Mazda Demio vs Subaru XV / Impreza: which should you buy?
Specs, prices, running costs and Kenyan-road suitability compared — Mazda Demio 1.3 (DJ) vs Subaru XV / Impreza 2.0.
The short answer
The Mazda Demio is cheaper to buy and cheaper to fuel, and has cheaper parts. The Subaru XV / Impreza is more powerful and stronger on hills and when loaded, and copes better with bumps and murram.
Side by side
| Mazda Demio Mazda Demio 1.3 (DJ) | Subaru XV / Impreza Subaru XV / Impreza 2.0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | KES 850K–1.4M | KES 1.9M–2.9M |
| Power | 91 hp | 152 hp |
| Torque | 121 Nm | 196 Nm |
| Engine | 1.3L 4-cyl | 2.0L Boxer-4 |
| Fuel economy | 19 km/L | 14 km/L |
| Fuel per month* | KES 17,900 | KES 24,300 |
| Ground clearance | 145 mm | 200 mm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | AWD |
| Gearbox | Automatic | CVT |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Parts cost | Low | Medium |
| Reliability estimate | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
*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 Demio if…
- First cars with a bit of style
- Town driving
- Low fuel costs
- Fuel saver19 km/L — about KES 17,900 a month for 1,500 km at today’s pump price.
- Parts easy to findMazda spares are easy to find in Nairobi and major towns, and most mechanics know them.
Choose the XV / Impreza if…
- Young families and couples
- Town driving with weekend upcountry trips
- AWD on a smaller budget
- Murram-ready200 mm of ground clearance handles murram, potholes and tall estate bumps.
- Parts easy to findSubaru spares are easy to find in Nairobi and major towns, and most mechanics know them.
Frequently asked questions
Mazda Demio or Subaru XV / Impreza — which is better?
The Mazda Demio is cheaper to buy and cheaper to fuel, and has cheaper parts. The Subaru XV / Impreza is more powerful and stronger on hills and when loaded, and copes better with bumps and murram. Choose the Demio for: first cars with a bit of style, town driving, low fuel costs. Choose the XV / Impreza for: young families and couples, town driving with weekend upcountry trips, aWD on a smaller budget.
Which is more fuel efficient, the Demio or the XV / Impreza?
The 1.3L 4-cyl Mazda Demio returns about 19 km/L (≈ KES 17,900/month for 1,500 km) and the 2.0L Boxer-4 Subaru XV / Impreza 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 Demio has 145 mm of ground clearance (FWD); the XV / Impreza has 200 mm (AWD). The XV / Impreza copes better with tall bumps, potholes and murram.
Which is cheaper to buy and maintain?
Typical prices: Mazda Demio KES 850K–1.4M, Subaru XV / Impreza KES 1.9M–2.9M. Parts: Demio Low cost — Mazda parts are reasonably available in Nairobi. XV / Impreza Medium cost — Subaru specialists are common in Nairobi.