Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Mazda CX-5Volkswagen Golf AlltrackSubaru Forester
Mandai score
7/10
8/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 3,200,000
KSh 2,750,000
KSh 4,200,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2018-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
–
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
CX-5 2.2 XD L Package / 2.0 20S / 2.5 25S
Golf Alltrack 1.8 TSI 4Motion
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
Fuel and running cost
Trim
1.8L TSI Turbo Petrol 4Motion
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
14.8 km/L6.8 L/100km combined · about 814 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 1,534 / 100 kmKSh 15 a km · KSh 15,335 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,335 / 100 kmKSh 13 a km · KSh 13,351 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
4,550 mm
4,578 mm
4,625 mm
Width
1,840 mm
1,799 mm
1,815 mm
Height
1,690 mm
1,515 mm
1,730 mm
Wheelbase
2,700 mm
2,630 mm
2,670 mm
Ground clearance
210 mm
175 mm
220 mm
Boot space
506 L (1,620 L folded)
605 L (1,620 L with seats folded)
520 L (1,775 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,610 kg
1,540 kg
1,570 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
2.2L SkyActiv-D Twin-Turbo Diesel / 2.5L SkyActiv-G
1.8L TSI Turbocharged Inline-4 Petrol
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
Power
190 hp (2.2D) / 188 hp (2.5L)
180 hp @ 4,500 rpm
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
Torque
450 Nm (2.2D) / 252 Nm (2.5L)
280 Nm @ 1,350–4,500 rpm
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
Drivetrain
FWD or i-Activ AWD
4Motion All-Wheel Drive
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
0–100 km/h
8.2 sec
7.8 sec
8.2 sec
Top speed
204 km/h
217 km/h
204 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
19.5 km/L (2.2D) / 14.5 km/L (2.0L/2.5L)
14.8 km/L
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)
12.0 km/L
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)
17.5 km/L
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)
55 L
63 L
CO₂ emissions
142 g/km
158 g/km
152 g/km
At a glance
Model
Mazda CX-5 (KF Series)
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack (Mk7.5 / Mk8)
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2018–2023
Body type
5-Door Mid-Size Crossover SUV
5-Door Crossover Estate / Wagon
SUV / Crossovers
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Clean Diesel, Petrol
Petrol (TSI), Diesel (TDI)
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,997 cc (2.0L) / 2,191 cc (2.2L Diesel) / 2,488 cc (2.5L)
1,798 cc / 1,968 cc
1,795 cc (1.8T CB18) / 1,995 cc (2.0L e-Boxer) / 2,498 cc (2.5L FB25)
Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
7-Speed DSG Automatic
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
Drivetrain
FWD or i-Activ AWD
4Motion Permanent All-Wheel Drive
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Ground clearance
210 mm
175 mm
220 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan (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.
- Raised 175 mm ground clearance: Easily clears estate speed bumps and rough murram roads without scraping.
- 4Motion permanent AWD traction: Haldex coupling transfers power seamlessly across wet bitumen and muddy tracks.
- Vast 605 L boot capacity: Outpaces standard compact crossovers for luggage and upcountry cargo loading.
- 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.
- DSG dual-clutch fluid maintenance: Demands transmission fluid changes every 60,000 km to protect clutch packs.
- Firm European suspension feel: Transmits road vibrations over broken corrugated gravel roads.
- Lineartronic CVT response: CVT engine revs during heavy highway mountain passes.
- EyeSight windshield camera care: Requires specialized recalibration if windscreen is replaced.