For a ride-hailing driver on Uber, Bolt or Little, fuel is the biggest cost that changes with every trip. The table ranks cars by what they cost per km in fuel. It uses figures from Kenyan drivers where we have them, and our estimates where we do not yet.
Cheapest cars to run per km
| # | Car | km/L | Per km | 3,000 km a month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suzuki Alto fuel consumption
658cc petrol · Estimate |
26.6 | KSh 8.52 | KSh 25,559 |
| 2 | Mazda Carol fuel consumption
658cc petrol · Estimate |
26.6 | KSh 8.52 | KSh 25,559 |
| 3 | Daihatsu Mira e:S fuel consumption
658cc petrol · Estimate |
25.3 | KSh 8.96 | KSh 26,866 |
| 4 | Toyota Corolla Fielder fuel consumption
1500cc hybrid · Estimate |
24.8 | KSh 9.16 | KSh 27,490 |
| 5 | Toyota Aqua fuel consumption
1500cc hybrid · Estimate |
24.8 | KSh 9.16 | KSh 27,490 |
| 6 | Honda Grace fuel consumption
1500cc hybrid · Estimate |
24.8 | KSh 9.16 | KSh 27,490 |
| 7 | Honda Insight fuel consumption
1500cc hybrid · Estimate |
24.6 | KSh 9.22 | KSh 27,651 |
| 8 | Nissan Note fuel consumption
1200cc hybrid · Estimate |
24.5 | KSh 9.27 | KSh 27,814 |
| 9 | Honda Shuttle fuel consumption
1500cc hybrid · Estimate |
24.5 | KSh 9.27 | KSh 27,814 |
| 10 | Toyota Corolla Axio fuel consumption
1500cc hybrid · Estimate |
24.3 | KSh 9.33 | KSh 27,978 |
Cars with low fuel consumption in Kenya: the full ranking.
What makes a good ride-hailing car
- A low cost per km. If you drive 3,000 km a month, every KSh 1 per km is KSh 3,000 a month.
- A hybrid engine. Hybrids lead the table because the electric motor does much of the work in slow traffic, where ride-hailing cars spend a lot of the day.
- Space for passengers and luggage. A saloon or station wagon with a proper boot suits airport trips.
- Parts and mechanics. The Fielder, Axio and Vitz have parts that are easy to find in Kenya.
- The platform's own rules. Uber, Bolt and Little each set rules on vehicle age, type and condition. Check them before you buy.
Best car for Uber business in Kenya: costs beyond fuel
Fuel is only one cost. Insurance, servicing, tyres and the platform's commission all come out of your earnings. A hybrid costs more to buy, so use Is a hybrid worth it? to see how long the fuel savings take to cover the difference.