Top 10 Cheapest SUVs To Maintain In Kenya For 2024

Don't let maintenance costs break the bank! Check out our list of the top 10 cheapest SUVs to maintain in Kenya for 2024.

Emmanuel

Mar 18, 2024 - 10:51

Mar 18, 2024 - 09:51

Top 10 Cheapest SUVs To Maintain In Kenya For 2024

SUVs are becoming increasingly popular in Kenya, and for a good reason. They offer a comfortable and spacious ride, with the added benefits of a raised seating position and excellent off-road capabilities. However, when purchasing an SUV, it's essential to consider the initial purchase price and ongoing maintenance costs.

To help you make an informed decision, we've analyzed all the SUVs currently on the market in Kenya to identify which models will cost you the least to maintain each year. We've considered average costs for MOT, Full Service, Interim Service, and Aircon Regas prices.

Cheapest SUVs To Maintain in Kenya

1. 2020 Hyundai Venue - KES 2.6 million

Topping our list is the 2020 Hyundai Venue. This subcompact crossover offers a long-standing plus-size warranty of 10 years or 100,000 miles on the engine and transmission and five years or 60,000 miles on most other components. Additionally, Hyundai recently announced a benefit of three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance at your dealer, making it the least expensive SUV to maintain. According to EPA estimates, the Venue is an excellent choice for those on a budget, with a starting price of just KES 2.6 million and an impressive 32 mpg in mixed driving.

2. 2020 Nissan Rogue - KES 3.8 million

Another high-value, fuel-efficient SUV is the 2020 Nissan Rogue. This compact crossover is one of Kenya's best-selling vehicles and offers user-friendly controls, standout interior spaciousness for its class, and many standard safety features. The Rogue is a leader regarding steady, reliable value and features options like all-wheel-drive and a semi-autonomous driving system called ProPilot. With a starting price of KES 3.8 million and an impressive 30 mpg in mixed driving, according to EPA estimates, the Rogue is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a compact SUV packed with value.

3. 2020 Subaru Outback - KES 4.9 million

The Subaru Outback is a practical and comfortable rival to more clearly defined crossover SUVs. It offers standard all-wheel drive, generous 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and a reasonably roomy interior. Additionally, it has been around for 25 years, erasing the distinction between a crossover and a station wagon, showing that the difference is mainly theoretical. With a starting price of KES 4.9 million and an impressive 27 mpg in mixed driving, according to EPA estimates, the Outback is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a spacious and practical SUV.

4. 2020 Toyota Highlander - KES 5.2 million

With three rows of seating and room for up to eight people, the 2020 Toyota Highlander is a crossover SUV that should be among the least expensive to maintain. The Highlander has exceptional fuel efficiency and a superb dependability rating, in addition to the Toyota guarantee of two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance we discussed previously.

The Highlander, which has undergone a recent redesign for 2020, is equipped as standard with a potent yet respectably fuel-efficient V6 engine with EPA ratings of up to 24 mpg in mixed driving. This is impressive for a swift and roomy crossover. Even better is the Highlander Hybrid, which boasts an incredible 36 mpg rating for its four-cylinder gas-electric drivetrain. You won't find another eight-passenger SUV that costs less to operate. The Highlander isn't the cheapest crossover you can buy, and some rivals are roomier.

5. 2020 Toyota RAV4 - KES 3.6 million

Toyota offers free scheduled maintenance for a similar amount of time as Hyundai, in this case, two years or 25,000 miles. That eliminates the initial phase of your ownership experience. The company's best-selling RAV4 small crossover helps keep costs down by achieving among the best ratings in its class of 30 mpg in mixed driving with its gasoline-only engine. There is just an eight-speed conventional automatic transmission; neither a dual-clutch nor a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available.

A CVT is an option for the RAV4, but it's part of a powertrain update that lowers running expenses. We're referring to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, a gas-electric vehicle that increases economy to an impressive 40 mpg. Furthermore, Toyota has demonstrated the extraordinary dependability of its hybrid technology. With a gasoline engine, the 2020 RAV4 starts at KES 3 million.

6. 2021 Kia Seltos - KES 3.2 million

Although Kia doesn't offer the new free maintenance that Hyundai does, the corporate cousin of the Korean automaker does provide the same warranty: five years or 60,000 miles for the bumper and ten years or 100,000 miles for the engine and transmission. It is a long time before you have to pay for anything other than oil changes and new tires.

The all-new 2021 Kia Seltos is a subcompact crossover that stands out as a top value in the brand's portfolio. It feels and looks more upscale than most of its rivals and more like a proper SUV than a slightly raised hatchback. It can achieve 31 mpg in mixed driving, according to the EPA.

Most Seltos versions feature a tried-and-true 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 146 horsepower and a continuously variable automatic transmission. However, enthusiasts may opt for the optional turbocharged engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission. Compared to the sophisticated turbo engine, this equipment is more basic, costs less, and offers superior fuel efficiency.

7. 2020 Jeep Wrangler - KES 3.8 million

More so than its long-term financial value, the Jeep Wrangler is renowned for its rock-climbing and mud-dominating off-road ability. It's one of the priciest mid-size SUVs you can purchase without a luxury label, with prices starting close to KES 3,716,708 for a two-door model with basic amenities.

If you're looking for something more competent than a light-duty crossover, the rugged Wrangler has also become remarkably fuel-efficient, which is fantastic news. Its current facelift has enhanced aerodynamics, and the list of available powertrains now includes astonishingly frugal four-cylinder and diesel engines.

The Wrangler now achieves up to 25 mpg in mixed driving, outperforming comparable Jeep crossovers. While depreciation is not the focus of this essay, it should be noted that the Wrangler often retains value exceptionally well – even at ages when regular SUVs would be nearly useless.

8. 2020 BMW X1 - KES 7 million

Even though luxury cars are notorious for being expensive, they occasionally come with benefits like complimentary scheduled maintenance. Look at the German automaker BMW, which offers three years or 36,000 additional miles of coverage. This means the typical BMW lease customer won't have to pay for tire rotations or oil changes.

Even after those three years have passed, the subcompact crossover we've chosen for today, the 2020 BMW X1, shouldn't be expensive to maintain. Although it uses premium fuel, its four-cylinder engine achieves a decent 27 mpg and has a solid dependability record.

Additionally, you receive a roomier interior than most rivals and the other benefits of a BMW, including agile handling, quick acceleration, and a high-tech interior. But beware of optional "sport" kits with pricier brakes and tires.

9. 2021 Nissan Armada - KES 6 million

The 2021 Nissan Armada wants to remain competitive against other sizable three-row SUVs with a new look and improved features. It competes for attention with the revamped Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon, which jointly rule the sector because of their unequaled appeal, thanks to its remodeled mug and a scattering of stylistic upgrades. The Nissan fights back with additional standard driver assistance features, a more extensive touchscreen infotainment system, and marginally more significant maximum towing capacities.

The Armada's completely independent suspension continues to offer a comfortable ride, and its basic V-8 has a little bit more power than before. Unlike the Chevy, GMC, or Ford Expedition, the 2021 Armada warrants attention despite its poor fuel economy and lack of a long-wheelbase option.

It has a powerful 5.6-liter V-8 with a civilized seven-speed automatic transmission is the Armada's only powertrain. The engine makes up to 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. It pairs with either rear- or all-wheel drive; every model can tow 8500 pounds.

10. 2021 Subaru Forester - KES 6 million

The Forester compact SUV perfectly fits Subaru's reputation for adventure and standard all-wheel drive. The Forester features a more SUV-like driving position, more expansive windows for improved outward sight, and a little bit more ground clearance, even if it appears to rival the brand's Outback station wagon in terms of usefulness and size.

The Forester's interior is the epitome of reasonable, with lots of functionality and a dash of fashionable flare. Under the hood is a four-cylinder engine that offers sufficient power and good fuel efficiency. The Subaru Forester's main competitors, the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 offer more potent engines and greater driver engagement. Still, customers who are won over by its other qualities won't be offended by the Subaru's comfortable ride and easygoing handling.

The same 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder engine, with 182 horsepower and a towing capacity of 1500 pounds, powers all Forester versions. Power from the engine travels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to Subaru's renowned all-wheel-drive system.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when purchasing an SUV in Kenya, it's essential to consider more than just the purchase price. Maintenance costs should also be considered to ensure that you don't end up in a money pit.