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Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Volkswagen PoloToyota VitzNissan Note
Mandai score
8/10
7/10
7.5/10
Typical price
KSh 1,950,000
KSh 1,350,000
KSh 1,500,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2020
2017-2023
Body type
–
Compact Hatchbacks
–
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, Dual-clutch
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, CVT
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
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
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
20.8 km/L4.8 L/100km combined · about 874 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 1,091 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 10,912 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
3,945 mm
4,100 mm
Width
1,751 mm
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,461 mm
1,500 mm
1,520 mm
Wheelbase
2,551 mm
2,510 mm
2,600 mm
Ground clearance
145 mm
145 mm
150 mm
Boot space
351 L (1,125 L folded)
286 L (750 L folded)
340 L (1,000 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,145 kg
970 kg (1,110 kg Hybrid)
1,220 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
1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)
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)
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
Torque
175 Nm to 200 Nm (1.0T) / 320 Nm (GTI)
92 Nm (1.0L) / 121 Nm (1.3L) / 111 Nm (1.5L Hybrid)
280 Nm instant electric torque
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive / 4WD
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)
11.5 sec (1.3L) / 12.0 sec (1.5L Hybrid) / 14.5 sec (1.0L)
7.9 sec
Top speed
200 km/h (1.0T) / 237 km/h (GTI)
170 km/h
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)
20.8 km/L (1.0L) / 25.0 km/L (1.3L) / 34.4 km/L (1.5L Hybrid JC08)
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)
17.5 km/L (1.0L) / 21.0 km/L (1.3L) / 30.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
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)
23.5 km/L (1.0L) / 28.0 km/L (1.3L) / 36.0 km/L (1.5L Hybrid)
25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
Tank size
40 L
42 L (Petrol) / 36 L (Hybrid)
41 L
CO₂ emissions
108 g/km (1.0T)
110 g/km (1.0L) / 82 g/km (Hybrid)
82 g/km
At a glance
Model
Volkswagen Polo (Mk6 AW Series)
Toyota Vitz (XP130 Series 2nd Facelift)
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2020
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Subcompact European Hatchback
5-Door Subcompact Hatchback
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (TSI Turbo)
Petrol, Full Hybrid (THS-II)
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
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)
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
Transmission
7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
Super CVT-i Automatic / e-CVT
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
FWD or 4WD
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Ground clearance
145 mm
145 mm
150 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.