The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is named after the eclipse which is an event in astronomy that has dazzled humanity for ages. As the name goes, the Eclipse Cross is hoping to dazzle its way into the SUV market and spread its mystique across the globe like the solar eclipse it’s named after. It finally landed in Kenya and we immediately put it through its paces in the streets of Nairobi and the muddy tracks of the National Park. It put on such a rousing performance that we were left in no doubt of its capabilities and only wished we could spend more time in it. Its going up against the Honda Vezel, Subaru XV, Toyota C-HR, Nissan Juke and Mitsubishi RVR.
The Toyota TownAce is a long running light commercial vehicle that is widely used for cargo and passenger transport. In Kenya, it is popular in the rural towns where it enjoys great success and is regarded as a reliable workhorse. Though not famed for its looks, it offers a high level of adaptability which appeals to business people. It’s the same as the Toyota LiteAce and competes with the Mazda Bongo, Nissan Vanette and Mitsubishi Delica D2.
The Mitsubishi RVR is a compact SUV that boasts of a spacious interior and an excellent luggage capacity. We found it to be roomier, comfortable and economical than most of its rivals. It competes with the Nissan Juke, Subaru XV, Nissan Dualis and Honda HR-V.
The Mazda Verisa is a true master of deception. Let not the small stature or passive demeanor fool you. Underneath the veneer of colorful paintwork lies a potent motor that outperforms its closest rivals. There’s a perfect balance between power and weight that creates a harmonious ride reminiscent of the Mini Cooper. The Mazda Verisa competes with the Nissan March, Toyota Passo, Suzuki Swift and the Mini Cooper.
The Mitsubishi Mirage is a small car that is marketed as a fuel efficient and affordable compact. It replaced the Mitsubishi Colt that was fairly popular in Kenya especially the 1.5L turbo version that was revered by young people and racing enthusiasts. All the power is gone and racing enthusiasts will have to look elsewhere. The Mirage comes with a docile 1.0L engine that cannot mount any meaningful race. On the plus side, the Mirage is the perfect car for practical and business minded people. It’s economical, utilitarian and reliable.
The Mitsubishi Delica D5 has perpetually lived in the shadows of the dominant players such as the Toyota Noah, Toyota Voxy, Nissan Serena and Mazda Biante. This is surprising given the D5’s versatility and strong credentials both off-road and on-road. Of course other factors such as affordability, safety and reliability come into play but even here, the D5 still beats its competitors
The Toyota Axio is one of the most fuel efficient saloons to buy in Kenya and with the introduction of the new hybrid model in 2013, it’s now super efficient. Much as the hybrid technology is making inroads in this market, early signs indicate a slow adoption and it will take time before people fully embrace it. The good news is that the non hybrid models are still available and nothing significant has changed with them.
The Nissan Caravan now known as the NV350 Caravan in Japan and Nissan Urvan in other markets is the closest competitor to the popular Toyota HiAce. The dominance of the HiAce is well documented and Nissan has been working hard to change things. The release of the NV350 was seen as a big step towards achieving this but the HiAce still remains dominant. Though the Caravan has gained some ground in Kenya, it’s still yet to catch up.