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Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.

Toyota Auris

Highly durable Japanese hatchback transitioning later into the Corolla Sport line, featuring Valvematic power and sub-1,500 cc duty savings.

Best value

Volkswagen Golf

European compact benchmark spanning efficient 1.2L/1.4L TSI hatchbacks, practical Variant wagons, 7-seater Touran MPVs, and iconic GTI & R performance models.

Highest rated

Audi A3

Premium German compact saloon and hatchback blending Virtual Cockpit refinement, responsive TFSI performance, and sub-1,500 cc duty savings.

Toyota AurisVolkswagen GolfAudi A3

Mandai score

8/10

8.5/10

8/10

Typical price

KSh 1,950,000

KSh 3,200,000

KSh 2,800,000

Years

2017-2020

2017-2023

Body type

Compact Hatchbacks

–

Fuel

Petrol, Hybrid

Petrol, Diesel

Petrol, Hybrid

Transmission

Automatic, CVT

Automatic, Manual, Dual-clutch

Automatic

Doors

Fuel and running cost

Trim

Everyday Trims & Practical Imports

1.4L / 1.5L TFSI Turbo Petrol

Fuel consumption

16.0 km/L6.3 L/100km combined · about 800 km a tank

19.5 km/L5.1 L/100km combined · about 975 km a tank

17.5 km/L5.7 L/100km combined · about 875 km a tank

Running cost

KSh 1,419 / 100 kmKSh 14 a km · KSh 14,185 for 1,000 km · petrol

KSh 1,164 / 100 kmKSh 12 a km · KSh 11,639 for 1,000 km · petrol

KSh 1,297 / 100 kmKSh 13 a km · KSh 12,969 for 1,000 km · petrol

Dimensions

Length

4,330 mm

4,258 mm (Hatch) / 4,578 mm (Variant) / 4,527 mm (Touran)

4,343 mm (Sportback) / 4,495 mm (Saloon)

Width

1,760 mm

1,799 mm (Hatch/Variant) / 1,829 mm (Touran)

1,816 mm

Height

1,480 mm

1,492 mm (Hatch) / 1,515 mm (Variant) / 1,659 mm (Touran)

1,430 mm

Wheelbase

2,600 mm

2,637 mm (Hatch/Variant) / 2,791 mm (Touran)

2,636 mm

Ground clearance

140 mm

140 mm (Hatch/Variant) / 165 mm (Touran) / 175 mm (Alltrack)

140 mm

Boot space

360 L (1,200 L folded)

380 L (Hatch) / 605 L (Variant) / 834 L (Touran 5-seat mode)

380 L (Sportback) / 425 L (Saloon)

Kerb weight

1,270 kg

1,280 kg (1.4T) / 1,480 kg (GTI) / 1,550 kg (Golf R)

1,280 kg

Seats

5 or 7

Specifications

Engine

1.5L 1NZ-FE / 1.2L 8NR-FTS Turbo / 1.8L 2ZR-FXE Hybrid

1.4L TSI Petrol / 1.5L eTSI MHEV / 2.0L TSI Turbo (GTI & R)

1.4L TFSI Turbo Petrol (30 TFSI)

Power

109 hp (1.5L) / 116 hp (1.2T) / 136 hp combined (Hybrid)

150 hp (1.4T/1.5T) / 245 hp (GTI) / 300–320 hp (Golf R)

150 hp @ 5,000 rpm

Torque

136 Nm (1.5L) / 185 Nm (1.2T) / 142 Nm (Hybrid)

250 Nm (1.4T/1.5T) / 370 Nm (GTI) / 400 Nm (Golf R)

250 Nm @ 1,500–3,500 rpm

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Front-Wheel Drive / 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive (Golf R & Alltrack)

Front-Wheel Drive

0–100 km/h

10.0 sec (1.2T) / 10.9 sec (1.5L)

4.7 sec (Golf R) / 6.2 sec (GTI) / 8.2 sec (1.4T)

8.2 sec

Top speed

190 km/h

216 km/h – 250 km/h

224 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined

16.0 km/L (1.5L Petrol) / 17.5 km/L (1.2T) / 26.0 km/L (1.8L Hybrid)

18.2 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 19.5 km/L (1.5 eTSI) / 14.5 km/L (GTI) / 12.5 km/L (Golf R)

17.5 km/L (1.4T) / 18.5 km/L (1.5T MHEV)

City

13.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol) / 14.5 km/L (1.2T) / 25.0 km/L (1.8L Hybrid)

15.0 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 16.2 km/L (1.5 eTSI) / 11.8 km/L (GTI) / 9.8 km/L (Golf R)

14.5 km/L (1.4T) / 15.5 km/L (1.5T MHEV)

Highway

18.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol) / 20.0 km/L (1.2T) / 27.5 km/L (1.8L Hybrid)

21.0 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 22.5 km/L (1.5 eTSI) / 17.2 km/L (GTI) / 15.0 km/L (Golf R)

20.5 km/L (1.4T) / 21.5 km/L (1.5T MHEV)

Tank size

50 L (Petrol) / 45 L (Hybrid)

50 L (FWD) / 55 L (4MOTION)

50 L

CO₂ emissions

128 g/km (1.5L) / 86 g/km (Hybrid)

125 g/km (1.4T) / 162 g/km (GTI) / 176 g/km (Golf R)

119 g/km

At a glance

Model

Toyota Auris / Corolla Sport (E180 / E210 Series)

Volkswagen Golf / Variant / Touran / GTI / R (Mk7.5 & Mk8)

Audi A3 (8V Facelift / 8Y Series)

Production years

2017–2020

2017–2023

Body type

5-Door Compact Hatchback

5-Door Hatchback / Station Wagon (Variant) / 7-Seater MPV (Touran)

5-Door Sportback / 4-Door Saloon

Seating capacity

5 (Hatch/Variant) / 7 (Touran)

5 seats

Fuel types

Petrol, Full Hybrid (THS-II)

Petrol (TSI / eTSI), Clean Diesel (TDI)

Petrol (TFSI), Mild Hybrid (MHEV)

Engine sizes

1,196 cc (1.2T) / 1,496 cc (1.5L) / 1,797 cc (1.8L Hybrid)

1,197 cc (1.2T) / 1,395 cc (1.4T) / 1,498 cc (1.5T) / 1,984 cc (2.0T GTI/R)

1,395 cc / 1,498 cc / 1,984 cc

Transmission

Super CVT-i Automatic

6/7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic

7-speed S tronic Dual-Clutch Automatic

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or 4WD

FWD or 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive

FWD or Quattro AWD

Ground clearance

140 mm

140 mm (Standard Hatch/Variant) / 165 mm (Touran) / 175 mm (Alltrack)

140 mm

Source market

Japan (RHD)

UK / Japan (RHD JDM & UK Spec)

Japan / UK (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good

High durability and resale demand: Proven Toyota mechanicals ensure minimal depreciation in local markets.
Sub-1,500 cc tax advantage: 1.2T and 1.5L variants qualify for lower KRA import duty valuation.
Outstanding 26.0 km/L hybrid efficiency: 1.8L THS-II hybrid eliminates daily fuel costs in Nairobi traffic.
Seamless transition to Corolla Sport: Shares core mechanical components with late-model Toyota hatchbacks.

Unmatched European MQB chassis precision: High-speed rock stability on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway.
Sub-1,500 cc KRA duty relief: 1.2T, 1.4T, and 1.5T engines qualify for KRA's lower customs tax valuation bracket.
Versatile body choices: Hatchback, Golf Variant wagon (605 L boot), and 7-seater Golf Touran MPV cater to all transport needs.
High performance GTI and Golf R models: Deliver up to 320 hp with 4MOTION all-wheel-drive traction.

Sub-1,500 cc customs tax advantage: 1.4L and 1.5L engines qualify for lowest KRA tax bracket.
Premium Virtual Cockpit interior: 12.3-inch digital display with MMI touch navigation.
Excellent 17.5+ km/L fuel economy: Frugal turbo petrol technology with Cylinder on Demand.
Elegant Saloon & Sportback options: High executive style and strong local market demand.

What’s not so good

Low 140 mm ground clearance: Requires cautious driving over tall speed bumps and unpaved estate access roads.
Rear legroom: Rear passenger space is adequate for city hops but slightly tighter than a Premio.

Low 140 mm ground clearance on standard hatchbacks: Demands careful navigation over steep estate speed bumps.
Specialized maintenance requirements: 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission requires fluid service every 60,000 km using synthetic VW-approved oils.

140 mm ground clearance: Requires cautious driving over tall estate speed bumps.
S tronic dual-clutch maintenance: Demands regular transmission fluid changes every 60,000 km.