The Subaru Forester is quickly establishing itself in Kenya as a top tier SUV outperforming most of its rivals such as the Nissan X-Trail, Honda CRV, Toyota Rav-4, Mazda CX-5, Suzuki Vitara and Mitsubishi Outlander. What sets the Forester apart is the ingenious symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system and the choice of engines that include the turbocharged DIT engine that propels the Forester from 0 to 100 km/hour in 7.5 Seconds
The Subaru Trezia was borne out of an alliance between Subaru and Toyota in 2008 and it’s the same as the Toyota Ractis. The two cars are virtually indistinguishable save for differences in emblems and branding. In Kenya, the Subaru Trezia is lesser known and most customers opt for the Ractis but either way, the end result is the same. It competes with the Nissan Note, Mazda Demio, Honda Fit and Suzuki Swift.
The Mercedes M-Class is an imposing SUV that stands out in a crowded playing field that features heavyweights such as the VW Touareg, BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. It leads in aspects such as comfort, safety and performance but lags in other aspects such off-road capability and 7-seater capacity.
The Nissan Juke is one of the most affordable compact SUVs in the market and it offers a good balance between economy and performance. It faces stiff competition from the Honda Vezel, Mitsubishi RVR and Subaru XV but it’s popularity is still rising in Kenya especially among young people. Its exterior design attracts admiration and criticism in equal measure but generally the car is well received by many buyers.
The Mazda CX-5 is an exceptional car both aesthetically and technologically. It strikes a perfect balance between elegance and brawn which appeals to both a masculine and feminine clientele. It is angling for space in a crowded playing field that is packed with big hitters such as the Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester, Toyota Rav-4, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander and the VW Tiguan. Even amongst these, the CX-5 stands out as it offers some pretty compelling features that are noteworthy.
The Toyota Prado is the most popular and the most recognizable SUV in Kenya today and it competes with some of the most established brands such as the Land Rover Discovery, Mitsubishi Pajero and Ford Everest. It is one of the most reliable SUVs in the market and it comes with a range of engines from the slow 2.7L petrol to the powerful 4.0L petrol that give buyers a wide choice.
The Nissan X-Trail has grown by leaps and bounds and it’s now considered a full sized SUV. This transformation has made it a big time favorite in Kenya especially for people who are looking for an affordable 7-seater SUV. The Toyota Vanguard was dominant in this category but it went out of production in 2013 leaving the X-Trail and the Mitsubishi Outlander as the only other 7-seaters in this category.
The BMW X6 often attracts praise and criticism in equal measure. It’s arguably one of the most misunderstood SUVs in the market due to its ambiguous body style. BMW later branded it as a Sports Activity Coupe but the confusion still persists. To some, the X6 is nothing more than a glorified hatchback and to others, it’s a dynamic SUV with outstanding agility and sportiness. Regardless of the dichotomy, the X6 is an excellent SUV that is best suited for people with an urban lifestyle that requires minimal off-road travel. It competes with the Mercedes Benz GLC, Volvo XC60 and Audi Q5.