The VW Touareg is a capable mid-sized SUV that entered production in 2002 to serve a niche market that was initially dominated by BMW and Mercedes. In Kenya it received a lukewarm reception thanks to concerns about reliability and maintenance costs that accompany European cars. While there’s merit in these concerns, which we will delve into later, the reality is that the VW Touareg is an outstanding car that boasts of top safety ratings, excellent build quality, off-road capability and sports-like performance. It competes with the BMW X5, Mercedes M-Class, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Range Rover Sport and Volvo XC90.

The Mercedes A Class was perennially outclassed by the Audi A3 and the BMW 1 Series until the arrival of the third generation model in 2013 that changed things drastically and sent the competition back to the drawing board. Without question, the A-Class is a leader in the hatchback category and is dominant across many aspects such as design, space, comfort and performance. It competes with the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Volvo V40, VW Golf and Peugeot 308.

The VW Golf has a long history in Kenya that stretches back to the 70s and initially it was regarded as a reliable car before it took a hit with the arrival of the often misunderstood DSG gearbox. The problem itself is not with the gearbox but rather a user issue that starts from ignorant owners who don’t bother to read the Owner’s Manual to unqualified road-side mechanics who don’t have the right skills to service the car. In summary, the VW Golf is a reliable car and with proper maintenance, it can run for many years without a problem. It competes with the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Mercedes A-Class, Mazda Axela, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Auris and the Mitsubishi Galant Fortis Sportback

The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander is a 5 or 7 seater SUV that is offered in both 2WD and 4WD. It competes with the Nissan Xtrail, Toyota Vanguard, Toyota Rav4, Subaru Forester and the VW Tiguan. In this category, the Outlander and the Vanguard are the only 7 seaters.

Lexus is pushing the boundaries of luxury with the NX and it’s sparing no effort in its first attempt at the lucrative compact SUV category which it neglected in folly to chase the now declining full-sized category. The NX is fielding some of the latest technologies and finest accessories in the Lexus stable and this gamble is paying off big time going by latest sales numbers. It’s directly competing with established luxury brands such as the BMW X3, Mercedes Benz GLC, Audi Q3, VW Tiguan and the Range Rover Evoque. It also competes to a lesser extent with the Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester, Toyota Rav-4, Honda CR-V, and Mitsubishi Outlander.

The Toyota Hilux is a time tested workhorse that has been the mainstay of light commercial transport in Kenya for many years. It’s longevity is unquestionable and it’s commonplace to find older versions still kicking on the roads even after years of abuse and thousands of miles. The newer versions have been criticized for not being as hardy as their predecessors and their reliability has been put to question. In this review, we will tell you whether this is true and why the storied Hilux has been dethroned by the Isuzu D-Max in the Kenyan market. Other competitors include the Ford Ranger, Nissan Hardbody, Nissan Navara, Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi L200 and VW Amarok.

The Honda Stream is classified as a compact MPV or a station wagon and was in production from 2000 to 2014. Over the years, Honda has strived to make the car efficient enough for family use without compromising on its performance. Overall, its a good choice for people with large families or transport businesses that are looking for an affordable seven seater wagon. It competes with the Toyota Wish, Mazda Premacy, Subaru Exiga, Nissan Lafesta and VW Touran.

The fourth generation Subaru Impreza entered the market in late 2011 and brought about major changes to the once slow and thirsty car. With the introduction of new engines, a lightweight body and improved aerodynamics, it gained more power and better fuel economy which put it in a position to seriously compete with its rivals.  These include the Toyota Auris, Mazda Axela, VW Golf, Audi A3, Mitsubishi Galant Fortis and the Nissan Tiida. The WRX STI is a separate car that is not part of the lineup and it targets an entirely different demographic.