Compare cars

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

Toyota Vitz

The gold standard subcompact daily city fuel saver with 20.0+ km/L efficiency, Magic interior flexibility, and sub-1,000 cc duty savings.

Nissan Note

Extremely popular compact hatchback featuring revolutionary e-Power hybrid technology and 28+ km/L efficiency.

Mazda Demio

Fuel-economy leader pairing sleek Kodo design with responsive SkyActiv.

Highest ratedBest value
Toyota VitzNissan NoteMazda Demio
Mandai score
7/10
7.5/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 1,350,000
KSh 1,500,000
KSh 1,250,000
Years
2017-2020
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Compact Hatchbacks
–
Compact Hatchbacks
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Vitz 1.0 F / 1.3 F / 1.5 Hybrid F / Jewela
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
Demio 13S Touring
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed

Dimensions

Length
3,945 mm
4,100 mm
4,060 mm
Width
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,500 mm
1,520 mm
1,500 mm
Wheelbase
2,510 mm
2,600 mm
2,570 mm
Ground clearance
145 mm
150 mm
145 mm
Boot space
286 L (750 L folded)
340 L (1,000 L folded)
280 L
Kerb weight
970 kg (1,110 kg Hybrid)
1,220 kg
1,030 kg
Seats
5
5
5

Specifications

Engine
1.0L 1KR-FE / 1.3L 1NR-FKE / 1.5L 1NZ-FXE Hybrid
1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)
1.3L SkyActiv-G Inline-4
Power
69 hp (1.0L) / 99 hp (1.3L) / 100 hp combined (1.5L Hybrid)
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
93 hp
Torque
92 Nm (1.0L) / 121 Nm (1.3L) / 111 Nm (1.5L Hybrid)
280 Nm instant electric torque
123 Nm
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive / 4WD
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Front-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
11.5 sec (1.3L) / 12.0 sec (1.5L Hybrid) / 14.5 sec (1.0L)
7.9 sec
10.8 s
Top speed
170 km/h
150 km/h
180 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)
28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
22 km/L
City
17.5 km/L (1.0L) / 21.0 km/L (1.3L) / 30.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
30.0 km/L (e-Power) / 15.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
18 km/L
Highway
23.5 km/L (1.0L) / 28.0 km/L (1.3L) / 36.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
25 km/L
Tank size
42 L (Petrol) / 36 L (Hybrid)
41 L
44 L
CO₂ emissions
110 g/km (1.0L) / 82 g/km (Hybrid)
82 g/km
104 g/km

At a glance

Model
Toyota Vitz (XP130 Series 2nd Facelift)
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Mazda Demio / Mazda2
Production years
2017–2020
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Subcompact Hatchback
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
5-Door Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol, Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
Petrol, Clean Diesel
Engine sizes
996 cc (1.0L) / 1,329 cc (1.3L) / 1,496 cc (1.5L Hybrid)
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
1,298 cc, 1,496 cc
Transmission
Super CVT-i Automatic / e-CVT
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
6-speed Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD or 4WD
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
FWD / AWD
Ground clearance
145 mm
150 mm
145 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
Japan (RHD)

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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.
  • 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.
  • 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.