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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.

Subaru Forester

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

Honda Vezel (Non-Hybrid)Mazda CX-5Subaru Forester

Mandai score

7.5/10

7/10

Typical price

KSh 2,150,000

KSh 3,200,000

KSh 4,200,000

Years

2017-2023

2018-2023

Body type

–

Mid-size SUV

Fuel

Petrol

Petrol, Diesel

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 725 km a tank

19.5 km/L5.1 L/100km combined · about 1131 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 1,168 / 100 kmKSh 12 a km · KSh 11,680 for 1,000 km · diesel

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

Dimensions

Length

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

4,550 mm

4,625 mm

Width

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

1,840 mm

1,815 mm

Height

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

1,690 mm

1,730 mm

Wheelbase

2,610 mm

2,700 mm

2,670 mm

Ground clearance

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

210 mm

220 mm

Boot space

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

506 L (1,620 L folded)

520 L (1,775 L folded)

Kerb weight

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

1,610 kg

1,570 kg

Seats

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

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

Power

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

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

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

Torque

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

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

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

Drivetrain

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

FWD or i-Activ AWD

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)

0–100 km/h

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

8.2 sec

Top speed

185 km/h – 200 km/h

204 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)

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

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)

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

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)

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

Tank size

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

58 L (FWD) / 56 L (AWD)

63 L

CO₂ emissions

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

142 g/km

152 g/km

At a glance

Model

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

Mazda CX-5 (KF Series)

Subaru Forester (SK Series)

Production years

2017–2023

2018–2023

Body type

5-Door Compact Crossover SUV

5-Door Mid-Size Crossover SUV

SUV / Crossovers

Seating capacity

Fuel types

Petrol (NA i-VTEC & VTEC Turbo)

Clean Diesel, Petrol

Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid

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)

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

Transmission

CVT Automatic with 7-Speed Paddle Shifters

6-Speed Automatic

Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)

Drivetrain

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

FWD or i-Activ AWD

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)

Ground clearance

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

210 mm

220 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.

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

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.

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