Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Subaru ForesterVolkswagen TiguanMazda CX-5
Mandai score
7/10
7.5/10
7/10
Typical price
KSh 4,200,000
KSh 4,800,000
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, Dual-clutch
Automatic
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Forester Touring / Sport / Premium / e-Boxer Advance
Tiguan 1.4 TSI Highline / 2.0 TDI 4MOTION / Allspace 7-Seater
CX-5 2.2 XD L Package / 2.0 20S / 2.5 25S
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
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
15.5 km/L6.5 L/100km combined · about 899 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 1,464 / 100 kmKSh 15 a km · KSh 14,643 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
4,486 mm (Allspace: 4,701 mm)
4,550 mm
Width
1,815 mm
1,839 mm
1,840 mm
Height
1,730 mm
1,658 mm
1,690 mm
Wheelbase
2,670 mm
2,681 mm (Allspace: 2,787 mm)
2,700 mm
Ground clearance
220 mm
201 mm
210 mm
Boot space
520 L (1,775 L folded)
615 L (5-seater) / 760 L (Allspace 5-seat mode)
506 L (1,620 L folded)
Kerb weight
1,570 kg
1,490 kg (1,680 kg 4MOTION)
1,610 kg
Seats
5
5 or 7
5
Specifications
Engine
2.5L FB25 Direct Injection Boxer / 1.8L CB18 DIT Turbo
1.4L CZDA TSI / 2.0L EA888 TSI / 2.0L EA288 TDI Diesel
2.2L SkyActiv-D Twin-Turbo Diesel / 2.5L SkyActiv-G
Power
182 hp @ 5,800 rpm (2.5L) / 177 hp (1.8T)
150 hp (1.4T) / 190 hp (2.0T) / 150–190 hp (2.0 TDI)
190 hp (2.2D) / 188 hp (2.5L)
Torque
239 Nm @ 4,400 rpm (2.5L) / 300 Nm (1.8T)
250 Nm (1.4T) / 320 Nm (2.0T) / 340–400 Nm (2.0 TDI)
450 Nm (2.2D) / 252 Nm (2.5L)
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Front-Wheel Drive / 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive
FWD or i-Activ AWD
0–100 km/h
8.2 sec
7.7 sec (2.0T) / 9.2 sec (1.4T) / 8.5 sec (2.0 TDI)
8.2 sec
Top speed
204 km/h
200 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)
15.5 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 13.0 km/L (2.0T Petrol) / 18.5 km/L (2.0 TDI)
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 (1.4T Petrol) / 10.5 km/L (2.0T Petrol) / 16.0 km/L (2.0 TDI)
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)
17.8 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 15.2 km/L (2.0T Petrol) / 20.5 km/L (2.0 TDI)
22.0 km/L (2.2D) / 16.8 km/L (Petrol)
Tank size
63 L
58 L (FWD) / 60 L (4MOTION)
58 L (FWD) / 56 L (AWD)
CO₂ emissions
152 g/km
149 g/km (1.4T) / 129 g/km (2.0 TDI)
142 g/km
At a glance
Model
Subaru Forester (SK Series)
Toyota Tiguan / Tiguan Allspace (Mk2 Series)
Mazda CX-5 (KF Series)
Production years
2018–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
SUV / Crossovers
5-Door Compact / 7-Seater Crossover SUV
5-Door Mid-Size Crossover SUV
Seating capacity
5
5 or 7 (Allspace)
5
Fuel types
Petrol, e-Boxer Hybrid
Petrol (TSI), Clean 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)
1,395 cc (1.4T) / 1,984 cc (2.0T) / 1,968 cc (2.0L TDI)
1,997 cc (2.0L) / 2,191 cc (2.2L Diesel) / 2,488 cc (2.5L)
Transmission
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
6/7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
6-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
FWD or 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive
FWD or i-Activ AWD
Ground clearance
220 mm
201 mm
210 mm
Source market
Japan / UK (RHD)
UK / 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.
- Highly precise German engineering: Excellent chassis rigidity and high-speed highway composure.
- Sub-1,500 cc duty advantage on 1.4T TSI: Sits in KRA's lower customs duty tax valuation category.
- High 201 mm ground clearance: Easily clears deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and rough estate roads.
- Optional 7-seater Allspace layout: Provides third-row seating capacity with a huge 760 L trunk floor.
- 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.
- High CRSP customs valuation: Import taxes represent a solid investment compared to Japanese crossovers.
- Requires quality synthetic oils: DSG transmission requires fluid service every 60,000 km.
- Diesel DPF requires low-SAPS C3 oil.
- Firm ride on 19-inch L Package alloy wheels.