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Volkswagen PoloNissan Note
Mandai score
8/10
7.5/10
Typical price
KSh 1,950,000
KSh 1,500,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, Dual-clutch
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
Most popular trim
Polo 1.0 TSI Comfortline / Highline / R-Line / GTI
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Nissan Note e-Power
Fuel consumption
21.0 km/L4.8 L/100km combined · about 840 km a tank
28.0 km/L3.6 L/100km combined · about 1148 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,081 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 10,808 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 811 / 100 kmKSh 8 a km · KSh 8,106 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,053 mm
4,100 mm
Width
1,751 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,461 mm
1,520 mm
Wheelbase
2,551 mm
2,600 mm
Ground clearance
145 mm
150 mm
Boot space
351 L (1,125 L folded)
340 L (1,000 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,145 kg
1,220 kg
Seats
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.0L TSI Turbo 3-Cylinder / 2.0L TSI Turbo 4-Cylinder (GTI)
1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)
Power
95 hp to 115 hp (1.0T) / 200 hp (GTI)
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
Torque
175 Nm to 200 Nm (1.0T) / 320 Nm (GTI)
280 Nm instant electric torque
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
0–100 km/h
6.7 sec (GTI) / 9.5 sec (1.0T 115hp) / 10.8 sec (1.0T 95hp)
7.9 sec
Top speed
200 km/h (1.0T) / 237 km/h (GTI)
150 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
21.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 19.5 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 15.0 km/L (GTI)
28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
City
18.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 16.8 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 12.2 km/L (GTI)
30.0 km/L (e-Power) / 15.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
Highway
24.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 22.5 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 17.5 km/L (GTI)
25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
Tank size
40 L
41 L
CO₂ emissions
108 g/km (1.0T)
82 g/km
At a glance
Model
Volkswagen Polo (Mk6 AW Series)
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Subcompact European Hatchback
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
Seating capacity
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (TSI Turbo)
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
Engine sizes
999 cc (1.0L TSI) / 1,984 cc (2.0L TSI GTI)
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
Transmission
7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Ground clearance
145 mm
150 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
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.
- Instant 280 Nm electric torque: Smooth, rapid acceleration away from Nairobi traffic lights.
- Exceptional 28+ km/L fuel economy: Slashes monthly commuter fuel bills by over 50%.
- Generous rear knee room: Cavernous rear passenger space despite compact 4.1m length.
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.
- 150 mm ground clearance: Requires care over tall speed bumps when fully loaded.
- Engine generator sound under heavy hill climbs: 1.2L engine revs up to charge battery during steep ascents.