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Volvo V40Mazda Axela
Mandai score
7.5/10
8.5/10
Typical price
KSh 2,600,000
KSh 1,650,000
Years
2017-2023
2017-2023
Body type
Compact Hatchbacks
–
Fuel
Petrol, Diesel
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
Doors
5
5
Most popular trim
V40 T3 / T4 R-Design / D2 / D4 Cross Country
Axela 15S / 15XD L-Package
Dealer listings
None listed
None listed
Fuel and running cost
Trim
Fuel consumption
18.2 km/L5.5 L/100km combined · about 1128 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 1,054 / 100 kmKSh 11 a km · KSh 10,544 for 1,000 km · diesel
Dimensions
Length
4,370 mm
4,460 mm (Hatch) / 4,580 mm (Saloon)
Width
1,802 mm
1,795 mm
Height
1,445 mm (Cross Country: 1,458 mm)
1,440 mm
Wheelbase
2,647 mm
2,700 mm
Ground clearance
144 mm (156 mm Cross Country)
145 mm
Boot space
335 L (1,032 L folded)
358 L
Kerb weight
1,360 kg (1,420 kg D4)
1,280 kg
Seats
5
5
Specifications
Engine
1.5L B4154T T3 Turbo Petrol / 2.0L D4204T D4 Clean Diesel
1.5L Skyactiv-D Turbo Diesel (15XD)
Power
152 hp (1.5L T3) / 190 hp (2.0L D4 Diesel)
105 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Torque
250 Nm (1.5L T3) / 400 Nm (2.0L D4 Diesel)
270 Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive / All-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive / i-ACTIV AWD
0–100 km/h
8.3 sec (1.5T T3) / 7.2 sec (2.0L D4)
9.8 sec
Top speed
210 km/h
188 km/h
Fuel economy
Combined
18.2 km/L (1.5L T3) / 23.5 km/L (2.0L D4 Clean Diesel)
21.6 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 17.2 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
City
15.0 km/L (1.5L T3) / 20.5 km/L (2.0L D4 Clean Diesel)
18.0 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 14.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
Highway
21.0 km/L (1.5L T3) / 26.0 km/L (2.0L D4 Clean Diesel)
24.5 km/L (1.5L Diesel) / 19.5 km/L (1.5L Petrol)
Tank size
62 L
51 L
CO₂ emissions
127 g/km (T3) / 99 g/km (D4)
114 g/km
At a glance
Model
Volvo V40 & V40 Cross Country
Mazda Axela / Mazda3 (BM / BP Series)
Production years
2017–2023
2017–2023
Body type
5-Door Premium Compact Hatchback / Lifted Wagon
5-Door Hatchback / 4-Door Saloon
Seating capacity
5
5 seats
Fuel types
Petrol (Drive-E), Clean Diesel (D4)
Petrol, Clean Diesel, Mild Hybrid
Engine sizes
1,498 cc (1.5L T3) / 1,969 cc (2.0L T4 / D2 / D4)
1,496 cc / 1,758 cc / 1,997 cc
Transmission
6/8-Speed Geartronic Automatic
6-speed Skyactiv-Drive Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD or AWD (Cross Country)
FWD or i-ACTIV AWD
Ground clearance
144 mm (Standard) / 156 mm (Cross Country)
145 mm
Source market
UK / Japan (RHD)
Japan (RHD)
Pros and cons
What’s good
- Pioneering Scandinavian safety suite: City Safety auto-braking, blind spot BLIS, and pedestrian protection.
- Sub-1,500 cc duty advantage on 1.5L T3: Qualifies for KRA's lower customs tax valuation tier.
- 23.5 km/L D4 clean diesel efficiency: 400 Nm torque delivers sports-hatch acceleration with low fuel costs.
- Thor's Hammer LED headlights & floating console: Distinctive interior and exterior styling.
- 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
- Compact 335 L boot space: Smaller cargo capacity than a Volkswagen Golf or Mazda Axela.
- Low 144 mm ground clearance on standard hatch: V40 Cross Country (156 mm) recommended for rough estate roads.
- 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.