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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.

Mazda Demio

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

Best value

Audi A1

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

Volkswagen PoloMazda DemioAudi A1
Mandai score
8/10
8/10
7.5/10
Typical price
KSh 1,950,000
KSh 1,250,000
KSh 22,000,003,800,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
–
Compact Hatchbacks
–
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol
Transmission
Automatic, Dual-clutch
Automatic
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Polo 1.0 TSI Comfortline / Highline / R-Line / GTI
Demio 13S Touring
A1 Sportback 25 TFSI / 30 TFSI S Line
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed

Dimensions

Length
4,053 mm
4,060 mm
4,029 mm
Width
1,751 mm
1,695 mm
1,740 mm
Height
1,461 mm
1,500 mm
1,409 mm
Wheelbase
2,551 mm
2,570 mm
2,563 mm
Ground clearance
145 mm
145 mm
135 mm
Boot space
351 L (1,125 L folded)
280 L
335 L
Kerb weight
1,145 kg
1,030 kg
1,165 kg
Seats
5
5
5

Specifications

Engine
1.0L TSI Turbo 3-Cylinder / 2.0L TSI Turbo 4-Cylinder (GTI)
1.3L SkyActiv-G Inline-4
1.0L TFSI 3-Cylinder Turbo (30 TFSI)
Power
95 hp to 115 hp (1.0T) / 200 hp (GTI)
93 hp
116 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque
175 Nm to 200 Nm (1.0T) / 320 Nm (GTI)
123 Nm
200 Nm @ 2,000–3,500 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)
10.8 s
9.4 sec
Top speed
200 km/h (1.0T) / 237 km/h (GTI)
180 km/h
203 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
19.5 km/L (1.0T) / 17.5 km/L (1.5T)
City
18.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 16.8 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 12.2 km/L (GTI)
18 km/L
16.5 km/L (1.0T) / 14.5 km/L (1.5T)
Highway
24.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 22.5 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 17.5 km/L (GTI)
25 km/L
22.0 km/L (1.0T) / 20.0 km/L (1.5T)
Tank size
40 L
44 L
40 L
CO₂ emissions
108 g/km (1.0T)
104 g/km
112 g/km

At a glance

Model
Volkswagen Polo (Mk6 AW Series)
Mazda Demio / Mazda2
Audi A1 Sportback (GB Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Subcompact European Hatchback
5-Door Hatchback
5-Door Compact Luxury Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5
5 seats
Fuel types
Petrol (TSI Turbo)
Petrol, Clean Diesel
Petrol (TFSI)
Engine sizes
999 cc (1.0L TSI) / 1,984 cc (2.0L TSI GTI)
1,298 cc, 1,496 cc
999 cc / 1,395 cc / 1,498 cc / 1,984 cc
Transmission
7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
6-speed Automatic
7-speed S tronic Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD / AWD
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Ground clearance
145 mm
145 mm
135 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD)
Japan / UK (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.
  • 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.
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.
  • 135 mm ground clearance: Requires care over steep estate speed bumps.
  • S tronic dual-clutch sensitivity: Demands proper transmission maintenance in heavy traffic.
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