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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.
Highest ratedBest value
Volkswagen PoloPeugeot 208
Mandai score
8/10
7.5/10
Typical price
KSh 1,950,000
KSh 2,050,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, Dual-clutch
Automatic
Doors
5
5
Most popular trim
Polo 1.0 TSI Comfortline / Highline / R-Line / GTI
208 Allure / GT Line / GT 1.2 PureTech
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Peugeot 208 1.2L PureTech
Fuel consumption
21.0 km/L4.8 L/100km combined · about 840 km a tank
18.5 km/L5.4 L/100km combined · about 814 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,081 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 10,808 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,227 / 100 kmKSh 12 a km · KSh 12,268 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,053 mm
4,055 mm
Width
1,751 mm
1,745 mm
Height
1,461 mm
1,430 mm
Wheelbase
2,551 mm
2,540 mm
Ground clearance
145 mm
150 mm
Boot space
351 L (1,125 L folded)
311 L (1,106 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,145 kg
1,090 kg
Seats
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.0L TSI Turbo 3-Cylinder / 2.0L TSI Turbo 4-Cylinder (GTI)
1.2L PureTech 130 Turbo 3-Cylinder Petrol
Power
95 hp to 115 hp (1.0T) / 200 hp (GTI)
130 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque
175 Nm to 200 Nm (1.0T) / 320 Nm (GTI)
230 Nm @ 1,750 rpm
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)
8.7 sec
Top speed
200 km/h (1.0T) / 237 km/h (GTI)
208 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
21.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 19.5 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 15.0 km/L (GTI)
18.5 km/L (130 hp) / 21.0 km/L (100 hp)
City
18.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 16.8 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 12.2 km/L (GTI)
15.2 km/L
Highway
24.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 22.5 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 17.5 km/L (GTI)
22.5 km/L
Tank size
40 L
44 L
CO₂ emissions
108 g/km (1.0T)
103 g/km
At a glance
Model
Volkswagen Polo (Mk6 AW Series)
Peugeot 208 (A9 / P21 Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Subcompact European Hatchback
Hatchbacks
Seating capacity
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (TSI Turbo)
Petrol (PureTech), Diesel (BlueHDi)
Engine sizes
999 cc (1.0L TSI) / 1,984 cc (2.0L TSI GTI)
1,199 cc (1.2L PureTech Turbo / NA)
Transmission
7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
Automatic (EAT6 / EAT8)
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Ground clearance
145 mm
150 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
UK / 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.
- Futuristic 3D i-Cockpit: Holographic instrument cluster and compact sport steering wheel.
- Smooth Aisin 8-speed automatic: Real torque-converter gearbox avoids CVT rubber-band feel.
- Sub-1,200 cc tax advantage: Low KRA customs valuation keeps import duty minimal.
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: Mind steep speed bumps when fully loaded.
- Wet timing belt inspection: Requires Total Quartz Ineo 0W-20 oil to preserve wet timing belt.