Honda Grace Review
2014-2020
The Honda Grace (GM4/GM5/GM6 Series: 2014–2020) is Honda's premium compact executive sedan built on an extended Honda Fit platform. Designed to offer the interior legroom of a mid-size sedan with the footprint and low running costs of a compact car, the Grace features rear AC vents (rare in this class), soft-touch dashboard materials, and a spacious 430 L trunk. Powered by a 1.5L i-VTEC petrol or 1.5L i-DCD hybrid engine, all models stay at 1,496 cc to qualify for Kenya's standard 25% excise duty tax bracket.
*This score is awarded by our team of expert reviewers after extensive testing of the car
What’s good
- Sub-1,500 cc KRA duty advantage: 1,496 cc engine qualifies for lower tax valuation baseline.
- Exceptional 19.5–22.5 km/L hybrid economy: Ultra-low operating costs for urban executive commuting.
- Class-leading rear legroom & rear AC vents: Executive rear-seat comfort rivaling mid-size sedans.
- LED headlights & push-button start: Standard on LX and EX trims for modern executive styling.
What’s not so good
- Low 135 mm ground clearance: Requires careful speed bump clearance in Nairobi residential estates.
- Smaller boot capacity on Hybrid models (341 L): High-voltage battery pack occupies lower trunk floor space.
Most popular: Grace Hybrid LX / EX / LX Honda Sensing
4 doorsPetrol, HybridCVT, Dual-clutch
At a glance
- Model
- Honda Grace (GM4/GM5/GM6 Series)
- Production years
- 2014–2020
- Body type
- 4-Door Compact Executive Sedan
- Seating capacity
- 5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Full Hybrid (i-DCD)
- Engine sizes
- 1,496 cc (1.5L L15B i-VTEC / 1.5L LEB Hybrid)
- Transmission
- CVT (Petrol) / 7-Speed Dual-Clutch (Hybrid)
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or Real-Time 4WD (GM5)
- Ground clearance
- 135 mm – 145 mm
- Source market
- Japan (JDM RHD Spec)
Trims & variants
- Setup
1.5L i-DCD Hybrid or 1.5L i-VTEC Petrol, 15-inch alloy wheels, rear AC vents, fabric seating, cruise control, optional Honda Sensing safety suite.
- Why it gets shipped
The core volume seller in Kenya, offering executive features with sub-1.5L tax savings.
Fuel consumption
No separate figure for the Grace LX / LX Honda Sensing (Hybrid / Petrol), so these are the car's headline figures. Manufacturer / import-market figures: 14.5 – 16.5 km/L (1.5L i-VTEC LX) / 19.5 – 22.5 km/L (1.5L Hybrid i-DCD). Tank: 40 L (about 620 km combined). Real-world use varies with load, traffic and altitude.
Running cost
- City driving
- KES 1,780 / 100 km
- Highway driving
- KES 1,261 / 100 km
- 1,000 km a month
- KES 14,643
- Full tank (40 L)
- KES 9,078
Based on petrol at KES 226.96/L, 15-10-2026 to 14-11-2026. Combined economy unless stated.
Work out a trip cost →Package tiers
| Package | Level | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| DX / LX | Executive Base | 15-inch alloys, rear AC vents, fabric seats, keyless entry, automatic climate control. |
| LX Honda Sensing | Executive Safety | Adds Honda Sensing radar safety (Collision Mitigation, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise). |
| EX Honda Sensing | Flagship Luxury | LED headlights, 16-inch alloys, paddle shifters, heated front seats, leather trim. |
About the Honda Grace
Kenya strictly enforces an 8-year age limit from manufacture month and right-hand drive regulations. In 2026, 2018 to 2020 Grace models sit comfortably inside the legal direct import window.
Because all engine options remain at 1,496 cc, the Grace stays strictly under 1,500 cc, qualifying for KRA's sub-1,500 cc tax valuation bracket and saving over KSh 400,000 in import duty compared to 1.8L/2.0L sedans like the Toyota Premio or Allion.
Disclaimer
Tax figures are estimates based on October 2026 KRA schedules. Always verify specific chassis CRSP entries with your clearing agent prior to purchase.
