0 km/L (1.8T) / 18.5 km/L (e-Boxer)
18.2 km/L (2.0L) / 20.5 km/L (e-Power)
Tank size
55 L
63 L
60 L
CO₂ emissions
138 g/km (2.0L) / 102 g/km (Hybrid)
152 g/km
142 g/km

At a glance

Model
Toyota RAV4 (XA50 Series)
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
Nissan X-Trail (T32 / T33 Series)
Production years
2019–2023
2018–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Compact Utility Crossover
SUV / Crossovers
SUV / Crossovers
Seating capacity
5
5
5 or 7
Fuel types
Petrol (Dynamic Force), Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid (e-Power)
Engine sizes
1,986 cc (2.0L M20A-FKS) / 2,487 cc (2.5L A25A-FXS Hybrid)
1,795 cc (1.8T CB18) / 1,995 cc (2.0L e-Boxer) / 2,498 cc (2.5L FB25)
1,497 cc (1.5T e-Power) / 1,997 cc (2.0L MR20DD)
Transmission
Direct Shift-CVT / e-CVT
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
Automatic (CVT / e-CVT)
Drivetrain
FWD or Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD / E-Four
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
FWD or All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE AWD
Ground clearance
200 mm
220 mm
210 mm
Source market
Japan / UK (RHD)
Japan / UK (RHD)
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.
  • Class-leading 220 mm ground clearance: Conquers deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and rough upcountry tracks.
  • Symmetrical AWD with Dual X-Mode: Exceptional mud, snow, and deep gravel traction.
  • Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: All 1.8T, 2.0L, and 2.5L engines qualify for 25% excise tax rate.
  • 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).
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.
  • Lineartronic CVT response: CVT engine revs during heavy highway mountain passes.
  • EyeSight windshield camera care: Requires specialized recalibration if windscreen is replaced.
  • 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.