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

Honda Vezel (Non-Hybrid)

Reliable non-hybrid 1.5L petrol crossover featuring 170–185 mm ground clearance, Magic Seats, zero dual-clutch maintenance risks, and sub-1,500 cc duty savings.

Highest ratedBest value

Mazda CX-5

A dominant crossover in Kenya balancing Kodo styling, 210 mm ground clearance, and 19.5 km/L diesel efficiency.

Nissan X-Trail

Highly practical family crossover available with selectable 4x4-i setups, optional 7 seats, and sub-2,000 cc duty savings.

Honda Vezel (Non-Hybrid)Mazda CX-5Nissan X-Trail

Mandai score

7.5/10

7/10

Typical price

KSh 2,150,000

KSh 3,200,000

KSh 3,450,000

Years

2017-2023

Body type

–

Mid-size SUV

Fuel

Petrol

Petrol, Diesel

Petrol, Hybrid

Transmission

Automatic, CVT

Automatic

Automatic, CVT

Doors

Fuel and running cost

Trim

Nissan X-Trail 2.0L Petrol / e-Power

Fuel consumption

14.5 km/L6.9 L/100km combined · about 725 km a tank

19.5 km/L5.1 L/100km combined · about 1131 km a tank

19.8 km/L5.1 L/100km combined · about 1188 km a tank

Running cost

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

KSh 1,168 / 100 kmKSh 12 a km · KSh 11,680 for 1,000 km · diesel

KSh 1,146 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 11,463 for 1,000 km · petrol

Dimensions

Length

4,330 mm (RU1) / 4,330 mm (RV3)

4,550 mm

4,690 mm

Width

1,770 mm (RU1) / 1,790 mm (RV3)

1,840 mm

1,820 mm

Height

1,605 mm (RU1) / 1,590 mm (RV3)

1,690 mm

1,740 mm

Wheelbase

2,610 mm

2,700 mm

2,705 mm

Ground clearance

170 mm (1st Gen) / 185 mm (2nd Gen)

210 mm

Boot space

404 L (1,020 L with Magic Seats folded flat)

506 L (1,620 L folded)

565 L (5-seater) / 135 L (7-seater expanded to 950 L)

Kerb weight

1,190 kg (RU1) / 1,250 kg (RV3)

1,610 kg

1,570 kg

Seats

5 or 7

Specifications

Engine

1.5L L15B NA i-VTEC / 1.5L L15C Turbo (Touring) / 1.5L L15Z DOHC (RV3)

2.2L SkyActiv-D Twin-Turbo Diesel / 2.5L SkyActiv-G

2.0L MR20DD 4-Cylinder Petrol / 1.5L VC-Turbo e-Power

Power

131 hp (RU1 NA) / 172 hp (Touring Turbo) / 118 hp (RV3 NA)

190 hp (2.2D) / 188 hp (2.5L)

147 hp @ 6,000 rpm (2.0L) / 213 hp e-4ORCE combined

Torque

155 Nm @ 4,600 rpm (NA) / 220 Nm @ 1,700–5,500 rpm (Touring Turbo)

450 Nm (2.2D) / 252 Nm (2.5L)

207 Nm @ 4,400 rpm / 330 Nm electric torque

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or Real-Time AWD

FWD or i-Activ AWD

FWD or All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE AWD

0–100 km/h

9.8 sec (RU1 NA) / 7.9 sec (Touring Turbo) / 10.5 sec (RV3)

8.2 sec

10.5 sec (2.0L) / 7.0 sec (e-4ORCE)

Top speed

185 km/h – 200 km/h

204 km/h

190 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined

14.5 km/L (1.5L NA L15B) / 13.5 km/L (1.5T Touring) / 15.0 km/L (1.5L NA L15Z 2nd Gen)

19.5 km/L (2.2D) / 14.5 km/L (2.0L/2.5L)

16.0 km/L (2.0L) / 19.8 km/L (e-Power)

City

12.0 km/L (1.5L NA L15B) / 11.0 km/L (1.5T Touring) / 12.5 km/L (1.5L NA L15Z)

16.0 km/L (2.2D) / 11.8 km/L (Petrol)

13.5 km/L (2.0L) / 19.0 km/L (e-Power)

Highway

16.5 km/L (1.5L NA L15B) / 15.5 km/L (1.5T Touring) / 17.0 km/L (1.5L NA L15Z)

22.0 km/L (2.2D) / 16.8 km/L (Petrol)

18.2 km/L (2.0L) / 20.5 km/L (e-Power)

Tank size

50 L (1st Gen RU1) / 40 L (2nd Gen RV3)

58 L (FWD) / 56 L (AWD)

60 L

CO₂ emissions

132 g/km (1.5L NA) / 145 g/km (1.5T Touring)

142 g/km

At a glance

Model

Honda Vezel Non-Hybrid (RU1/RU2 & RV3/RV4 Series)

Mazda CX-5 (KF Series)

Nissan X-Trail (T32 / T33 Series)

Production years

2017–2023

Body type

5-Door Compact Crossover SUV

5-Door Mid-Size Crossover SUV

SUV / Crossovers

Seating capacity

5 or 7

Fuel types

Petrol (NA i-VTEC & VTEC Turbo)

Clean Diesel, Petrol

Petrol, Hybrid (e-Power)

Engine sizes

1,496 cc (1.5L L15B / L15C / L15Z)

1,997 cc (2.0L) / 2,191 cc (2.2L Diesel) / 2,488 cc (2.5L)

1,497 cc (1.5T e-Power) / 1,997 cc (2.0L MR20DD)

Transmission

CVT Automatic with 7-Speed Paddle Shifters

6-Speed Automatic

Automatic (CVT / e-CVT)

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or Real-Time AWD (RU2/RV4)

FWD or i-Activ AWD

FWD or All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE AWD

Ground clearance

170 mm (RU1/RU2) / 185 mm (RV3/RV4 2nd Gen)

210 mm

Source market

Japan (JDM RHD Spec)

UK / Japan (RHD)

Japan / UK (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good

Zero hybrid battery or i-DCD dual-clutch repair worries: Conventional CVT + NA engine provides bulletproof long-term reliability.
Sub-1,500 cc KRA import duty advantage: 1,496 cc engine qualifies for lower tax valuation baseline.
High 170–185 mm ground clearance: Easily clears estate speed bumps, deep potholes, and rough upcountry murram tracks.
Magic Seats versatility: Rear seat cushions fold upward (tall mode) or fold completely flat for massive cargo space.

High 210 mm ground clearance handles unpaved roads and potholes easily.
Sub-2,500 cc KRA import duty tax bracket advantage.
Massive 450 Nm torque on 2.2L diesel.

Selectable All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE: Lockable 4WD mode provides excellent mud and sand traction.
High 210 mm ground clearance: Easily clears deep ruts and unpaved upcountry tracks.
Sub-2,000 cc KRA tax advantage: Qualifies for 25% excise duty rate (saving over 3.0L SUVs).

What’s not so good

Modest low-end torque on 1.5L NA petrol: Requires higher revs when ascending steep highway inclines under full passenger load.
Slightly higher fuel consumption than hybrid model (13.5–15.5 km/L vs 20+ km/L hybrid).

Diesel DPF requires low-SAPS C3 oil.
Firm ride on 19-inch L Package alloy wheels.

Third-row legroom: 7-seater third row is best reserved for children or short trips.
CVT fluid service interval: Xtronic CVT requires genuine NS-3 fluid replacement every 40,000 km.