Compare cars

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

Honda CR-V

Premium 5 or 7 seater family SUV with 1.5L VTEC Turbo, bulletproof NA i-VTEC longevity, and 21.0 km/L e:HEV hybrid torque.

Highest ratedBest value

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.

Honda CR-VBMW X3Subaru Forester

Mandai score

9/10

8/10

7/10

Typical price

KSh 4,500,000

KSh 4,900,000

KSh 4,200,000

Years

2017-2023

2018-2023

Body type

–

Mid-size SUV

Fuel

Petrol, Hybrid

Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid

Petrol, Hybrid

Transmission

Automatic, CVT

Automatic

Automatic, CVT

Doors

Fuel and running cost

Trim

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

Fuel consumption

14.5 km/L6.9 L/100km combined · about 827 km a tank

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

Running cost

KSh 1,565 / 100 kmKSh 16 a km · KSh 15,652 for 1,000 km · petrol

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

Dimensions

Length

4,605 mm

4,708 mm

4,625 mm

Width

1,855 mm

1,891 mm

1,815 mm

Height

1,680 mm

1,676 mm

1,730 mm

Wheelbase

2,660 mm

2,864 mm

2,670 mm

Ground clearance

208 mm

204 mm

220 mm

Boot space

561 L (5-seater) / 150 L (7-seater expanded to 967 L)

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

520 L (1,775 L folded)

Kerb weight

1,580 kg

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

1,570 kg

Seats

5 or 7

Specifications

Engine

1.5L VTEC Turbo / 2.0L-2.4L NA i-VTEC / 2.0L e:HEV Hybrid

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

Power

184 hp to 190 hp (Variant dependent)

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)

Torque

175 Nm to 315 Nm (Electric motor combined 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)

Drivetrain

Real Time AWD / FWD

Intelligent xDrive AWD

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)

0–100 km/h

8.8 sec (1.5T) / 8.6 sec (e:HEV)

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

8.2 sec

Top speed

200 km/h

213 km/h – 250 km/h

204 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined

14.5 km/L (1.5T) / 13.0 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 21.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)

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)

City

12.0 km/L (1.5T) / 10.5 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 20.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)

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)

Highway

16.8 km/L (1.5T) / 15.5 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 22.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)

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)

Tank size

57 L

68 L (50 L xDrive30e PHEV)

63 L

CO₂ emissions

143 g/km (1.5T) / 114 g/km (e:HEV)

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

152 g/km

At a glance

Model

Honda CR-V (RW1/RW2 & RT5/RT6 Series)

BMW X3 (G01 Series)

Subaru Forester (SK Series)

Production years

2017–2023

2018–2023

Body type

5-Door 5/7-Seater Executive SUV

5-Door Premium Compact Crossover

SUV / Crossovers

Seating capacity

5 or 7

Fuel types

Petrol (VTEC Turbo / NA i-VTEC), Full Hybrid (e:HEV)

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

Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid

Engine sizes

1,496 cc / 1,993 cc / 2,354 cc

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)

Transmission

CVT Automatic / Single-Speed e-CVT

8-Speed Steptronic Automatic

Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)

Drivetrain

FWD or Real Time AWD

Intelligent xDrive AWD

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)

Ground clearance

208 mm

204 mm

220 mm

Source market

Japan / UK (RHD)

UK / Japan / South Africa (RHD)

Japan / UK (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good

Sub-2,500 cc tax bracket advantage: All 1.5T, 2.0L, 2.4L, and Hybrid engines qualify for the lower 25% KRA excise tax rate.
High 208 mm ground clearance: Easily clears deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and rough upcountry murram tracks.
Earth Dreams 1.5T climbing torque: Maintains altitude power up the Rift Valley escarpment without sluggishness.
Optional 7-seater layout: Provides third-row versatility for growing families without stepping up to a large MPV.

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.

What’s not so good

Firm ride on 18-inch Masterpiece alloys: Transmits minor vibrations on corrugated unpaved roads.
CVT engine revs on heavy mountain climbs: Non-hybrid CVT holds elevated engine revs during steep highway passes.

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.