Gone are the days when you needed to be a millionaire to own a car. Given that you can get a new car costing under 500k, small-scale business owners, civil servants, and even students can now drive. As a result, we’ve decided to compile a list of new cars under 500K in Kenya.
There are many car models with varied prices. Several cars in Kenya are cheap; with less than Ksh. 500k, you can acquire a new car. Besides the budget, the cars are fuel-efficient, easy to operate and maintain, spacious, fast, reliable, and comfortable.
The 7 new cars under 500K in Kenya are:
- Nissan Tiida
- Toyota Vitz
- Nissan March
- Volkswagen Polo
- Subaru Impreza
- Mazda Demio
- Honda Civic
The table below shows new cars you can get under 500K in Kenya:
| Vehicle | Price | Mileage Per Liter |
| Nissan Tiida | Ksh. 200k to 430k | 16-20km |
| Toyota Vitz | Ksh. 400k | 18-26km |
| Nissan March | Ksh 300k to 500k | 18-23km |
| Volkswagen Polo | Ksh. 445k | 16-17km |
| Subaru Impreza | From Ksh. 400k | 15-20km |
| Mazda Demio | Ksh. 350k | 16-30km |
| Honda Civic | Ksh. 490k | 16-25km |
1. Nissan Tiida
Nissan Tiida is a continuation of the 1996 Sunny Nissan and is among the cheapest cars in Kenya. Tiida is a Japanese word meaning sun. The vehicle dates back to 2004. The car comes in a small-medium compact size, making it suitable for families.
Nissan Tiida has a smooth-running engine that’s fuel-economic. The car is presumed to consume a liter of fuel every 16-20km. It has a small-medium size that is suitable for small families.
Tiida also has a great interior and spacious cabin space. It has an exquisitely designed exterior with a rear spoiler for aerodynamic efficiency, roof rails for carrying loads, and alloy wheels. The car can also easily navigate good all-weather and tarmac roads.
Tiida comes with 1.5liter and 1.8liter engine options and an automatic 4-speed transmission. The car cost between Ksh 450k- Ksh 700k depending on the generation. With between Ksh 200k to 430k, you can get yourself a 1.5-liter 2009 Nissan Tiida model.
2. Toyota Vitz
Toyota Vitz’s popularity is rapidly growing in Kenya. Due to its simplicity and automatic transmission system, Vitz is quite well known in Kenya among new drivers, learners, and students owing to its automatic transmission system and simplicity. The model dates back to 1999.
The vehicle is fuel efficient, consuming a liter per 18-26km. Some of Vitz’s best features are speed and light control, high-quality sound with Bluetooth connectivity, and power locks for easy locking and unlocking.
The latest models come with an all-wheel drive, whereas the original ones are front-wheel drives, demonstrating the model’s advancement over the past years. The vehicle comes in 3 and 5-door options and has a sporty exterior look.
Like any other Toyota car, it has a low maintenance cost, and its spare parts are available at local Toyota outlets. With ksh400k, you can get yourself a Toyota Vitz.
Also Read: 7 Toyota Cars Under 500K in Kenya
3. Nissan March
Nissan March is a Nissan product by the Japanese manufacturer. It’s the least expensive Nissan car available in the Kenya auto market, targeting Nissan enthusiasts who cannot afford the more expensive versions.
Nissan March has a 1.2 liter and 1.5-liter engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission system and is typically fuel-efficient. On average, the car consumes a liter per 18-23km.
The vehicle saves on fuel and space, given that its rear seat folds flat to provide extra storage space. A 2013 automatic model will cost between Ksh 300k to Ksh 500k.
4. Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen Polo is among Kenya’s best, safest, and most reliable vehicles under 500k worth every coin. The car has had six versions since it was introduced to the Kenya market in 2010 and has a solid track record.
The Volkswagen Polo offers a luxurious interior with a spacious and comfy cabin. It offers outstanding safety features, radar cruise control, excellent performance and handling, and cutting-edge infotainment.
The vehicle is reliable, with no major widespread mechanical issues reported. Volkswagen Polo comes in 1.0-liter and 1.2 liters engine options. With Ksh 445k, you can get an automatic 2009 version of Volkswagen Polo.
5. Subaru Impreza
If you disregard everything you read in Njoki Chege’s column about this car and the people who drive it and focus on its details with an open mind, you’ll realize that Subaru Impreza is an amazing vehicle.
Subaru Impreza was launched to the automotive market in 1992 and has seen four versions since then. It’s available either in a 5-door hatchback or a 4-door saloon version. The car’s interior is roomy and comfortable, and its exterior styling is impressive.
It has a sports car-like vibe with a combination of luxurious material finishes. Subaru Impreza offers Impressive features, including raised seats for a good road view, LCDs on the instrument panel, and contemporary safety measures. All this for a very affordable price.
Subaru Imprezas are Kenya’s nicest and the best vehicle under 500k. It comes with 1.5 liter, 1.8liter, or 2.5liter engine options. A good Subaru Impreza will cost Ksh 400k upwards, depending on the car’s model year.
6. Mazda Demio
Currently, Mazda Demio is on its 5th generation. However, the most common generation are the third and fourth. Mazda Demio graced the Kenyan automobile market in 1996.
The third version won the World Car of the Year in 2008, while the fourth version won the Japanese Car of the Year Award from 2014 to 2018. Mazda Demio has a 5-seater capacity making it a family car.
Its affordability, maintenance, and spare parts availability make it one of Kenya’s best car options available under Ksh 500k. Whether you need a vehicle for personal or business needs, Demio will serve you well with minimal issues. Its durable, reliable and works well with no significant mechanical widespread problems reported.
You can fold its back seats to get more interior storage space. This vehicle is fuel efficient since it uses a liter every 16-30km depending on the generation. The Mazda Demio comes in various colors and offers great safety and ride control systems, including ABS brakes.
It also comes with 1.0liter, 1.3liter, and 1.5liter engine capacities, available in 4WD or 2WD options. With Ksh 350k, you can get yourself a 2004 Mazda Demio version.
7. Honda Civic
Honda Civic is available as a 4-door sedan or a 3-door or 5-door hatchback. Its 1972 subcompact version has since been superseded with a 2000 compact version. It has a simple styling but comfortable and spacious interior with a boot space that’s also decent.
Honda Civic has a unique idle stop feature that automatically turns the engines off in traffic and saves fuel. A 2015 model comes with a .5-liter turbo petrol engine or a 1.5-liter petrol engine in 2WD, fused to a 6-speed CVT or manual transmission.
A good model of Honda Civic costs Ksh 500k.
Bottom Line
Nowadays, with less than Ksh 500k, you are guaranteed to get a new car in Kenya. However, when deciding to buy a car, don’t base your car option on cost only.
Consider other factors. Ensure the vehicle you want is fuel-economic and reliable, and its spare parts are available in local spare parts outlets. That way, you will spend less to purchase the car and less on maintenance costs and fuel. I hope you’ll get a car of choice from this list of new cars under 500K in Kenya.
