Compare cars

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

Volvo XC40

Chic subcompact lifestyle crossover with extensive tech packages, 211 mm ground clearance, Harman Kardon audio, and sub-2,000 cc duty savings.

BMW X3

Versatile premium compact SUV combining intelligent xDrive AWD, 204 mm ground clearance, 16.2 km/L diesel efficiency, and sub-2,000 cc duty savings.

Audi Q5

Benchmark German executive crossover featuring Quattro all-wheel drive, 208 mm ground clearance, and sub-2,500 cc duty savings.

Best value

Volvo XC40BMW X3Audi Q5

Mandai score

8.5/10

8/10

8.5/10

Typical price

KSh 5,200,000

KSh 4,900,000

KSh 4,800,000

Years

2018-2023

2017-2023

Body type

–

Mid-size SUV

–

Fuel

Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid

Petrol, Diesel

Transmission

Automatic

Doors

Fuel and running cost

Trim

Fuel consumption

13.5 km/L7.4 L/100km combined · about 729 km a tank

16.2 km/L6.2 L/100km combined · about 1102 km a tank

14.0 km/L7.1 L/100km combined · about 980 km a tank

Running cost

KSh 1,681 / 100 kmKSh 17 a km · KSh 16,812 for 1,000 km · petrol

KSh 1,406 / 100 kmKSh 14 a km · KSh 14,059 for 1,000 km · diesel

KSh 1,621 / 100 kmKSh 16 a km · KSh 16,211 for 1,000 km · petrol

Dimensions

Length

4,425 mm

4,708 mm

4,663 mm

Width

1,863 mm

1,891 mm

1,893 mm

Height

1,652 mm

1,676 mm

1,659 mm

Wheelbase

2,702 mm

2,864 mm

2,819 mm

Ground clearance

211 mm

204 mm

208 mm

Boot space

460 L (1,336 L folded)

550 L (1,600 L folded; 450 L on xDrive30e PHEV)

550 L

Kerb weight

1,625 kg (1,810 kg Recharge PHEV)

1,750 kg (xDrive20d) / 1,990 kg (xDrive30e PHEV)

1,735 kg

Seats

Specifications

Engine

2.0L T4 Turbo Petrol / 2.0L T5 Turbo Petrol / 1.5L T5 Recharge PHEV

2.0L B47 Turbo Diesel / 2.0L B48 Turbo Petrol / 3.0L B58 Turbo Inline-6

2.0L TFSI Turbo Petrol (45 TFSI)

Power

190 hp (T4) / 247 hp (T5) / 262 hp combined (Recharge PHEV)

190 hp (20d) / 252 hp (30i) / 292 hp combined (30e PHEV) / 382 hp (M40i)

252 hp @ 5,000–6,000 rpm

Torque

300 Nm (T4) / 350 Nm (T5) / 425 Nm combined (PHEV)

400 Nm (20d) / 350 Nm (30i) / 420 Nm (30e PHEV) / 500 Nm (M40i)

370 Nm @ 1,600–4,500 rpm

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive / All-Wheel Drive

Intelligent xDrive AWD

Quattro All-Wheel Drive with Ultra Technology

0–100 km/h

6.5 sec (T5 AWD) / 7.3 sec (Recharge PHEV) / 8.4 sec (T4)

8.0 sec (20d) / 6.3 sec (30i) / 6.1 sec (30e PHEV) / 4.5 sec (M40i)

6.3 sec

Top speed

210 km/h

213 km/h – 250 km/h

237 km/h

Fuel economy

Combined

14.8 km/L (T4 Petrol) / 13.5 km/L (T5 AWD) / 45.0 km/L equivalent (Recharge PHEV)

16.2 km/L (xDrive20d) / 12.8 km/L (xDrive30i) / 41.0 km/L equiv. (xDrive30e) / 10.8 km/L (M40i)

14.0 km/L (2.0T Petrol) / 18.2 km/L (2.0T Diesel)

City

12.0 km/L (T4 Petrol) / 11.0 km/L (T5 AWD) / 45 km pure EV range (PHEV)

13.8 km/L (xDrive20d) / 10.2 km/L (xDrive30i) / 45 km EV range (xDrive30e) / 8.5 km/L (M40i)

11.5 km/L (2.0T Petrol) / 15.5 km/L (2.0T Diesel)

Highway

17.5 km/L (T4 Petrol) / 16.0 km/L (T5 AWD) / 22.0 km/L (PHEV hybrid mode)

18.5 km/L (xDrive20d) / 15.0 km/L (xDrive30i) / 16.5 km/L hybrid mode (xDrive30e) / 12.8 km/L (M40i)

16.5 km/L (2.0T Petrol) / 20.5 km/L (2.0T Diesel)

Tank size

54 L (Petrol) / 48 L (PHEV)

68 L (50 L xDrive30e PHEV)

70 L

CO₂ emissions

154 g/km (T4) / 47 g/km (PHEV)

138 g/km (20d) / 49 g/km (30e PHEV)

154 g/km

At a glance

Model

Volvo XC40 (CMA Platform)

BMW X3 (G01 Series)

Audi Q5 (FY Series)

Production years

2018–2023

2017–2023

Body type

5-Door Subcompact Lifestyle Luxury Crossover

5-Door Premium Compact Crossover

5-Door Executive Crossover SUV

Seating capacity

5 seats

Fuel types

Petrol (Drive-E), Clean Diesel, PHEV

Clean Diesel, Petrol, Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)

Petrol (TFSI), Clean Diesel (TDI)

Engine sizes

1,477 cc (1.5T PHEV) / 1,969 cc (2.0L T4/T5/D4)

1,995 cc (2.0D) / 1,998 cc (2.0T / 2.0T PHEV) / 2,998 cc (3.0T M40i)

1,984 cc / 1,968 cc / 2,995 cc

Transmission

8-Speed Geartronic Automatic / 7-Speed DCT (PHEV)

8-Speed Steptronic Automatic

7-speed S tronic / 8-speed Tiptronic

Drivetrain

FWD or AWD

Intelligent xDrive AWD

Quattro All-Wheel Drive

Ground clearance

211 mm

204 mm

208 mm

Source market

UK / Japan (RHD)

UK / Japan / South Africa (RHD)

Japan / UK (RHD)

Pros and cons

What’s good

High 211 mm ground clearance: Easily clears tall speed bumps, deep potholes, and rough upcountry estate roads.
Sub-2,000 cc KRA duty advantage: All 1.5T and 2.0L engines qualify for the lower 25% excise tax bracket.
Extensive Scandinavian safety suite: Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving, City Safety, and run-off road protection.
Chic contrast-roof styling & clever storage: Removable trash bin, door slot laptop storage, and folding bag hooks.

Sub-2,000 cc KRA tax advantage: 2.0L diesel (20d), 2.0L petrol (30i), and 2.0L PHEV (30e) all qualify for KRA's 25% excise tax rate.
204 mm ground clearance: Confidently negotiates estate speed bumps, potholes, and unpaved upcountry roads.
Practical 550 L boot space: Generous cargo capacity expanding to 1,600 L with 40:20:40 split rear seats.
16.2 km/L xDrive20d fuel efficiency: Ideal for long-distance highway travel (e.g. Nairobi to Mombasa or Kisumu).

High 208 mm ground clearance: Easily clears deep potholes, tall speed bumps, and unpaved estate roads.
Sub-2,500 cc duty advantage: 2.0L engines qualify for KRA's 25% excise duty rate.
Quattro all-wheel drive traction: Instant torque distribution for wet asphalt and murram roads.
Audi Virtual Cockpit & Bang & Olufsen audio: Premium 12.3-inch digital cluster and 3D sound system.

What’s not so good

High CRSP customs valuation: Import duty represents a solid investment compared to Japanese subcompact crossovers.
Sensus touchscreen learning curve: Climate control operates via central touchscreen rather than physical buttons.

Firm ride on 20-inch M Sport alloys over rough corrugated gravel tracks.
Reduced boot floor height on xDrive30e PHEV (450 L) due to rear high-voltage battery placement.

S tronic fluid service requirements: Demands genuine Audi dual-clutch fluid replacement every 60,000 km.
Firm ride on 20-inch S Line wheels: Transmits minor road vibrations on corrugated gravel tracks.