Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Volkswagen PoloMazda DemioToyota Vitz
Mandai score
8/10
8/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 1,950,000
KSh 1,250,000
KSh 1,350,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2020
Body type
–
Compact Hatchbacks
Compact Hatchbacks
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, Dual-clutch
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Polo 1.0 TSI Comfortline / Highline / R-Line / GTI
Demio 13S Touring
Vitz 1.0 F / 1.3 F / 1.5 Hybrid F / Jewela
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Dimensions
Length
4,053 mm
4,060 mm
3,945 mm
Width
1,751 mm
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,461 mm
1,500 mm
1,500 mm
Wheelbase
2,551 mm
2,570 mm
2,510 mm
Ground clearance
145 mm
145 mm
145 mm
Boot space
351 L (1,125 L folded)
280 L
286 L (750 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,145 kg
1,030 kg
970 kg (1,110 kg Hybrid)
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 1KR-FE / 1.3L 1NR-FKE / 1.5L 1NZ-FXE Hybrid
Power
95 hp to 115 hp (1.0T) / 200 hp (GTI)
93 hp
69 hp (1.0L) / 99 hp (1.3L) / 100 hp combined (1.5L Hybrid)
Torque
175 Nm to 200 Nm (1.0T) / 320 Nm (GTI)
123 Nm
92 Nm (1.0L) / 121 Nm (1.3L) / 111 Nm (1.5L Hybrid)
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive / 4WD
0–100 km/h
6.7 sec (GTI) / 9.5 sec (1.0T 115hp) / 10.8 sec (1.0T 95hp)
10.8 s
11.5 sec (1.3L) / 12.0 sec (1.5L Hybrid) / 14.5 sec (1.0L)
Top speed
200 km/h (1.0T) / 237 km/h (GTI)
180 km/h
170 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
20.8 km/L (1.0L) / 25.0 km/L (1.3L) / 34.4 km/L (1.5L Hybrid JC08)
City
18.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 16.8 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 12.2 km/L (GTI)
18 km/L
17.5 km/L (1.0L) / 21.0 km/L (1.3L) / 30.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
Highway
24.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 22.5 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 17.5 km/L (GTI)
25 km/L
23.5 km/L (1.0L) / 28.0 km/L (1.3L) / 36.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
Tank size
40 L
44 L
42 L (Petrol) / 36 L (Hybrid)
CO₂ emissions
108 g/km (1.0T)
104 g/km
110 g/km (1.0L) / 82 g/km (Hybrid)
At a glance
Model
Volkswagen Polo (Mk6 AW Series)
Mazda Demio / Mazda2
Toyota Vitz (XP130 Series 2nd Facelift)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2020
Body type
5-Door Subcompact European Hatchback
5-Door Hatchback
5-Door Subcompact Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (TSI Turbo)
Petrol, Clean Diesel
Petrol, Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Engine sizes
999 cc (1.0L TSI) / 1,984 cc (2.0L TSI GTI)
1,298 cc, 1,496 cc
996 cc (1.0L) / 1,329 cc (1.3L) / 1,496 cc (1.5L Hybrid)
Transmission
7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
6-speed Automatic
Super CVT-i Automatic / e-CVT
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD / AWD
FWD or 4WD
Ground clearance
145 mm
145 mm
145 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.