Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Mercedes-Benz GLC250Nissan X-TrailSubaru Forester
Mandai score
8/10
7/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 4,800,000
KSh 3,450,000
KSh 4,200,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2018-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
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
GLC250 4MATIC AMG Line
X-Trail 20X 4WD / Hybrid / e-Power e-4ORCE
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
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
13.5 km/L7.4 L/100km combined · about 891 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 1,681 / 100 kmKSh 17 a km · KSh 16,812 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
4,656 mm
4,690 mm
4,625 mm
Width
1,890 mm
1,820 mm
1,815 mm
Height
1,644 mm
1,740 mm
1,730 mm
Wheelbase
2,873 mm
2,705 mm
2,670 mm
Ground clearance
180 mm
210 mm
220 mm
Boot space
550 L (1,600 L with seats folded)
565 L (5-seater) / 135 L (7-seater expanded to 950 L)
520 L (1,775 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,735 kg
1,570 kg
1,570 kg
Seats
5
5 or 7
5
Specifications
Engine
2.0L M274 Turbocharged Inline-4
2.0L MR20DD 4-Cylinder Petrol / 1.5L VC-Turbo e-Power
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
Power
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
147 hp @ 6,000 rpm (2.0L) / 213 hp e-4ORCE combined
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
Torque
350 Nm @ 1,200–4,000 rpm
207 Nm @ 4,400 rpm / 330 Nm electric torque
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
Drivetrain
4MATIC Permanent AWD
FWD or All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE AWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
0–100 km/h
7.3 sec
10.5 sec (2.0L) / 7.0 sec (e-4ORCE)
8.2 sec
Top speed
222 km/h
190 km/h
204 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
13.5 km/L
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
11.0 km/L
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
16.0 km/L
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
66 L
60 L
63 L
CO₂ emissions
152 g/km
142 g/km
152 g/km
At a glance
Model
Mercedes-Benz GLC250 4MATIC (X253 Series)
Nissan X-Trail (T32 / T33 Series)
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2018–2023
Body type
5-Door Executive Compact SUV
SUV / Crossovers
SUV / Crossovers
Seating capacity
5
5 or 7
5
Fuel types
Petrol (Turbocharged Direct Injection)
Petrol, Hybrid (e-Power)
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,991 cc
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
9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic
Automatic (CVT / e-CVT)
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
Drivetrain
4MATIC Permanent All-Wheel Drive
FWD or All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE AWD
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Ground clearance
180 mm
210 mm
220 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD)
Japan / UK (RHD)
Japan / UK (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: 2.0L engine qualifies for 25% excise tax bracket, saving huge customs duties.
- Refined 9G-TRONIC transmission: 9 gear ratios deliver smooth acceleration and quiet 1,400 rpm highway cruising.
- Prestige cabin craftsmanship: Artico leather upholstery, Burmester surround audio, and MBUX infotainment.
- 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
- Firmer ride on 19/20-inch AMG rims: AMG Line low-profile tires transmit road firmness over unpaved estate roads.
- Specialized Mercedes maintenance: Demands MB 229.5 spec synthetic oil and specialized Star Diagnostic scanners.
- 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.