Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Lexus RX 300Honda CR-VSubaru Forester
Mandai score
8.5/10
9/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 5,800,000
KSh 4,500,000
KSh 4,200,000
Years
2017-2022
2017-2023
2018-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
–
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
RX 300 F Sport / Version L
CR-V 1.5T EX Masterpiece / 2.0L e:HEV Hybrid
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Lexus RX 300 2.0L Turbo
Subaru Forester 2.5L / 1.8T / 2.0L e-Boxer
Fuel consumption
11.8 km/L8.5 L/100km combined · about 850 km a tank
14.5 km/L6.9 L/100km combined · about 827 km a tank
17.0 km/L5.9 L/100km combined · about 1071 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,923 / 100 kmKSh 19 a km · KSh 19,234 for 1,000 km · petrol
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
Dimensions
Length
4,890 mm
4,605 mm
4,625 mm
Width
1,895 mm
1,855 mm
1,815 mm
Height
1,690 mm
1,680 mm
1,730 mm
Wheelbase
2,790 mm
2,660 mm
2,670 mm
Ground clearance
200 mm
208 mm
220 mm
Boot space
553 L (1,626 L folded)
561 L (5-seater) / 150 L (7-seater expanded to 967 L)
520 L (1,775 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,890 kg
1,580 kg
1,570 kg
Seats
5 or 7 (RX 300L)
5 or 7
5
Specifications
Engine
2.0L 8AR-FTS Twin-Scroll Turbo Petrol
1.5L VTEC Turbo / 2.0L-2.4L NA i-VTEC / 2.0L e:HEV Hybrid
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
Power
238 hp @ 4,800–5,600 rpm
184 hp to 190 hp (Variant dependent)
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
Torque
350 Nm @ 1,650–4,000 rpm
175 Nm to 315 Nm (Electric motor combined torque)
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
Drivetrain
Dynamic Torque Control AWD
Real Time AWD / FWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
0–100 km/h
9.2 sec
8.8 sec (1.5T) / 8.6 sec (e:HEV)
8.2 sec
Top speed
200 km/h
200 km/h
204 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
11.8 km/L
14.5 km/L (1.5T) / 13.0 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 21.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
14.2 km/L (2.5L) / 15.2 km/L (1.8T) / 17.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
City
9.5 km/L
12.0 km/L (1.5T) / 10.5 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 20.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
11.8 km/L (2.5L) / 12.5 km/L (1.8T) / 15.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
Highway
14.2 km/L
16.8 km/L (1.5T) / 15.5 km/L (2.0L/2.4L NA) / 22.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
16.8 km/L (2.5L) / 18.0 km/L (1.8T) / 18.5 km/L (e-Boxer)
Tank size
72 L
57 L
63 L
CO₂ emissions
189 g/km
143 g/km (1.5T) / 114 g/km (e:HEV)
152 g/km
At a glance
Model
Lexus RX 300 (AL20 Series)
Honda CR-V (RW1/RW2 & RT5/RT6 Series)
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
Production years
2017–2022
2017–2023
2018–2023
Body type
5-Door Mid-Size Luxury SUV
5-Door 5/7-Seater Executive SUV
SUV / Crossovers
Seating capacity
5 or 7 (RX 300L)
5 or 7
5
Fuel types
Petrol
Petrol (VTEC Turbo / NA i-VTEC), Full Hybrid (e:HEV)
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,998 cc (2.0L Turbo)
1,496 cc / 1,993 cc / 2,354 cc
1,795 cc (1.8T CB18) / 1,995 cc (2.0L e-Boxer) / 2,498 cc (2.5L FB25)
Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
CVT Automatic / Single-Speed e-CVT
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
Drivetrain
Dynamic Torque Control AWD
FWD or Real Time AWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Ground clearance
200 mm
208 mm
220 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan / UK (RHD)
Japan / UK (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Sub-2,000 cc KRA import duty tax savings.
- Exceptionally quiet, refined cabin with Mark Levinson audio.
- Reliable Toyota 8AR-FTS turbo engine mechanicals.
- 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.
- 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
- Remote Touch trackpad interface requires patience.
- 6-speed automatic feels traditional compared to 8-speed rivals.
- 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.
- Lineartronic CVT response: CVT engine revs during heavy highway mountain passes.
- EyeSight windshield camera care: Requires specialized recalibration if windscreen is replaced.