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Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.

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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.

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Toyota Vitz

The gold standard subcompact daily city fuel saver with 20.0+ km/L efficiency, Magic interior flexibility, and sub-1,000 cc duty savings.

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Mazda Demio

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

Best value
Volkswagen PoloToyota VitzMazda Demio
Mandai score
8/10
7/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 1,950,000
KSh 1,350,000
KSh 1,250,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2020
2017-2023
Body type
–
Compact Hatchbacks
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
Vitz 1.0 F / 1.3 F / 1.5 Hybrid F / Jewela
Demio 13S Touring
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed

Fuel and running cost

Trim
Fuel consumption
21.0 km/L4.8 L/100km combined · about 840 km a tank
20.8 km/L4.8 L/100km combined · about 874 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 1,091 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 10,912 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
3,945 mm
4,060 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
2,510 mm
2,570 mm
Ground clearance
145 mm
145 mm
145 mm
Boot space
351 L (1,125 L folded)
286 L (750 L folded)
280 L
Kerb weight
1,145 kg
970 kg (1,110 kg Hybrid)
1,030 kg
Seats
5
5
5

Specifications

Engine
1.0L TSI Turbo 3-Cylinder / 2.0L TSI Turbo 4-Cylinder (GTI)
1.0L 1KR-FE / 1.3L 1NR-FKE / 1.5L 1NZ-FXE Hybrid
1.3L SkyActiv-G Inline-4
Power
95 hp to 115 hp (1.0T) / 200 hp (GTI)
69 hp (1.0L) / 99 hp (1.3L) / 100 hp combined (1.5L Hybrid)
93 hp
Torque
175 Nm to 200 Nm (1.0T) / 320 Nm (GTI)
92 Nm (1.0L) / 121 Nm (1.3L) / 111 Nm (1.5L Hybrid)
123 Nm
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive / 4WD
Front-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
6.7 sec (GTI) / 9.5 sec (1.0T 115hp) / 10.8 sec (1.0T 95hp)
11.5 sec (1.3L) / 12.0 sec (1.5L Hybrid) / 14.5 sec (1.0L)
10.8 s
Top speed
200 km/h (1.0T) / 237 km/h (GTI)
170 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)
20.8 km/L (1.0L) / 25.0 km/L (1.3L) / 34.4 km/L (1.5L Hybrid JC08)
22 km/L
City
18.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 16.8 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 12.2 km/L (GTI)
17.5 km/L (1.0L) / 21.0 km/L (1.3L) / 30.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
18 km/L
Highway
24.0 km/L (1.0T 95hp) / 22.5 km/L (1.0T 115hp) / 17.5 km/L (GTI)
23.5 km/L (1.0L) / 28.0 km/L (1.3L) / 36.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
25 km/L
Tank size
40 L
42 L (Petrol) / 36 L (Hybrid)
44 L
CO₂ emissions
108 g/km (1.0T)
110 g/km (1.0L) / 82 g/km (Hybrid)
104 g/km

At a glance

Model
Volkswagen Polo (Mk6 AW Series)
Toyota Vitz (XP130 Series 2nd Facelift)
Mazda Demio / Mazda2
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2020
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Subcompact European Hatchback
5-Door Subcompact Hatchback
5-Door Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (TSI Turbo)
Petrol, Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Petrol, Clean Diesel
Engine sizes
999 cc (1.0L TSI) / 1,984 cc (2.0L TSI GTI)
996 cc (1.0L) / 1,329 cc (1.3L) / 1,496 cc (1.5L Hybrid)
1,298 cc, 1,496 cc
Transmission
7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
Super CVT-i Automatic / e-CVT
6-speed Automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD or 4WD
FWD / AWD
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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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