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Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Mazda Demio
Fuel-economy leader pairing sleek Kodo design with responsive SkyActiv.
Highest ratedBest value
Toyota VitzMazda DemioNissan Note
Mandai score
7/10
8/10
7.5/10
Typical price
KSh 1,350,000
KSh 1,250,000
KSh 1,500,000
Years
2017-2020
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Compact Hatchbacks
Compact Hatchbacks
–
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Vitz 1.0 F / 1.3 F / 1.5 Hybrid F / Jewela
Demio 13S Touring
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Dimensions
Length
3,945 mm
4,060 mm
4,100 mm
Width
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,500 mm
1,500 mm
1,520 mm
Wheelbase
2,510 mm
2,570 mm
2,600 mm
Ground clearance
145 mm
145 mm
150 mm
Boot space
286 L (750 L folded)
280 L
340 L (1,000 L folded)
Kerb weight
970 kg (1,110 kg Hybrid)
1,030 kg
1,220 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.0L 1KR-FE / 1.3L 1NR-FKE / 1.5L 1NZ-FXE Hybrid
1.3L SkyActiv-G Inline-4
1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)
Power
69 hp (1.0L) / 99 hp (1.3L) / 100 hp combined (1.5L Hybrid)
93 hp
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
Torque
92 Nm (1.0L) / 121 Nm (1.3L) / 111 Nm (1.5L Hybrid)
123 Nm
280 Nm instant electric torque
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive / 4WD
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
0–100 km/h
11.5 sec (1.3L) / 12.0 sec (1.5L Hybrid) / 14.5 sec (1.0L)
10.8 s
7.9 sec
Top speed
170 km/h
180 km/h
150 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
20.8 km/L (1.0L) / 25.0 km/L (1.3L) / 34.4 km/L (1.5L Hybrid JC08)
22 km/L
28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
City
17.5 km/L (1.0L) / 21.0 km/L (1.3L) / 30.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
18 km/L
30.0 km/L (e-Power) / 15.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
Highway
23.5 km/L (1.0L) / 28.0 km/L (1.3L) / 36.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
25 km/L
25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
Tank size
42 L (Petrol) / 36 L (Hybrid)
44 L
41 L
CO₂ emissions
110 g/km (1.0L) / 82 g/km (Hybrid)
104 g/km
82 g/km
At a glance
Model
Toyota Vitz (XP130 Series 2nd Facelift)
Mazda Demio / Mazda2
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Production years
2017–2020
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Subcompact Hatchback
5-Door Hatchback
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol, Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Petrol, Clean Diesel
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
Engine sizes
996 cc (1.0L) / 1,329 cc (1.3L) / 1,496 cc (1.5L Hybrid)
1,298 cc, 1,496 cc
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
Transmission
Super CVT-i Automatic / e-CVT
6-speed Automatic
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
Drivetrain
FWD or 4WD
FWD / AWD
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Ground clearance
145 mm
145 mm
150 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Gold standard city fuel saver: 20.0+ km/L on petrol models and up to 30.0+ km/L on 1.5L Hybrid variants.
- Lowest KRA import duty bracket: 1.0L and 1.3L engines sit in the lowest customs tax valuation category.
- Top-tier resale value retention: Exceptional liquidity and universal spare parts availability across Kenya.
- Nimble 4.5-meter turning radius: Effortlessly parks and navigates tight Nairobi urban traffic.
- Superior fuel efficiency: The SkyActiv petrol and diesel engines achieve up to 25 km/L on Kenyan highways.
- Premium interior finish: Soft-touch materials and available MZD Connect screen rival European subcompacts.
- Smooth torque-converter automatic: Avoids the rubber-band CVT feeling found in competitor hatchbacks.
- Sub-1,500 cc tax advantage: Qualifies for Kenya lower customs valuation and excise duty bracket.
- Instant 280 Nm electric torque: Smooth, rapid acceleration away from Nairobi traffic lights.
- Exceptional 28+ km/L fuel economy: Slashes monthly commuter fuel bills by over 50%.
- Generous rear knee room: Cavernous rear passenger space despite compact 4.1m length.
What’s not so good
- 1.0L engine can feel sluggish on steep highway climbs: 69 hp 1KR-FE labors when fully loaded ascending Limuru hills.
- Low 145 mm ground clearance: Requires cautious driving over tall speed bumps.
- Modest rear legroom: Tighter rear passenger seating space compared to the Honda Fit or Toyota Vitz.
- Diesel DPF sensitivity: The 1.5L SkyActiv-D diesel requires regular long highway runs to prevent DPF clogging.
- Low ground clearance: The 145 mm clearance requires careful driving over tall speed bumps.
- 150 mm ground clearance: Requires care over tall speed bumps when fully loaded.
- Engine generator sound under heavy hill climbs: 1.2L engine revs up to charge battery during steep ascents.