Nissan Note vs Toyota Vitz: which should you buy?
Specs, prices, running costs and Kenyan-road suitability compared — Nissan Note 1.2 (E12) vs Toyota Vitz 1.3 (2014–2020).
The short answer
The Nissan Note is cheaper to buy, and copes better with bumps and murram. The Toyota Vitz is more powerful, stronger on hills and when loaded and more reliable by our estimate.
Side by side
| Nissan Note Nissan Note 1.2 (E12) | Toyota Vitz Toyota Vitz 1.3 (2014–2020) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | KES 800K–1.3M | KES 750K–1.4M |
| Power | 78 hp | 98 hp |
| Torque | 106 Nm | 121 Nm |
| Engine | 1.2L 3-cyl | 1.3L 4-cyl |
| Fuel economy | 19 km/L | 19 km/L |
| Fuel per month* | KES 17,900 | KES 17,900 |
| Ground clearance | 150 mm | 145 mm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
| Gearbox | CVT | CVT |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Parts cost | Low | Low |
| Reliability estimate | 4.4/5 | 4.7/5 |
*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 Note if…
- Town commuting
- Very low fuel costs
- Ride-hailing
- Fuel saver19 km/L — about KES 17,900 a month for 1,500 km at today’s pump price.
- Parts easy to findNissan spares are easy to find in Nairobi and major towns, and most mechanics know them.
Choose the Vitz if…
- First-time drivers
- Nairobi commuting and town errands
- Uber/Bolt on a tight budget
- Very low fuel and parts costs
- Fuel saver19 km/L — about KES 17,900 a month for 1,500 km at today’s pump price.
- Parts everywhereToyota spares are sold in every town and on Kirinyaga Road, and every mechanic knows them.
Frequently asked questions
Nissan Note or Toyota Vitz — which is better?
The Nissan Note is cheaper to buy, and copes better with bumps and murram. The Toyota Vitz is more powerful, stronger on hills and when loaded and more reliable by our estimate. Choose the Note for: town commuting, very low fuel costs, ride-hailing. Choose the Vitz for: first-time drivers, nairobi commuting and town errands, uber/Bolt on a tight budget.
Which is more fuel efficient, the Note or the Vitz?
The 1.2L 3-cyl Nissan Note returns about 19 km/L (≈ KES 17,900/month for 1,500 km) and the 1.3L 4-cyl Toyota Vitz about 19 km/L (≈ KES 17,900/month), at KES 226.96 per litre of petrol (EPRA Nairobi, 15 Oct – 14 Nov 2026).
Which is better for Kenyan roads?
The Note has 150 mm of ground clearance (FWD); the Vitz has 145 mm (FWD). The Note copes better with tall bumps, potholes and murram.
Which is cheaper to buy and maintain?
Typical prices: Nissan Note KES 800K–1.3M, Toyota Vitz KES 650K–1.4M. Parts: Note Low cost — Common in Kenya; parts are easy to find. Vitz Low cost — Parts are everywhere — Kirinyaga Road, every town — and any mechanic can service it.