Compare cars

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

Volkswagen Polo

Compact daily platform balancing European build tech and agile driving with sub-1,000 cc duty savings and 21.0 km/L TSI fuel economy.

Highest ratedBest value

Audi A1

Compact German luxury supermini featuring bold Sportback styling, Virtual Cockpit technology, and sub-1,500 cc duty savings.

Peugeot 208

Stylish European hatchback featuring 3D i-Cockpit technology, feline LED lighting, and sub-1,200 cc duty savings.

Volkswagen PoloAudi A1Peugeot 208
Mandai score
8/10
7.5/10
7.5/10
Typical price
KSh 1,950,000
KSh 22,000,003,800,000
KSh 2,050,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, Dual-clutch
Automatic
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Polo 1.0 TSI Comfortline / Highline / R-Line / GTI
A1 Sportback 25 TFSI / 30 TFSI S Line
208 Allure / GT Line / GT 1.2 PureTech
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed

Dimensions

Length
4,053 mm
4,029 mm
4,055 mm
Width
1,751 mm
1,740 mm
1,745 mm
Height
1,461 mm
1,409 mm
1,430 mm
Wheelbase
2,551 mm
2,563 mm
2,540 mm
Ground clearance
145 mm
135 mm
150 mm
Boot space
351 L (1,125 L folded)
335 L
311 L (1,106 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,145 kg
1,165 kg
1,090 kg
Seats
5
5
5

Specifications

Engine
1.0L TSI Turbo 3-Cylinder / 2.0L TSI Turbo 4-Cylinder (GTI)
1.0L TFSI 3-Cylinder Turbo (30 TFSI)
1.2L PureTech 130 Turbo 3-Cylinder Petrol
Power
95 hp to 115 hp (1.0T) / 200 hp (GTI)
116 hp @ 5,000 rpm
130 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque
175 Nm to 200 Nm (1.0T) / 320 Nm (GTI)
200 Nm @ 2,000–3,500 rpm
230 Nm @ 1,750 rpm
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
6.7 sec (GTI) / 9.5 sec (1.0T 115hp) / 10.8 sec (1.0T 95hp)
9.4 sec
8.7 sec
Top speed
200 km/h (1.0T) / 237 km/h (GTI)
203 km/h
208 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined
21.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 19.5 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 15.0 km/L (GTI)
19.5 km/L (1.0T) / 17.5 km/L (1.5T)
18.5 km/L (130 hp) / 21.0 km/L (100 hp)
City
18.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 16.8 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 12.2 km/L (GTI)
16.5 km/L (1.0T) / 14.5 km/L (1.5T)
15.2 km/L
Highway
24.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 22.5 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 17.5 km/L (GTI)
22.0 km/L (1.0T) / 20.0 km/L (1.5T)
22.5 km/L
Tank size
40 L
40 L
44 L
CO₂ emissions
108 g/km (1.0T)
112 g/km
103 g/km

At a glance

Model
Volkswagen Polo (Mk6 AW Series)
Audi A1 Sportback (GB Series)
Peugeot 208 (A9 / P21 Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Subcompact European Hatchback
5-Door Compact Luxury Hatchback
Hatchbacks
Seating capacity
5
5 seats
5
Fuel types
Petrol (TSI Turbo)
Petrol (TFSI)
Petrol (PureTech), Diesel (BlueHDi)
Engine sizes
999 cc (1.0L TSI) / 1,984 cc (2.0L TSI GTI)
999 cc / 1,395 cc / 1,498 cc / 1,984 cc
1,199 cc (1.2L PureTech Turbo / NA)
Transmission
7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
7-speed S tronic Dual-Clutch Automatic
Automatic (EAT6 / EAT8)
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Front-Wheel Drive
Ground clearance
145 mm
135 mm
150 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan / UK (RHD)
UK / Japan (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good
  • Lowest KRA import duty bracket: 999 cc TSI engine sits in KRA's lowest customs tax valuation category.
  • High-speed European stability: MQB chassis provides unshakeable highway composure at 120 km/L.
  • Punchy 200 Nm 1.0T torque: Turbocharged low-end torque makes city overtaking responsive and effortless.
  • Generous 351 L boot capacity: Class-leading trunk space for a subcompact hatchback.
  • Lowest customs duty bracket: 1.0L engine qualifies for Kenya's lowest customs tax valuation category.
  • Premium Virtual Cockpit display: 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with MMI touch screen.
  • Excellent 19.5+ km/L fuel economy: Low operating costs for daily urban commuting.
  • Effortless city parking: Compact 4.02-meter length makes Nairobi CBD parking stress-free.
  • Futuristic 3D i-Cockpit: Holographic instrument cluster and compact sport steering wheel.
  • Smooth Aisin 8-speed automatic: Real torque-converter gearbox avoids CVT rubber-band feel.
  • Sub-1,200 cc tax advantage: Low KRA customs valuation keeps import duty minimal.
What’s not so good
  • Low 145 mm ground clearance: Requires care when navigating high urban speed bumps.
  • Requires quality synthetic VW 504 00 oils: DSG transmission requires fluid maintenance every 60,000 km.
  • 135 mm ground clearance: Requires care over steep estate speed bumps.
  • S tronic dual-clutch sensitivity: Demands proper transmission maintenance in heavy traffic.
  • 150 mm ground clearance: Mind steep speed bumps when fully loaded.
  • Wet timing belt inspection: Requires Total Quartz Ineo 0W-20 oil to preserve wet timing belt.
Compare cars | Mandai