Compare cars

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

Volvo V40

Premium minimalist Swedish hatchback balancing safety layouts, Thor's Hammer LED headlights, and sub-1,500 cc to sub-2,000 cc duty savings.

Best value

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Premium hatchback and sedan variations with sharp dual-screen MBUX digital layouts.

Audi A3

Premium German compact saloon and hatchback blending Virtual Cockpit refinement, responsive TFSI performance, and sub-1,500 cc duty savings.

Volvo V40Mercedes-Benz A-ClassAudi A3
Mandai score
7.5/10
8/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 2,600,000
KSh 3,300,000
KSh 28,000,004,500,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Compact Hatchbacks
–
–
Fuel
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic, Dual-clutch
Automatic
Doors
5
54
5
Most popular trim
V40 T3 / T4 R-Design / D2 / D4 Cross Country
A180 / A200 AMG Line / A250e PHEV
A3 1.4 TFSI / 30 TFSI S Line
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed

Dimensions

Length
4,370 mm
4,419 mm (Hatch) / 4,549 mm (Saloon)
4,343 mm (Sportback) / 4,495 mm (Saloon)
Width
1,802 mm
1,796 mm
1,816 mm
Height
1,445 mm (Cross Country: 1,458 mm)
1,440 mm
1,430 mm
Wheelbase
2,647 mm
2,729 mm
2,636 mm
Ground clearance
144 mm (156 mm Cross Country)
140 mm
140 mm
Boot space
335 L (1,032 L folded)
370 L (Hatch) / 405 L (Saloon)
380 L (Sportback) / 425 L (Saloon)
Kerb weight
1,360 kg (1,420 kg D4)
1,365 kg
1,280 kg
Seats
5
5
5

Specifications

Engine
1.5L B4154T T3 Turbo Petrol / 2.0L D4204T D4 Clean Diesel
1.33L M282 Turbo Petrol / 2.0L M260
1.4L TFSI Turbo Petrol (30 TFSI)
Power
152 hp (1.5L T3) / 190 hp (2.0L D4 Diesel)
163 hp (A200) / 224 hp (A250)
150 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque
250 Nm (1.5L T3) / 400 Nm (2.0L D4 Diesel)
250 Nm (A200) / 350 Nm (A250)
250 Nm @ 1,500–3,500 rpm
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive / All-Wheel Drive
FWD or 4MATIC AWD
Front-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
8.3 sec (1.5T T3) / 7.2 sec (2.0L D4)
6.2 sec (A250) – 8.0 sec (A200)
8.2 sec
Top speed
210 km/h
225 km/h
224 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined
18.2 km/L (1.5L T3) / 23.5 km/L (2.0L D4 Clean Diesel)
17.5 km/L (A200) / 15.0 km/L (A250)
17.5 km/L (1.4T) / 18.5 km/L (1.5T MHEV)
City
15.0 km/L (1.5L T3) / 20.5 km/L (2.0L D4 Clean Diesel)
14.2 km/L (A200) / 12.0 km/L (A250)
14.5 km/L (1.4T) / 15.5 km/L (1.5T MHEV)
Highway
21.0 km/L (1.5L T3) / 26.0 km/L (2.0L D4 Clean Diesel)
20.5 km/L (A200) / 18.0 km/L (A250)
20.5 km/L (1.4T) / 21.5 km/L (1.5T MHEV)
Tank size
62 L
43 L
50 L
CO₂ emissions
127 g/km (T3) / 99 g/km (D4)
133 g/km
119 g/km

At a glance

Model
Volvo V40 & V40 Cross Country
Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W177 / V177 Series)
Audi A3 (8V Facelift / 8Y Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Premium Compact Hatchback / Lifted Wagon
5-Door Hatchback / 4-Door Saloon
5-Door Sportback / 4-Door Saloon
Seating capacity
5
5
5 seats
Fuel types
Petrol (Drive-E), Clean Diesel (D4)
Petrol, Diesel, PHEV
Petrol (TFSI), Mild Hybrid (MHEV)
Engine sizes
1,498 cc (1.5L T3) / 1,969 cc (2.0L T4 / D2 / D4)
1,332 cc (A180/A200) / 1,991 cc (A250)
1,395 cc / 1,498 cc / 1,984 cc
Transmission
6/8-Speed Geartronic Automatic
7-Speed / 8-Speed DCT Automatic
7-speed S tronic Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD or AWD (Cross Country)
FWD or 4MATIC AWD
FWD or Quattro AWD
Ground clearance
144 mm (Standard) / 156 mm (Cross Country)
140 mm
140 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan / UK (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good
  • Pioneering Scandinavian safety suite: City Safety auto-braking, blind spot BLIS, and pedestrian protection.
  • Sub-1,500 cc duty advantage on 1.5L T3: Qualifies for KRA's lower customs tax valuation tier.
  • 23.5 km/L D4 clean diesel efficiency: 400 Nm torque delivers sports-hatch acceleration with low fuel costs.
  • Thor's Hammer LED headlights & floating console: Distinctive interior and exterior styling.
  • Sub-1,500 cc import duty tax advantage on 1.33L models.
  • Stunning dual 10.25-inch MBUX digital cockpit.
  • Sharp AMG Line exterior styling.
  • Sub-1,500 cc customs tax advantage: 1.4L and 1.5L engines qualify for lowest KRA tax bracket.
  • Premium Virtual Cockpit interior: 12.3-inch digital display with MMI touch navigation.
  • Excellent 17.5+ km/L fuel economy: Frugal turbo petrol technology with Cylinder on Demand.
  • Elegant Saloon & Sportback options: High executive style and strong local market demand.
What’s not so good
  • Compact 335 L boot space: Smaller cargo capacity than a Volkswagen Golf or Mazda Axela.
  • Low 144 mm ground clearance on standard hatch: V40 Cross Country (156 mm) recommended for rough estate roads.
  • 140 mm ground clearance requires care over tall speed bumps.
  • Firm ride on 18-inch AMG alloy wheels.
  • 140 mm ground clearance: Requires cautious driving over tall estate speed bumps.
  • S tronic dual-clutch maintenance: Demands regular transmission fluid changes every 60,000 km.