Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Subaru ForesterMitsubishi RVRMazda CX-5
Mandai score
7/10
6/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 4,200,000
KSh 2,100,000
KSh 3,200,000
Years
2018-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
Compact Hatchbacks
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
RVR G / Black Edition
CX-5 2.2 XD L Package / 2.0 20S / 2.5 25S
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Subaru Forester 2.5L / 1.8T / 2.0L e-Boxer
Fuel consumption
17.0 km/L5.9 L/100km combined · about 1071 km a tank
15.2 km/L6.6 L/100km combined · about 958 km a tank
19.5 km/L5.1 L/100km combined · about 1131 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,335 / 100 kmKSh 13 a km · KSh 13,351 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,493 / 100 kmKSh 15 a km · KSh 14,932 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,168 / 100 kmKSh 12 a km · KSh 11,680 for 1,000 km · diesel
Dimensions
Length
4,625 mm
4,365 mm
4,550 mm
Width
1,815 mm
1,770 mm
1,840 mm
Height
1,730 mm
1,630 mm
1,690 mm
Wheelbase
2,670 mm
2,670 mm
2,700 mm
Ground clearance
220 mm
195 mm
210 mm
Boot space
520 L (1,775 L folded)
419 L (1,219 L with rear seats folded)
506 L (1,620 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,570 kg
1,370 kg
1,610 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
1.8L 4J10 MIVEC SOHC 16-Valve Inline-4
2.2L SkyActiv-D Twin-Turbo Diesel / 2.5L SkyActiv-G
Power
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
139 hp @ 6,000 rpm
190 hp (2.2D) / 188 hp (2.5L)
Torque
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
172 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
450 Nm (2.2D) / 252 Nm (2.5L)
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Front-Wheel Drive or 4WD (2WD / 4WD Auto / 4WD Lock)
FWD or i-Activ AWD
0–100 km/h
8.2 sec
10.5 sec
8.2 sec
Top speed
204 km/h
188 km/h
204 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
14.2 km/L (2.5L) / 15.2 km/L (1.8T) / 17.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
15.2 km/L (1.8L FWD) / 13.8 km/L (2.0L 4WD)
19.5 km/L (2.2D) / 14.5 km/L (2.0L/2.5L)
City
11.8 km/L (2.5L) / 12.5 km/L (1.8T) / 15.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
12.8 km/L (1.8L FWD) / 11.2 km/L (2.0L 4WD)
16.0 km/L (2.2D) / 11.8 km/L (Petrol)
Highway
16.8 km/L (2.5L) / 18.0 km/L (1.8T) / 18.5 km/L (e-Boxer)
17.5 km/L (1.8L FWD) / 16.0 km/L (2.0L 4WD)
22.0 km/L (2.2D) / 16.8 km/L (Petrol)
Tank size
63 L
63 L (FWD) / 60 L (4WD)
58 L (FWD) / 56 L (AWD)
CO₂ emissions
152 g/km
152 g/km
142 g/km
At a glance
Model
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
Mitsubishi RVR (GA4W Series)
Mazda CX-5 (KF Series)
Production years
2018–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
SUV / Crossovers
5-Door Compact Crossover SUV
5-Door Mid-Size Crossover SUV
Seating capacity
5
5 seats
5
Fuel types
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Petrol (MIVEC)
Clean Diesel, Petrol
Engine sizes
1,795 cc (1.8T CB18) / 1,995 cc (2.0L e-Boxer) / 2,498 cc (2.5L FB25)
1,798 cc (1.8L) / 1,998 cc (2.0L)
1,997 cc (2.0L) / 2,191 cc (2.2L Diesel) / 2,488 cc (2.5L)
Transmission
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
INVECS-III 6-Speed Sport Mode CVT
6-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
FWD or Electronically Controlled 4WD
FWD or i-Activ AWD
Ground clearance
220 mm
195 mm
210 mm
Source market
Japan / UK (RHD)
Japan (RHD)
UK / Japan (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.
- High 195 mm ground clearance: Easily navigates steep urban speed bumps, deep potholes, and unpaved estate tracks.
- Sub-2,000 cc customs tax advantage: Qualifies for KRA 25% excise duty rate to deliver affordable landed costs.
- Electronically controlled 4WD selector: On-demand 4WD Auto and 4WD Lock modes provide strong wet-weather grip.
- Durable MIVEC powertrain: Simple, naturally aspirated engine design ensures low maintenance overhead.
- 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.
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.
- CVT responsiveness under load: INVECS-III transmission revs high during steep upcountry climbs.
- Firm rear suspension tuning: Can feel bouncy over corrugated gravel roads when unladen.
- Diesel DPF requires low-SAPS C3 oil.
- Firm ride on 19-inch L Package alloy wheels.