Compare cars
Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Suzuki Swift (Standard / Normal Trims)Nissan NoteHonda Fit
Mandai score
8/10
7.5/10
8.5/10
Typical price
KSh 1,350,000
KSh 1,500,000
KSh 1,800,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Compact Hatchbacks
–
–
Fuel
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Petrol, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, Manual, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Automatic, CVT
Doors
5
5
5
Most popular trim
Swift 1.2 XL / Hybrid MG / Hybrid SG
Note e-Power X / Medalist / Aura e-Power
Fit 1.3L Home / Fit e:HEV Hybrid Luxe
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Nissan Note e-Power
Fuel consumption
23.0 km/L4.3 L/100km combined · about 851 km a tank
28.0 km/L3.6 L/100km combined · about 1148 km a tank
18.5 km/L5.4 L/100km combined · about 740 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 987 / 100 kmKSh 10 a km · KSh 9,868 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 811 / 100 kmKSh 8 a km · KSh 8,106 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,227 / 100 kmKSh 12 a km · KSh 12,268 for 1,000 km · petrol
Dimensions
Length
3,840 mm
4,100 mm
3,990 mm (GK) / 4,040 mm (GR)
Width
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
1,695 mm
Height
1,500 mm
1,520 mm
1,525 mm
Wheelbase
2,450 mm
2,600 mm
2,530 mm
Ground clearance
140 mm
150 mm
145 mm
Boot space
265 L (579 L folded)
340 L (1,000 L folded)
304 L (1,205 L folded)
Kerb weight
870 kg – 930 kg
1,220 kg
1,070 kg (Petrol) / 1,200 kg (Hybrid)
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.2L K12C Dualjet / K12D Mild Hybrid Inline-4
1.2L HR12DE 3-Cylinder + EM57 Electric Motor (e-Power)
1.3L L13B i-VTEC / 1.5L e:HEV Hybrid
Power
91 hp @ 6,000 rpm
116 hp (136 hp Aura) electric motor output
100 hp (1.3L) / 109 hp combined (e:HEV)
Torque
118 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
280 Nm instant electric torque
119 Nm (1.3L) / 253 Nm electric motor torque (e:HEV)
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
Front-Wheel Drive
0–100 km/h
11.0 sec
7.9 sec
10.2 sec (1.3L) / 9.4 sec (e:HEV)
Top speed
175 km/h
150 km/h
180 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
23.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol) / 25.0 km/L (SHVS Mild Hybrid)
28.0 km/L (e-Power) / 18.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
18.5 km/L (1.3L) / 28.0 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
City
19.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol) / 22.0 km/L (SHVS Mild Hybrid)
30.0 km/L (e-Power) / 15.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
15.5 km/L (1.3L) / 26.5 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
Highway
26.0 km/L (1.2L Petrol) / 28.5 km/L (SHVS Mild Hybrid)
25.0 km/L (e-Power) / 20.5 km/L (1.2L Petrol)
21.0 km/L (1.3L) / 29.5 km/L (e:HEV Hybrid)
Tank size
37 L
41 L
40 L
CO₂ emissions
98 g/km
82 g/km
98 g/km (Hybrid)
At a glance
Model
Suzuki Swift Normal Trims (ZC83S / ZD83S Series)
Nissan Note (E12 / E13 Series)
Honda Fit (GK3/GK5 & GR1/GR3 Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Compact Hatchback
Hatchbacks / Compact MPV
5-Door Compact Hatchback
Seating capacity
5
5
5
Fuel types
Petrol (Dualjet), Mild Hybrid (SHVS)
Petrol, e-Power Hybrid
Petrol (i-VTEC), Full Hybrid (e:HEV)
Engine sizes
1,197 cc (1.2L K12C / K12D) / 996 cc (1.0L K10C Turbo)
1,198 cc (1.2L e-Power / DIG-S)
1,317 cc / 1,496 cc
Transmission
CVT Automatic / 5-Speed Manual
Automatic (CVT / Single-Speed e-Power)
CVT Automatic / e-CVT
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or 4WD
FWD or e-4ORCE AWD
FWD or Real Time AWD
Ground clearance
120 mm – 145 mm
150 mm
145 mm (150 mm Crosstar)
Source market
Japan (RHD JDM Spec)
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.
- Instant 280 Nm electric torque: Smooth, rapid acceleration away from Nairobi traffic lights.
- Exceptional 28+ km/L fuel economy: Slashes monthly commuter fuel bills by over 50%.
- Generous rear knee room: Cavernous rear passenger space despite compact 4.1m length.
- Magic Seat versatility: Rear seat cushions flip up or fold flat to carry tall cargo and bicycles.
- Sub-1,500 cc import duty advantage: Qualifies for KRA's lowest customs tax valuation bracket.
- Exceptional e:HEV fuel efficiency: Delivers up to 28.0 km/L in stop-and-go Nairobi city traffic.
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.
- 150 mm ground clearance: Requires care over tall speed bumps when fully loaded.
- Engine generator sound under heavy hill climbs: 1.2L engine revs up to charge battery during steep ascents.
- 145 mm ground clearance: Requires slow navigation over steep estate speed bumps when fully loaded.
- Third-generation DCT hybrid recall history: 2014–2016 i-DCD dual-clutch models require transmission software check.