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Pick up to 3 cars to see how they stack up on score, price and specs.
Volkswagen GolfSubaru ImprezaMazda Axela
Mandai score
8.5/10
7.5/10
8.5/10
Typical price
KSh 3,200,000
KSh 2,050,000
KSh 1,650,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
–
Compact Hatchbacks
–
Fuel
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, Dual-clutch
Automatic, CVT
Automatic
Doors
5
45
5
Most popular trim
Golf 1.4 TSI / Golf Alltrack / Golf GTD / Golf GTI
Impreza 1.6i-L / 2.0i-S EyeSight / Sport
Axela 15S / 15XD L-Package
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Subaru Impreza 1.6L / 2.0L Boxer
Fuel consumption
18.2 km/L5.5 L/100km combined · about 910 km a tank
15.8 km/L6.3 L/100km combined · about 790 km a tank
21.6 km/L4.6 L/100km combined · about 1102 km a tank
Running cost
KSh 1,247 / 100 kmKSh 12 a km · KSh 12,470 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,436 / 100 kmKSh 14 a km · KSh 14,365 for 1,000 km · petrol
KSh 1,054 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 10,544 for 1,000 km · diesel
Dimensions
Length
4,258 mm (Hatchback) / 4,578 mm (Variant / Alltrack)
4,475 mm (Hatch) / 4,640 mm (Saloon)
4,460 mm (Hatch) / 4,580 mm (Saloon)
Width
1,799 mm
1,775 mm
1,795 mm
Height
1,492 mm (Alltrack: 1,515 mm)
1,480 mm
1,440 mm
Wheelbase
2,637 mm
2,670 mm
2,700 mm
Ground clearance
140 mm (Hatchback) / 175 mm (Alltrack)
130 mm
145 mm
Boot space
380 L (Hatch) / 605 L (Variant / Alltrack)
385 L (1,240 L folded)
358 L
Kerb weight
1,280 kg (Alltrack: 1,530 kg)
1,340 kg
1,280 kg
Seats
5
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.4L TSI Petrol / 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel / 2.0L TSI Turbo GTI
2.0L FB20 Direct Injection Boxer 4-Cylinder Petrol
1.5L Skyactiv-D Turbo Diesel (15XD)
Power
150 hp (1.4T) / 184 hp (2.0 TDI) / 245 hp (GTI)
154 hp @ 6,000 rpm
105 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Torque
250 Nm (1.4T) / 380 Nm (2.0 TDI) / 370 Nm (GTI)
196 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
270 Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive / 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
Front-Wheel Drive / i-ACTIV AWD
0–100 km/h
6.2 sec (GTI) / 7.8 sec (2.0 TDI) / 8.2 sec (1.4T)
9.2 sec
9.8 sec
Top speed
216 km/h – 250 km/h
197 km/h
188 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
18.2 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 21.5 km/L (2.0 TDI) / 14.5 km/L (GTI)
15.8 km/L (2.0L) / 17.2 km/L (1.6L)
21.6 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 17.2 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
City
15.0 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 18.5 km/L (2.0 TDI) / 11.8 km/L (GTI)
13.0 km/L (2.0L) / 14.5 km/L (1.6L)
18.0 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 14.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
Highway
21.0 km/L (1.4T Petrol) / 24.0 km/L (2.0 TDI) / 17.2 km/L (GTI)
18.5 km/L (2.0L) / 20.0 km/L (1.6L)
24.5 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 19.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
Tank size
50 L (Hatch) / 55 L (4MOTION)
50 L
51 L
CO₂ emissions
125 g/km (1.4T) / 119 g/km (2.0 TDI)
136 g/km
114 g/km
At a glance
Model
Volkswagen Golf / Variant / Alltrack (Mk7.5 & Mk8)
Subaru Impreza (GK / GT Series)
Mazda Axela / Mazda3 (BM / BP Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Hatchback / 5-Door Estate / Lifted Wagon
Hatchbacks / Saloons
5-Door Hatchback / 4-Door Saloon
Seating capacity
5
5
5 seats
Fuel types
Petrol (TSI), Clean Diesel (TDI)
Petrol
Petrol, Clean Diesel, Mild Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,197 cc (1.2T) / 1,395 cc (1.4T) / 1,968 cc (2.0L TDI) / 1,984 cc (2.0T GTI)
1,599 cc (1.6L FB16) / 1,995 cc (2.0L FB20)
1,496 cc / 1,758 cc / 1,997 cc
Transmission
7-Speed DSG Dual-Clutch Automatic
Automatic (Lineartronic CVT)
6-speed Skyactiv-Drive Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD or 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD)
FWD or i-ACTIV AWD
Ground clearance
140 mm (Hatchback) / 175 mm (Alltrack)
130 mm
145 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD JDM spec)
Japan (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- High-speed highway rock stability: MQB chassis provides unshakeable composure on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.
- Sub-1,500 cc duty advantage on 1.2T/1.4T TSI: Sits in KRA's lower customs tax valuation tier.
- Lifted 175 mm Alltrack 4MOTION wagon capability: Combines 605 L cargo capacity with off-road rough track traction.
- 21.5 km/L 2.0 TDI clean diesel torque: 380 Nm torque delivers effortless long-distance overtaking economy.
- Standard Symmetrical AWD: Superior grip during heavy downpours on Nairobi tarmac.
- Subaru Global Platform (SGP): Rigid chassis delivers sharp handling and quiet cabin refinement.
- Sub-2,000 cc KRA tax advantage: 1.6L and 2.0L engines qualify for 25% excise tax rate.
- Sub-1,500 cc customs duty advantage: 1.5L petrol and diesel models qualify for KRA's lowest excise tax bracket.
- High-torque 1.5L diesel engine: 15XD turbo diesel delivers 270 Nm torque while achieving 21.6 km/L fuel economy.
- Upscale cabin craftsmanship: Soft-touch interior materials, MZD Connect infotainment, and heads-up HUD display.
- Excellent high-speed stability: Rigid SkyActiv chassis and 2,700 mm wheelbase provide planted highway handling.
What’s not so good
- Low 140 mm ground clearance on standard hatchbacks: Requires careful speed bump clearance in Nairobi estates.
- Requires quality synthetic VW 504 00/507 00 oils: DSG dual-clutch transmission requires fluid service every 60,000 km.
- 130 mm ground clearance: Low ride height requires care over tall speed bumps.
- CVT responsiveness: Lineartronic CVT prioritizes fuel economy over aggressive acceleration.
- 145 mm ground clearance: Requires cautious driving over tall estate speed bumps and ramps.
- Compact rear passenger headroom: Sloping roofline reduces rear headroom for tall adults over 6 feet.
- Costly i-Stop AGM battery replacement: Start-stop system requires specialized Q-85 (petrol) or S-95 (diesel) batteries.