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Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Suzuki Swift (Standard / Normal Trims)Mazda Demio
Mandai score
8/10
8/10
Typical price
KSh 1,350,000
KSh 1,250,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Compact Hatchbacks
Compact Hatchbacks
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, Manual, CVT
Automatic
Doors
5
5
Most popular trim
Swift 1.2 XL / Hybrid MG / Hybrid SG
Demio 13S Touring
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Fuel consumption
23.0 km/L4.3 L/100km combined · about 851 km a tank
20.5 km/L4.9 L/100km combined · about 902 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 987 / 100 kmKSh 10 a km · KSh 9,868 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,107 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 11,071 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
3,840 mm
4,060 mm
Width
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,500 mm
1,500 mm
Wheelbase
2,450 mm
2,570 mm
Ground clearance
140 mm
145 mm
Boot space
265 L (579 L folded)
280 L
Kerb weight
870 kg – 930 kg
1,030 kg
Seats
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.2L K12C Dualjet / K12D Mild Hybrid Inline-4
1.3L SkyActiv-G Inline-4
Power
91 hp @ 6,000 rpm
93 hp
Torque
118 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
123 Nm
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Front-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
11.0 sec
10.8 s
Top speed
175 km/h
180 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
23.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol) / 25.0 km/L (SHVS Mild Hybrid)
22 km/L
City
19.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol) / 22.0 km/L (SHVS Mild Hybrid)
18 km/L
Highway
26.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol) / 28.5 km/L (SHVS Mild Hybrid)
25 km/L
Tank size
37 L
44 L
CO₂ emissions
98 g/km
104 g/km
At a glance
Model
Suzuki Swift Normal Trims (ZC83S / ZD83S Series)
Mazda Demio / Mazda2
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Compact Hatchback
5-Door Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (Dualjet), Mild Hybrid (SHVS)
Petrol, Clean Diesel
Engine sizes
1,197 cc (1.2L K12C / K12D) / 996 cc (1.0L K10C Turbo)
1,298 cc, 1,496 cc
Transmission
CVT Automatic / 5-Speed Manual
6-speed Automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or 4WD
FWD / AWD
Ground clearance
120 mm – 145 mm
145 mm
Source market
Japan (RHD JDM Spec)
Japan (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Exceptional fuel economy: Delivers 23.0 – 25.0 km/L combined, drastically reducing monthly commuting costs in Nairobi.
- Sub-1,500 cc KRA duty savings: 1,197 cc displacement triggers minimal customs import taxes and standard 25% excise rate.
- Featherweight 870 kg chassis: Light kerb weight creates nimble handling and effortless parking in tight city bays.
- Affordable upkeep: Proven non-turbo mechanicals with readily available Japanese service parts.
- Superior fuel efficiency: The SkyActiv petrol and diesel engines achieve up to 25 km/L on Kenyan highways.
- Premium interior finish: Soft-touch materials and available MZD Connect screen rival European subcompacts.
- Smooth torque-converter automatic: Avoids the rubber-band CVT feeling found in competitor hatchbacks.
- Sub-1,500 cc tax advantage: Qualifies for Kenya lower customs valuation and excise duty bracket.
What’s not so good
- Compact 265 L boot space: Modest luggage space compared to larger hatchbacks like the Honda Fit or Mazda Demio.
- Modest 140 mm ground clearance: Requires care when traversing tall speed bumps and unpaved estate roads.
- Modest rear legroom: Tighter rear passenger seating space compared to the Honda Fit or Toyota Vitz.
- Diesel DPF sensitivity: The 1.5L SkyActiv-D diesel requires regular long highway runs to prevent DPF clogging.
- Low ground clearance: The 145 mm clearance requires careful driving over tall speed bumps.