Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Subaru ForesterVolkswagen Golf AlltrackMazda CX-5
Mandai score
7/10
8/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 4,200,000
KSh 2,750,000
KSh 3,200,000
Years
2018-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Mid-size SUV
–
Mid-size SUV
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
Golf Alltrack 1.8 TSI 4Motion
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
1.8L TSI Turbo Petrol 4Motion
Fuel consumption
17.0 km/L5.9 L/100km combined · about 1071 km a tank
14.8 km/L6.8 L/100km combined · about 814 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 1,534 / 100 kmKSh 15 a km · KSh 15,335 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
4,578 mm
4,550 mm
Width
1,815 mm
1,799 mm
1,840 mm
Height
1,730 mm
1,515 mm
1,690 mm
Wheelbase
2,670 mm
2,630 mm
2,700 mm
Ground clearance
220 mm
175 mm
210 mm
Boot space
520 L (1,775 L folded)
605 L (1,620 L with seats folded)
506 L (1,620 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,570 kg
1,540 kg
1,610 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
1.8L TSI Turbocharged Inline-4 Petrol
2.2L SkyActiv-D Twin-Turbo Diesel / 2.5L SkyActiv-G
Power
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
180 hp @ 4,500 rpm
190 hp (2.2D) / 188 hp (2.5L)
Torque
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
280 Nm @ 1,350–4,500 rpm
450 Nm (2.2D) / 252 Nm (2.5L)
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
4Motion All-Wheel Drive
FWD or i-Activ AWD
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
14.2 km/L (2.5L) / 15.2 km/L (1.8T) / 17.0 km/L (e-Boxer)
14.8 km/L
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)
12.0 km/L
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
22.0 km/L (2.2D) / 16.8 km/L (Petrol)
Tank size
63 L
55 L
58 L (FWD) / 56 L (AWD)
CO₂ emissions
152 g/km
158 g/km
142 g/km
At a glance
Model
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack (Mk7.5 / Mk8)
Mazda CX-5 (KF Series)
Production years
2018–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
SUV / Crossovers
5-Door Crossover Estate / Wagon
5-Door Mid-Size Crossover SUV
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Petrol (TSI), Diesel (TDI)
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 / 1,968 cc
1,997 cc (2.0L) / 2,191 cc (2.2L Diesel) / 2,488 cc (2.5L)
Transmission
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
7-Speed DSG Automatic
6-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
4Motion Permanent All-Wheel Drive
FWD or i-Activ AWD
Ground clearance
220 mm
175 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Diesel DPF requires low-SAPS C3 oil.
- Firm ride on 19-inch L Package alloy wheels.