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

Subaru Forester

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

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

Nissan X-Trail

Highly practical family crossover available with selectable 4x4-i setups, optional 7 seats, and sub-2,000 cc duty savings.

Best value

Subaru ForesterBMW X3Nissan X-Trail

Mandai score

7/10

8/10

7/10

Typical price

KSh 4,200,000

KSh 4,900,000

KSh 3,450,000

Years

2018-2023

2017-2023

Body type

Mid-size SUV

Fuel

Petrol, Hybrid

Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid

Petrol, Hybrid

Transmission

Automatic, CVT

Automatic

Automatic, CVT

Doors

Fuel and running cost

Trim

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

Nissan X-Trail 2.0L Petrol / e-Power

Fuel consumption

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

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

19.8 km/L5.1 L/100km combined · about 1188 km a tank

Running cost

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

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

KSh 1,146 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 11,463 for 1,000 km · petrol

Dimensions

Length

4,625 mm

4,708 mm

4,690 mm

Width

1,815 mm

1,891 mm

1,820 mm

Height

1,730 mm

1,676 mm

1,740 mm

Wheelbase

2,670 mm

2,864 mm

2,705 mm

Ground clearance

220 mm

204 mm

210 mm

Boot space

520 L (1,775 L folded)

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

565 L (5-seater) / 135 L (7-seater expanded to 950 L)

Kerb weight

1,570 kg

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

1,570 kg

Seats

5 or 7

Specifications

Engine

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

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

2.0L MR20DD 4-Cylinder Petrol / 1.5L VC-Turbo e-Power

Power

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

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

147 hp @ 6,000 rpm (2.0L) / 213 hp e-4ORCE combined

Torque

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

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

207 Nm @ 4,400 rpm / 330 Nm electric torque

Drivetrain

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)

Intelligent xDrive AWD

FWD or All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE AWD

0–100 km/h

8.2 sec

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

10.5 sec (2.0L) / 7.0 sec (e-4ORCE)

Top speed

204 km/h

213 km/h – 250 km/h

190 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined

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

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

16.0 km/L (2.0L) / 19.8 km/L (e-Power)

City

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

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

13.5 km/L (2.0L) / 19.0 km/L (e-Power)

Highway

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

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

18.2 km/L (2.0L) / 20.5 km/L (e-Power)

Tank size

63 L

68 L (50 L xDrive30e PHEV)

60 L

CO₂ emissions

152 g/km

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

142 g/km

At a glance

Model

Subaru Forester (SK Series)

BMW X3 (G01 Series)

Nissan X-Trail (T32 / T33 Series)

Production years

2018–2023

2017–2023

Body type

SUV / Crossovers

5-Door Premium Compact Crossover

SUV / Crossovers

Seating capacity

5 or 7

Fuel types

Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid

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

Petrol, Hybrid (e-Power)

Engine sizes

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

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

1,497 cc (1.5T e-Power) / 1,997 cc (2.0L MR20DD)

Transmission

Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)

8-Speed Steptronic Automatic

Automatic (CVT / e-CVT)

Drivetrain

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)

Intelligent xDrive AWD

FWD or All-Mode 4x4-i / e-4ORCE AWD

Ground clearance

220 mm

204 mm

210 mm

Source market

Japan / UK (RHD)

UK / Japan / South Africa (RHD)

Japan / UK (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good

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-2,000 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).

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).

What’s not so good

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 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.

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.