The Mitsubishi Pajero has had a long and illustrious tenure in the 4×4 club spanning 37 years in which there have been only four major iterations. This is not only a demonstration of its timeless appeal but also its ability to thrive in the ever changing automotive landscape. In Kenya, it reigned supreme in the 80s and 90s before it was dethroned by the Toyota Prado. Other competitors include the Land Rover Discovery, the Ford Everest and the Nissan Pathfinder.

The 2014 Toyota Fielder carries on with the same features from the previous year and only adds a few cosmetic changes. Given its strong performance over the years, Toyota has been in no particular hurry to change the winning formula. The hybrid version that was introduced in mid 2013 continuous to gain ground in Kenya but it is yet to find widespread acceptance due to reliability questions that plague hybrid. The demand for the Fielder is strong and consequently the prices are high even for locally used options.

The BMW 5 Series is an executive car that bridges the gap between the smaller 3 Series and the swanky 7 Series. In Kenya, the 5 Series appeals to a corporate and upscale clientele that is drawn to its high-end luxury and uncompromising safety features. It's locked in an eternal duel with the similarly loaded Mercedes Benz E-Class with buyers torn between the two. Both are really excellent cars and a choice between either usually boils down to personal preference.

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.