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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

Nissan X-Trail

Highly practical family crossover available with selectable 4x4-i setups, optional 7 seats, 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 Vezel (Non-Hybrid)Nissan X-TrailSubaru Forester

Mandai score

7.5/10

7/10

Typical price

KSh 2,150,000

KSh 3,450,000

KSh 4,200,000

Years

2017-2023

2018-2023

Body type

–

Mid-size SUV

Fuel

Petrol

Petrol, Hybrid

Transmission

Automatic, CVT

Doors

Fuel and running cost

Trim

Nissan X-Trail 2.0L Petrol / e-Power

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

19.8 km/L5.1 L/100km combined · about 1188 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 1,146 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 11,463 for 1,000 km · petrol

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)

4,690 mm

4,625 mm

Width

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

1,820 mm

1,815 mm

Height

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

1,740 mm

1,730 mm

Wheelbase

2,610 mm

2,705 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)

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

520 L (1,775 L folded)

Kerb weight

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

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)

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

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

Power

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

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

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)

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

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

Drivetrain

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

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

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)

0–100 km/h

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

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

8.2 sec

Top speed

185 km/h – 200 km/h

190 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)

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

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)

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

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)

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

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)

60 L

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)

Nissan X-Trail (T32 / T33 Series)

Subaru Forester (SK Series)

Production years

2017–2023

2018–2023

Body type

5-Door Compact Crossover SUV

SUV / Crossovers

Seating capacity

5 or 7

Fuel types

Petrol (NA i-VTEC & VTEC Turbo)

Petrol, Hybrid (e-Power)

Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid

Engine sizes

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

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

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

Automatic (CVT / e-CVT)

Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)

Drivetrain

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

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

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.

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).

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).

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.

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