Compare cars

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

Honda Fit

Incredibly fuel-efficient urban hatchback with Magic Seats and sub-1,500 cc duty savings.

Highest rated

Nissan Note

Extremely popular compact hatchback featuring revolutionary e-Power hybrid technology and 28+ km/L efficiency.

Mazda Demio

Fuel-economy leader pairing sleek Kodo design with responsive SkyActiv.

Best value

Honda FitNissan NoteMazda Demio

Mandai score

8.5/10

7.5/10

8/10

Typical price

KSh 1,800,000

KSh 1,500,000

KSh 1,250,000

Years

2017-2023

Body type

–

Compact Hatchbacks

Fuel

Petrol, Hybrid

Petrol, Diesel

Transmission

Automatic, CVT

Automatic

Doors

Fuel and running cost

Trim

Nissan Note e-Power

Fuel consumption

18.5 km/L5.4 L/100km combined · about 740 km a tank

28.0 km/L3.6 L/100km combined · about 1148 km a tank

20.5 km/L4.9 L/100km combined · about 902 km a tank

Running cost

KSh 1,227 / 100 kmKSh 12 a km · KSh 12,268 for 1,000 km · petrol

KSh 811 / 100 kmKSh 8 a km · KSh 8,106 for 1,000 km · petrol

KSh 1,107 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 11,071 for 1,000 km · petrol

Dimensions

Length

3,990 mm (GK) / 4,040 mm (GR)

4,100 mm

4,060 mm

Width

1,695 mm

Height

1,525 mm

1,520 mm

1,500 mm

Wheelbase

2,530 mm

2,600 mm

2,570 mm

Ground clearance

145 mm

150 mm

145 mm

Boot space

304 L (1,205 L folded)

340 L (1,000 L folded)

280 L

Kerb weight

1,070 kg (Petrol) / 1,200 kg (Hybrid)

1,220 kg

1,030 kg

Seats

Specifications

Engine

1.3L L13B i-VTEC / 1.5L e:HEV Hybrid

1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)

1.3L SkyActiv-G Inline-4

Power

100 hp (1.3L) / 109 hp combined (e:HEV)

116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output

93 hp

Torque

119 Nm (1.3L) / 253 Nm electric motor torque (e:HEV)

280 Nm instant electric torque

123 Nm

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

FWD or e-4ORCE AWD

Front-Wheel Drive

0–100 km/h

10.2 sec (1.3L) / 9.4 sec (e:HEV)

7.9 sec

10.8 s

Top speed

180 km/h

150 km/h

180 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined

18.5 km/L (1.3L) / 28.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)

28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)

22 km/L

City

15.5 km/L (1.3L) / 26.5 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)

30.0 km/L (e-Power) / 15.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)

18 km/L

Highway

21.0 km/L (1.3L) / 29.5 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)

25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)

25 km/L

Tank size

40 L

41 L

44 L

CO₂ emissions

98 g/km (Hybrid)

82 g/km

104 g/km

At a glance

Model

Honda Fit (GK3/GK5 & GR1/GR3 Series)

Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)

Mazda Demio / Mazda2

Production years

2017–2023

Body type

5-Door Compact Hatchback

Hatchbacks / Compact MPV

5-Door Hatchback

Seating capacity

Fuel types

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

Petrol, e-Power Hybrid

Petrol, Clean Diesel

Engine sizes

1,317 cc / 1,496 cc

1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)

1,298 cc, 1,496 cc

Transmission

CVT Automatic / e-CVT

Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)

6-speed Automatic

Drivetrain

FWD or Real Time AWD

FWD or e-4ORCE AWD

FWD / AWD

Ground clearance

145 mm (150 mm Crosstar)

150 mm

145 mm

Source market

Japan (RHD)

Japan (RHD JDM spec)

Japan (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good

Magic Seat versatility: Rear seat cushions flip up or fold flat to carry tall cargo and bicycles.
Sub-1,500 cc import duty advantage: Qualifies for KRA's lowest customs tax valuation bracket.
Exceptional e:HEV fuel efficiency: Delivers up to 28.0 km/L in stop-and-go Nairobi city 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.

Superior fuel efficiency: The SkyActiv petrol and diesel engines achieve up to 25 km/L on Kenyan highways.
Premium interior finish: Soft-touch materials and available MZD Connect screen rival European subcompacts.
Smooth torque-converter automatic: Avoids the rubber-band CVT feeling found in competitor hatchbacks.
Sub-1,500 cc tax advantage: Qualifies for Kenya lower customs valuation and excise duty bracket.

What’s not so good

145 mm ground clearance: Requires slow navigation over steep estate speed bumps when fully loaded.
Third-generation DCT hybrid recall history: 2014–2016 i-DCD dual-clutch models require transmission software check.

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.

Modest rear legroom: Tighter rear passenger seating space compared to the Honda Fit or Toyota Vitz.
Diesel DPF sensitivity: The 1.5L SkyActiv-D diesel requires regular long highway runs to prevent DPF clogging.
Low ground clearance: The 145 mm clearance requires careful driving over tall speed bumps.