Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota Premio / Allion: which should you buy?
Specs, prices, running costs and Kenyan-road suitability compared — Mazda CX-5 2.2 diesel (2017+) vs Toyota Premio / Allion 1.8.
The short answer
The Mazda CX-5 is more powerful, stronger on hills and when loaded and cheaper to fuel, and copes better with bumps and murram. The Toyota Premio / Allion is cheaper to buy and more reliable by our estimate, and has cheaper parts.
Side by side
| Mazda CX-5 Mazda CX-5 2.2 diesel (2017+) | Toyota Premio / Allion Toyota Premio / Allion 1.8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | KES 3M–4.3M | KES 1.9M–3M |
| Power | 187 hp | 141 hp |
| Torque | 450 Nm | 172 Nm |
| Engine | 2.2L 4-cyl turbo diesel | 1.8L 4-cyl |
| Fuel economy | 15.5 km/L | 14 km/L |
| Fuel per month* | KES 22,000 | KES 24,300 |
| Ground clearance | 210 mm | 155 mm |
| Drivetrain | AWD | FWD |
| Gearbox | Automatic | CVT |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Parts cost | Medium | Low |
| Reliability estimate | 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 |
*1,500 km a month at KES 226.96 per litre of petrol (EPRA Nairobi, 15 Oct – 14 Nov 2026); diesel KES 227.76/L. Typical factory figures for the most common version of each.
Choose the CX-5 if…
- Highway and upcountry travel
- Good fuel economy in an SUV
- A premium feel without premium prices
- Murram-ready210 mm of ground clearance handles murram, potholes and tall estate bumps.
- Hill & load ready450 Nm of torque climbs Mai Mahiu with a full load without strain.
- Parts easy to findMazda spares are easy to find in Nairobi and major towns, and most mechanics know them.
- Easy overtaking187 hp makes overtaking lorries on the Nairobi–Nakuru highway quick and safe.
Choose the Premio / Allion if…
- Executives who want comfort without high running costs
- Long highway commutes
- Strong resale value
- Parts everywhereToyota spares are sold in every town and on Kirinyaga Road, and every mechanic knows them.
Frequently asked questions
Mazda CX-5 or Toyota Premio / Allion — which is better?
The Mazda CX-5 is more powerful, stronger on hills and when loaded and cheaper to fuel, and copes better with bumps and murram. The Toyota Premio / Allion is cheaper to buy and more reliable by our estimate, and has cheaper parts. Choose the CX-5 for: highway and upcountry travel, good fuel economy in an SUV, a premium feel without premium prices. Choose the Premio / Allion for: executives who want comfort without high running costs, long highway commutes, strong resale value.
Which is more fuel efficient, the CX-5 or the Premio / Allion?
The 2.2L 4-cyl turbo diesel Mazda CX-5 returns about 15.5 km/L (≈ KES 22,000/month for 1,500 km) and the 1.8L 4-cyl Toyota Premio / Allion about 14 km/L (≈ KES 24,300/month), at KES 226.96 per litre of petrol (EPRA Nairobi, 15 Oct – 14 Nov 2026).
Which is better for Kenyan roads?
The CX-5 has 210 mm of ground clearance (AWD); the Premio / Allion has 155 mm (FWD). The CX-5 copes better with tall bumps, potholes and murram.
Which is cheaper to buy and maintain?
Typical prices: Mazda CX-5 KES 2.3M–4.3M, Toyota Premio / Allion KES 1.9M–3M. Parts: CX-5 Medium cost — Parts available in Nairobi; diesel servicing needs the right specialist. Premio / Allion Low cost — Shares many parts with other Toyotas; cheap and widely available.
Keep comparing
- Mazda CX-5 buyer’s guide
- Toyota Premio / Allion buyer’s guide
- Mazda CX-5 specs
- Toyota Premio / Allion specs
- Toyota Corolla Axio / Fielder vs Toyota Premio / Allion
- Toyota Mark X vs Toyota Premio / Allion
- Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota Harrier
- Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4
- Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Outback
- Mazda CX-5 vs Nissan X-Trail