Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Volkswagen PoloNissan NoteMazda Demio
Mandai score
8/10
7.5/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 1,950,000
KSh 1,500,000
KSh 1,250,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
–
–
Compact Hatchbacks
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, Dual-clutch
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Polo 1.0 TSI Comfortline / Highline / R-Line / GTI
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
Demio 13S Touring
Dealer listings
None listed
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
20.5 km/L4.9 L/100km combined · about 902 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
KSh 1,107 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 11,071 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,053 mm
4,100 mm
4,060 mm
Width
1,751 mm
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,461 mm
1,520 mm
1,500 mm
Wheelbase
2,551 mm
2,600 mm
2,570 mm
Ground clearance
145 mm
150 mm
145 mm
Boot space
351 L (1,125 L folded)
340 L (1,000 L folded)
280 L
Kerb weight
1,145 kg
1,220 kg
1,030 kg
Seats
5
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)
1.3L SkyActiv-G Inline-4
Power
95 hp to 115 hp (1.0T) / 200 hp (GTI)
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
93 hp
Torque
175 Nm to 200 Nm (1.0T) / 320 Nm (GTI)
280 Nm instant electric torque
123 Nm
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Front-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
6.7 sec (GTI) / 9.5 sec (1.0T 115hp) / 10.8 sec (1.0T 95hp)
7.9 sec
10.8 s
Top speed
200 km/h (1.0T) / 237 km/h (GTI)
150 km/h
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)
28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
22 km/L
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)
18 km/L
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)
25 km/L
Tank size
40 L
41 L
44 L
CO₂ emissions
108 g/km (1.0T)
82 g/km
104 g/km
At a glance
Model
Volkswagen Polo (Mk6 AW Series)
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Mazda Demio / Mazda2
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Subcompact European Hatchback
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
5-Door Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (TSI Turbo)
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
Petrol, Clean Diesel
Engine sizes
999 cc (1.0L TSI) / 1,984 cc (2.0L TSI GTI)
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
1,298 cc, 1,496 cc
Transmission
7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
6-speed Automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
FWD / AWD
Ground clearance
145 mm
150 mm
145 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.