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Volkswagen GolfMazda Axela
Mandai score
8.5/10
8.5/10
Typical price
KSh 3,200,000
KSh 1,650,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
Fuel
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, Dual-clutch
Automatic
Doors
5
5
Most popular trim
Golf 1.4 TSI / Golf Alltrack / Golf GTD / Golf GTI
Axela 15S / 15XD L-Package
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
Dimensions
Length
4,258 mm (Hatchback) / 4,578 mm (Variant / Alltrack)
4,460 mm (Hatch) / 4,580 mm (Saloon)
Width
1,799 mm
1,795 mm
Height
1,492 mm (Alltrack: 1,515 mm)
1,440 mm
Wheelbase
2,637 mm
2,700 mm
Ground clearance
140 mm (Hatchback) / 175 mm (Alltrack)
145 mm
Boot space
380 L (Hatch) / 605 L (Variant / Alltrack)
358 L
Kerb weight
1,280 kg (Alltrack: 1,530 kg)
1,280 kg
Seats
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.4L TSI Petrol / 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel / 2.0L TSI Turbo GTI
1.5L Skyactiv-D Turbo Diesel (15XD)
Power
150 hp (1.4T) / 184 hp (2.0 TDI) / 245 hp (GTI)
105 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Torque
250 Nm (1.4T) / 380 Nm (2.0 TDI) / 370 Nm (GTI)
270 Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive / 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive / i-ACTIV AWD
0–100 km/h
6.2 sec (GTI) / 7.8 sec (2.0 TDI) / 8.2 sec (1.4T)
9.8 sec
Top speed
216 km/h – 250 km/h
188 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
18.2 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 21.5 km/L (2.0 TDI) / 14.5 km/L (GTI)
21.6 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 17.2 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
City
15.0 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 18.5 km/L (2.0 TDI) / 11.8 km/L (GTI)
18.0 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 14.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
Highway
21.0 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 24.0 km/L (2.0 TDI) / 17.2 km/L (GTI)
24.5 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 19.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
Tank size
50 L (Hatch) / 55 L (4MOTION)
51 L
CO₂ emissions
125 g/km (1.4T) / 119 g/km (2.0 TDI)
114 g/km
At a glance
Model
Volkswagen Golf / Variant / Alltrack (Mk7.5 & Mk8)
Mazda Axela / Mazda3 (BM / BP Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Hatchback / 5-Door Estate / Lifted Wagon
5-Door Hatchback / 4-Door Saloon
Seating capacity
5
5 seats
Fuel types
Petrol (TSI), Clean Diesel (TDI)
Petrol, Clean Diesel, Mild Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,197 cc (1.2T) / 1,395 cc (1.4T) / 1,968 cc (2.0L TDI) / 1,984 cc (2.0T GTI)
1,496 cc / 1,758 cc / 1,997 cc
Transmission
7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
6-speed Skyactiv-Drive Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD or 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive
FWD or i-ACTIV AWD
Ground clearance
140 mm (Hatchback) / 175 mm (Alltrack)
145 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- 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 duty advantage: 1.5L petrol and diesel models qualify for KRA's lowest excise tax bracket.
- High-torque 1.5L diesel engine: 15XD turbo diesel delivers 270 Nm torque while achieving 21.6 km/L fuel economy.
- Upscale cabin craftsmanship: Soft-touch interior materials, MZD Connect infotainment, and heads-up HUD display.
- Excellent high-speed stability: Rigid SkyActiv chassis and 2,700 mm wheelbase provide planted highway handling.
What’s not so good
- 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.
- 145 mm ground clearance: Requires cautious driving over tall estate speed bumps and ramps.
- Compact rear passenger headroom: Sloping roofline reduces rear headroom for tall adults over 6 feet.
- Costly i-Stop AGM battery replacement: Start-stop system requires specialized Q-85 (petrol) or S-95 (diesel) batteries.