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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.

Best value

Subaru Forester

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

Honda CR-V

Premium 5 or 7 seater family SUV with 1.5L VTEC Turbo, bulletproof NA i-VTEC longevity, and 21.0 km/L e:HEV hybrid torque.

Highest rated

Honda Vezel (Non-Hybrid)Subaru ForesterHonda CR-V

Mandai score

7.5/10

7/10

9/10

Typical price

KSh 2,150,000

KSh 4,200,000

KSh 4,500,000

Years

2017-2023

2018-2023

2017-2023

Body type

–

Mid-size SUV

–

Fuel

Petrol

Petrol, Hybrid

Transmission

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

17.0 km/L5.9 L/100km combined · about 1071 km a tank

14.5 km/L6.9 L/100km combined · about 827 km a tank

Running cost

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

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

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

Dimensions

Length

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

4,625 mm

4,605 mm

Width

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

1,815 mm

1,855 mm

Height

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

1,730 mm

1,680 mm

Wheelbase

2,610 mm

2,670 mm

2,660 mm

Ground clearance

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

220 mm

208 mm

Boot space

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

520 L (1,775 L folded)

561 L (5-seater) / 150 L (7-seater expanded to 967 L)

Kerb weight

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

1,570 kg

1,580 kg

Seats

5 or 7

Specifications

Engine

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

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

1.5L VTEC Turbo / 2.0L-2.4L NA i-VTEC / 2.0L e:HEV Hybrid

Power

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

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

184 hp to 190 hp (Variant dependent)

Torque

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

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

175 Nm to 315 Nm (Electric motor combined torque)

Drivetrain

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

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)

Real Time AWD / FWD

0–100 km/h

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

8.2 sec

8.8 sec (1.5T) / 8.6 sec (e:HEV)

Top speed

185 km/h – 200 km/h

204 km/h

200 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)

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

14.5 km/L (1.5T) / 13.0 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 21.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)

City

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

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

12.0 km/L (1.5T) / 10.5 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 20.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)

Highway

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

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

16.8 km/L (1.5T) / 15.5 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 22.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)

Tank size

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

63 L

57 L

CO₂ emissions

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

152 g/km

143 g/km (1.5T) / 114 g/km (e:HEV)

At a glance

Model

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

Subaru Forester (SK Series)

Honda CR-V (RW1/RW2 & RT5/RT6 Series)

Production years

2017–2023

2018–2023

2017–2023

Body type

5-Door Compact Crossover SUV

SUV / Crossovers

5-Door 5/7-Seater Executive SUV

Seating capacity

5 or 7

Fuel types

Petrol (NA i-VTEC & VTEC Turbo)

Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid

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

Engine sizes

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

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

1,496 cc / 1,993 cc / 2,354 cc

Transmission

CVT Automatic with 7-Speed Paddle Shifters

Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)

CVT Automatic / Single-Speed e-CVT

Drivetrain

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

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)

FWD or Real Time AWD

Ground clearance

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

220 mm

208 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.

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.

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.

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).

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

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.