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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.

Highest rated

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.

Mercedes-Benz GLC250

Compact luxury crossover with 211 hp turbo power and 4MATIC AWD.

Best value

Volvo XC40BMW X3Mercedes-Benz GLC250

Mandai score

8.5/10

8/10

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

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

13.5 km/L7.4 L/100km combined · about 891 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 1,681 / 100 kmKSh 17 a km · KSh 16,812 for 1,000 km · petrol

Dimensions

Length

4,425 mm

4,708 mm

4,656 mm

Width

1,863 mm

1,891 mm

1,890 mm

Height

1,652 mm

1,676 mm

1,644 mm

Wheelbase

2,702 mm

2,864 mm

2,873 mm

Ground clearance

211 mm

204 mm

180 mm

Boot space

460 L (1,336 L folded)

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

550 L (1,600 L with seats folded)

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 M274 Turbocharged Inline-4

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)

211 hp @ 5,500 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)

350 Nm @ 1,200–4,000 rpm

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive / All-Wheel Drive

Intelligent xDrive AWD

4MATIC Permanent AWD

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)

7.3 sec

Top speed

210 km/h

213 km/h – 250 km/h

222 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)

13.5 km/L

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)

11.0 km/L

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)

16.0 km/L

Tank size

54 L (Petrol) / 48 L (PHEV)

68 L (50 L xDrive30e PHEV)

66 L

CO₂ emissions

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

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

152 g/km

At a glance

Model

Volvo XC40 (CMA Platform)

BMW X3 (G01 Series)

Mercedes-Benz GLC250 4MATIC (X253 Series)

Production years

2018–2023

2017–2023

Body type

5-Door Subcompact Lifestyle Luxury Crossover

5-Door Premium Compact Crossover

5-Door Executive Compact SUV

Seating capacity

Fuel types

Petrol (Drive-E), Clean Diesel, PHEV

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

Petrol (Turbocharged Direct Injection)

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)

1,991 cc

Transmission

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

8-Speed Steptronic Automatic

9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic

Drivetrain

FWD or AWD

Intelligent xDrive AWD

4MATIC Permanent All-Wheel Drive

Ground clearance

211 mm

204 mm

180 mm

Source market

UK / Japan (RHD)

UK / Japan / South Africa (RHD)

Japan (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).

Sub-2,500 cc KRA tax advantage: 2.0L engine qualifies for 25% excise tax bracket, saving huge customs duties.
Refined 9G-TRONIC transmission: 9 gear ratios deliver smooth acceleration and quiet 1,400 rpm highway cruising.
Prestige cabin craftsmanship: Artico leather upholstery, Burmester surround audio, and MBUX infotainment.

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.

Firmer ride on 19/20-inch AMG rims: AMG Line low-profile tires transmit road firmness over unpaved estate roads.
Specialized Mercedes maintenance: Demands MB 229.5 spec synthetic oil and specialized Star Diagnostic scanners.