The Nissan Dualis is a compact SUV with a gentle demeanor that belies its true capabilities. It’s one of the few cars that strikes a perfect balance between economy and utility in one package. It’s as economical as any hatchback can be and yet as dynamic as any SUV can be. It has all the qualities that are desirable for driving in Kenya where road conditions greatly vary even within the same city. It competes with the Mitsubishi RVR, Subaru XV, Nissan Juke, Honda Vezel and Peugeot 2008.
The Suzuki Alto is not a new kid on the block. It has been around since 1979 but it just recently made an entry into the Kenyan market. Its popularity has largely been driven by demand from taxi hailing apps but has seen minimal uptake elsewhere. To make matters worse, its image has been dented by reports circulating on social media depicting an unsafe motor that falls apart even in minor accidents. These issues affect the locally sold model which is based on the Indian version known as the Maruti Alto. This is an entirely different car from the Japanese version that we are reviewing here.
As the world pivots from fuel guzzling SUVs to fuel efficient compacts, the BMW X1 is emerging as a popular alternative. It comes with Efficient Dynamics, a technology designed to improve fuel economy and reduce C02 emissions without compromising on performance or driving dynamics. In Kenya, its popularity is steadily growing and its poised to become the best selling European compact SUV. It’s going up against established Japanese rivals such as the Mitsubishi RVR, Nissan Juke, Subaru XV and Honda Vezel.
The VW Tiguan is a compact SUV that has enjoyed considerable success in Kenya over the last couple of years. It has perennially been overshadowed by the more popular Japanese rivals and has never broken into the big league per se. It’s a crossbreed between the Touareg and the Passat, combining the desirable features of both worlds. It’s unique selling points have been comfort and safety but new rivals such as the Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Forester are fielding all these plus more. Other competitors include the Nissan X-Trail, Toyota Rav4, Mitsubishi Outlander and Honda CRV.
The Ractis has proven to be a big hit in the Kenyan market thanks to its excellent fuel economy, space and affordable maintenance. It can be configured to carry passengers or luggage depending on the need, thanks to its high roof and flat fold seats. It’s closely related to the Subaru Trezia and its more or less the same car with different badges. It competes locally with the Honda Fit, Nissan Note and Mazda Demio.
Lets give credit where its due. The Subaru XV is without question the most exceptional small sized SUV we’ve driven in a while. This is by no means a small feat given the stiff competition that includes the Nissan Juke, Mitsubishi RVR, Honda HRV, Nissan Dualis and Toyota C-HR. What sets the XV apart from its competitors is the ingenious Symmetrical All Wheel drive that gives it unparalleled off-road capability
The Mitsubishi Outlander is a solid SUV that is somehow overlooked in the Kenyan Market. People would rather buy the less practical and over-glorified Toyota Harrier and overlook this versatile SUV. There’s freedom of choice and all but if important factors such as utility, off-road capability and 7-seater capacity are considered, then the Outlander is without question the better SUV. It competes with the Toyota Harrier, Nissan X-Trail, Toyota Vanguard, Toyota Rav4, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester.
The Honda Vezel is making an entry into the Kenyan market and there’s a growing excitement around this car. On paper, it offers compelling features such as a commanding SUV posture, excellent fuel economy, striking design and a reasonable price point. Is this enough to upstage the competition? It’s going up against the Mitsubishi RVR, Nissan Dualis/Qashqai, Subaru XV, Toyota Rush and Peugeot 2008.