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

Mazda CX-5

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

Best value

BMW X3

Versatile premium compact SUV combining intelligent xDrive AWD, 204 mm ground clearance, 16.2 km/L diesel efficiency, and sub-2,000 cc duty savings.

Highest rated

Subaru Forester

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

Mazda CX-5BMW X3Subaru Forester

Mandai score

7/10

8/10

7/10

Typical price

KSh 3,200,000

KSh 4,900,000

KSh 4,200,000

Years

2017-2023

2018-2023

Body type

Mid-size SUV

Fuel

Petrol, Diesel

Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid

Petrol, Hybrid

Transmission

Automatic

Automatic, CVT

Doors

Fuel and running cost

Trim

Subaru Forester 2.5L / 1.8T / 2.0L e-Boxer

Fuel consumption

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

16.2 km/L6.2 L/100km combined · about 1102 km a tank

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

Running cost

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

KSh 1,406 / 100 kmKSh 14 a km · KSh 14,059 for 1,000 km · diesel

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

Dimensions

Length

4,550 mm

4,708 mm

4,625 mm

Width

1,840 mm

1,891 mm

1,815 mm

Height

1,690 mm

1,676 mm

1,730 mm

Wheelbase

2,700 mm

2,864 mm

2,670 mm

Ground clearance

210 mm

204 mm

220 mm

Boot space

506 L (1,620 L folded)

550 L (1,600 L folded; 450 L on xDrive30e PHEV)

520 L (1,775 L folded)

Kerb weight

1,610 kg

1,750 kg (xDrive20d) / 1,990 kg (xDrive30e PHEV)

1,570 kg

Seats

Specifications

Engine

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

2.0L B47 Turbo Diesel / 2.0L B48 Turbo Petrol / 3.0L B58 Turbo Inline-6

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

Power

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

190 hp (20d) / 252 hp (30i) / 292 hp combined (30e PHEV) / 382 hp (M40i)

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

Torque

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

400 Nm (20d) / 350 Nm (30i) / 420 Nm (30e PHEV) / 500 Nm (M40i)

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

Drivetrain

FWD or i-Activ AWD

Intelligent xDrive AWD

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)

0–100 km/h

8.2 sec

8.0 sec (20d) / 6.3 sec (30i) / 6.1 sec (30e PHEV) / 4.5 sec (M40i)

8.2 sec

Top speed

204 km/h

213 km/h – 250 km/h

204 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined

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

16.2 km/L (xDrive20d) / 12.8 km/L (xDrive30i) / 41.0 km/L equiv. (xDrive30e) / 10.8 km/L (M40i)

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

City

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

13.8 km/L (xDrive20d) / 10.2 km/L (xDrive30i) / 45 km EV range (xDrive30e) / 8.5 km/L (M40i)

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

Highway

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

18.5 km/L (xDrive20d) / 15.0 km/L (xDrive30i) / 16.5 km/L hybrid mode (xDrive30e) / 12.8 km/L (M40i)

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

Tank size

58 L (FWD) / 56 L (AWD)

68 L (50 L xDrive30e PHEV)

63 L

CO₂ emissions

142 g/km

138 g/km (20d) / 49 g/km (30e PHEV)

152 g/km

At a glance

Model

Mazda CX-5 (KF Series)

BMW X3 (G01 Series)

Subaru Forester (SK Series)

Production years

2017–2023

2018–2023

Body type

5-Door Mid-Size Crossover SUV

5-Door Premium Compact Crossover

SUV / Crossovers

Seating capacity

Fuel types

Clean Diesel, Petrol

Clean Diesel, Petrol, Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)

Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid

Engine sizes

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

1,995 cc (2.0D) / 1,998 cc (2.0T / 2.0T PHEV) / 2,998 cc (3.0T M40i)

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

Transmission

6-Speed Automatic

8-Speed Steptronic Automatic

Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)

Drivetrain

FWD or i-Activ AWD

Intelligent xDrive AWD

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)

Ground clearance

210 mm

204 mm

220 mm

Source market

UK / Japan (RHD)

UK / Japan / South Africa (RHD)

Japan / UK (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good

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.

Sub-2,000 cc KRA tax advantage: 2.0L diesel (20d), 2.0L petrol (30i), and 2.0L PHEV (30e) all qualify for KRA's 25% excise tax rate.
204 mm ground clearance: Confidently negotiates estate speed bumps, potholes, and unpaved upcountry roads.
Practical 550 L boot space: Generous cargo capacity expanding to 1,600 L with 40:20:40 split rear seats.
16.2 km/L xDrive20d fuel efficiency: Ideal for long-distance highway travel (e.g. Nairobi to Mombasa or Kisumu).

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

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

Firm ride on 20-inch M Sport alloys over rough corrugated gravel tracks.
Reduced boot floor height on xDrive30e PHEV (450 L) due to rear high-voltage battery placement.

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