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Volkswagen PoloMazda Demio
Mandai score
8/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 1,950,000
KSh 1,250,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
–
Compact Hatchbacks
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, Dual-clutch
Automatic
Doors
5
5
Most popular trim
Polo 1.0 TSI Comfortline / Highline / R-Line / GTI
Demio 13S Touring
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
Dimensions
Length
4,053 mm
4,060 mm
Width
1,751 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,461 mm
1,500 mm
Wheelbase
2,551 mm
2,570 mm
Ground clearance
145 mm
145 mm
Boot space
351 L (1,125 L folded)
280 L
Kerb weight
1,145 kg
1,030 kg
Seats
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.0L TSI Turbo 3-Cylinder / 2.0L TSI Turbo 4-Cylinder (GTI)
1.3L SkyActiv-G Inline-4
Power
95 hp to 115 hp (1.0T) / 200 hp (GTI)
93 hp
Torque
175 Nm to 200 Nm (1.0T) / 320 Nm (GTI)
123 Nm
Drivetrain
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)
10.8 s
Top speed
200 km/h (1.0T) / 237 km/h (GTI)
180 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
21.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 19.5 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 15.0 km/L (GTI)
22 km/L
City
18.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 16.8 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 12.2 km/L (GTI)
18 km/L
Highway
24.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 22.5 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 17.5 km/L (GTI)
25 km/L
Tank size
40 L
44 L
CO₂ emissions
108 g/km (1.0T)
104 g/km
At a glance
Model
Volkswagen Polo (Mk6 AW Series)
Mazda Demio / Mazda2
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Subcompact European Hatchback
5-Door Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (TSI Turbo)
Petrol, Clean Diesel
Engine sizes
999 cc (1.0L TSI) / 1,984 cc (2.0L TSI GTI)
1,298 cc, 1,496 cc
Transmission
7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
6-speed Automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD / AWD
Ground clearance
145 mm
145 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.