Compare cars

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

BMW X3

Versatile premium compact SUV combining intelligent xDrive AWD, 204 mm ground clearance, 16.2 km/L diesel efficiency, and sub-2,000 cc duty savings.

Subaru Forester

The ultimate balance of 220 mm ground clearance, Symmetrical AWD, EyeSight driver assist, and sub-2,500 cc duty savings.

Mercedes-Benz GLC250

Compact luxury crossover with 211 hp turbo power and 4MATIC AWD.

Best value

BMW X3Subaru ForesterMercedes-Benz GLC250

Mandai score

8/10

7/10

8/10

Typical price

KSh 4,900,000

KSh 4,200,000

KSh 4,800,000

Years

2017-2023

2018-2023

2017-2023

Body type

Mid-size SUV

Fuel

Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid

Petrol, Hybrid

Petrol

Transmission

Automatic

Automatic, CVT

Automatic

Doors

Fuel and running cost

Trim

Subaru Forester 2.5L / 1.8T / 2.0L e-Boxer

Fuel consumption

16.2 km/L6.2 L/100km combined · about 1102 km a tank

17.0 km/L5.9 L/100km combined · about 1071 km a tank

13.5 km/L7.4 L/100km combined · about 891 km a tank

Running cost

KSh 1,406 / 100 kmKSh 14 a km · KSh 14,059 for 1,000 km · diesel

KSh 1,335 / 100 kmKSh 13 a km · KSh 13,351 for 1,000 km · petrol

KSh 1,681 / 100 kmKSh 17 a km · KSh 16,812 for 1,000 km · petrol

Dimensions

Length

4,708 mm

4,625 mm

4,656 mm

Width

1,891 mm

1,815 mm

1,890 mm

Height

1,676 mm

1,730 mm

1,644 mm

Wheelbase

2,864 mm

2,670 mm

2,873 mm

Ground clearance

204 mm

220 mm

180 mm

Boot space

550 L (1,600 L folded; 450 L on xDrive30e PHEV)

520 L (1,775 L folded)

550 L (1,600 L with seats folded)

Kerb weight

1,750 kg (xDrive20d) / 1,990 kg (xDrive30e PHEV)

1,570 kg

1,735 kg

Seats

Specifications

Engine

2.0L B47 Turbo Diesel / 2.0L B48 Turbo Petrol / 3.0L B58 Turbo Inline-6

2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo

2.0L M274 Turbocharged Inline-4

Power

190 hp (20d) / 252 hp (30i) / 292 hp combined (30e PHEV) / 382 hp (M40i)

182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)

211 hp @ 5,500 rpm

Torque

400 Nm (20d) / 350 Nm (30i) / 420 Nm (30e PHEV) / 500 Nm (M40i)

239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)

350 Nm @ 1,200–4,000 rpm

Drivetrain

Intelligent xDrive AWD

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)

4MATIC Permanent AWD

0–100 km/h

8.0 sec (20d) / 6.3 sec (30i) / 6.1 sec (30e PHEV) / 4.5 sec (M40i)

8.2 sec

7.3 sec

Top speed

213 km/h – 250 km/h

204 km/h

222 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined

16.2 km/L (xDrive20d) / 12.8 km/L (xDrive30i) / 41.0 km/L equiv. (xDrive30e) / 10.8 km/L (M40i)

14.2 km/L (2.5L) / 15.2 km/L (1.8T) / 17.0 km/L (e-Boxer)

13.5 km/L

City

13.8 km/L (xDrive20d) / 10.2 km/L (xDrive30i) / 45 km EV range (xDrive30e) / 8.5 km/L (M40i)

11.8 km/L (2.5L) / 12.5 km/L (1.8T) / 15.0 km/L (e-Boxer)

11.0 km/L

Highway

18.5 km/L (xDrive20d) / 15.0 km/L (xDrive30i) / 16.5 km/L hybrid mode (xDrive30e) / 12.8 km/L (M40i)

16.8 km/L (2.5L) / 18.0 km/L (1.8T) / 18.5 km/L (e-Boxer)

16.0 km/L

Tank size

68 L (50 L xDrive30e PHEV)

63 L

66 L

CO₂ emissions

138 g/km (20d) / 49 g/km (30e PHEV)

152 g/km

At a glance

Model

BMW X3 (G01 Series)

Subaru Forester (SK Series)

Mercedes-Benz GLC250 4MATIC (X253 Series)

Production years

2017–2023

2018–2023

2017–2023

Body type

5-Door Premium Compact Crossover

SUV / Crossovers

5-Door Executive Compact SUV

Seating capacity

Fuel types

Clean Diesel, Petrol, Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)

Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid

Petrol (Turbocharged Direct Injection)

Engine sizes

1,995 cc (2.0D) / 1,998 cc (2.0T / 2.0T PHEV) / 2,998 cc (3.0T M40i)

1,795 cc (1.8T CB18) / 1,995 cc (2.0L e-Boxer) / 2,498 cc (2.5L FB25)

1,991 cc

Transmission

8-Speed Steptronic Automatic

Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)

9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic

Drivetrain

Intelligent xDrive AWD

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)

4MATIC Permanent All-Wheel Drive

Ground clearance

204 mm

220 mm

180 mm

Source market

UK / Japan / South Africa (RHD)

Japan / UK (RHD)

Japan (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good

Sub-2,000 cc KRA tax advantage: 2.0L diesel (20d), 2.0L petrol (30i), and 2.0L PHEV (30e) all qualify for KRA's 25% excise tax rate.
204 mm ground clearance: Confidently negotiates estate speed bumps, potholes, and unpaved upcountry roads.
Practical 550 L boot space: Generous cargo capacity expanding to 1,600 L with 40:20:40 split rear seats.
16.2 km/L xDrive20d fuel efficiency: Ideal for long-distance highway travel (e.g. Nairobi to Mombasa or Kisumu).

Class-leading 220 mm ground clearance: Conquers deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and rough upcountry tracks.
Symmetrical AWD with Dual X-Mode: Exceptional mud, snow, and deep gravel traction.
Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: All 1.8T, 2.0L, and 2.5L engines qualify for 25% excise tax rate.

Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: 2.0L engine qualifies for 25% excise tax bracket, saving huge customs duties.
Refined 9G-TRONIC transmission: 9 gear ratios deliver smooth acceleration and quiet 1,400 rpm highway cruising.
Prestige cabin craftsmanship: Artico leather upholstery, Burmester surround audio, and MBUX infotainment.

What’s not so good

Firm ride on 20-inch M Sport alloys over rough corrugated gravel tracks.
Reduced boot floor height on xDrive30e PHEV (450 L) due to rear high-voltage battery placement.

Lineartronic CVT response: CVT engine revs during heavy highway mountain passes.
EyeSight windshield camera care: Requires specialized recalibration if windscreen is replaced.

Firmer ride on 19/20-inch AMG rims: AMG Line low-profile tires transmit road firmness over unpaved estate roads.
Specialized Mercedes maintenance: Demands MB 229.5 spec synthetic oil and specialized Star Diagnostic scanners.