Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Honda CR-VVolkswagen Golf AlltrackSubaru Forester
Mandai score
9/10
8/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 4,500,000
KSh 2,750,000
KSh 4,200,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2018-2023
Body type
–
–
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
CR-V 1.5T EX Masterpiece / 2.0L e:HEV Hybrid
Golf Alltrack 1.8 TSI 4Motion
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
Fuel and running cost
Trim
1.8L TSI Turbo Petrol 4Motion
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
14.8 km/L6.8 L/100km combined · about 814 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 1,534 / 100 kmKSh 15 a km · KSh 15,335 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,335 / 100 kmKSh 13 a km · KSh 13,351 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,605 mm
4,578 mm
4,625 mm
Width
1,855 mm
1,799 mm
1,815 mm
Height
1,680 mm
1,515 mm
1,730 mm
Wheelbase
2,660 mm
2,630 mm
2,670 mm
Ground clearance
208 mm
175 mm
220 mm
Boot space
561 L (5-seater) / 150 L (7-seater expanded to 967 L)
605 L (1,620 L with seats folded)
520 L (1,775 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,580 kg
1,540 kg
1,570 kg
Seats
5 or 7
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.5L VTEC Turbo / 2.0L-2.4L NA i-VTEC / 2.0L e:HEV Hybrid
1.8L TSI Turbocharged Inline-4 Petrol
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
Power
184 hp to 190 hp (Variant dependent)
180 hp @ 4,500 rpm
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
Torque
175 Nm to 315 Nm (Electric motor combined torque)
280 Nm @ 1,350–4,500 rpm
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
Drivetrain
Real Time AWD / FWD
4Motion All-Wheel Drive
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
0–100 km/h
8.8 sec (1.5T) / 8.6 sec (e:HEV)
7.8 sec
8.2 sec
Top speed
200 km/h
217 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)
14.8 km/L
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)
12.0 km/L
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)
17.5 km/L
16.8 km/L (2.5L) / 18.0 km/L (1.8T) / 18.5 km/L (e-Boxer)
Tank size
57 L
55 L
63 L
CO₂ emissions
143 g/km (1.5T) / 114 g/km (e:HEV)
158 g/km
152 g/km
At a glance
Model
Honda CR-V (RW1/RW2 & RT5/RT6 Series)
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack (Mk7.5 / Mk8)
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2018–2023
Body type
5-Door 5/7-Seater Executive SUV
5-Door Crossover Estate / Wagon
SUV / Crossovers
Seating capacity
5 or 7
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (VTEC Turbo / NA i-VTEC), Full Hybrid (e:HEV)
Petrol (TSI), Diesel (TDI)
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,496 cc / 1,993 cc / 2,354 cc
1,798 cc / 1,968 cc
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
7-Speed DSG Automatic
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
Drivetrain
FWD or Real Time AWD
4Motion Permanent All-Wheel Drive
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Ground clearance
208 mm
175 mm
220 mm
Source market
Japan / UK (RHD)
Japan (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.
- Raised 175 mm ground clearance: Easily clears estate speed bumps and rough murram roads without scraping.
- 4Motion permanent AWD traction: Haldex coupling transfers power seamlessly across wet bitumen and muddy tracks.
- Vast 605 L boot capacity: Outpaces standard compact crossovers for luggage and upcountry cargo loading.
- 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.
- DSG dual-clutch fluid maintenance: Demands transmission fluid changes every 60,000 km to protect clutch packs.
- Firm European suspension feel: Transmits road vibrations over broken corrugated gravel roads.
- Lineartronic CVT response: CVT engine revs during heavy highway mountain passes.
- EyeSight windshield camera care: Requires specialized recalibration if windscreen is replaced.