When you want to purchase a family car, you are mostly looking at practicality, safety, decent performance, reliability and cost of purchase.
The cars that made it to the top of the list during the 2019 Cheki Car Awards were:
- Toyota Vanguard
- Toyota Noah
- Toyota Alphard
Toyota Vanguard
The Vanguard is the odd one out as it belongs to the soft-roader category. However, it has 7 seats (5+2) thus many respondents voted for it. What distinguishes it from the rest is the fact that it has a higher ground clearance which enables it to traverse rough terrains with ease.
It comes with a 2.4-litre petrol engine which has decent performance. It is paired to an all-wheel-drive equipped 6-speed transmission, making it a capable murram eater. In terms of safety, it comes with 6 airbags standard, ABS and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).
When it comes to maintenance, minor service costs Ksh 10,000 while major service will set you back Ksh 20-25,000. Its current retail price is about Ksh 2.3 Million. View Toyota Vanguard for sale.
Toyota Noah
Toyota Noah is the most affordable people mover with a retail price ranging from Ksh 1.2-15 million. Many of the votes were in favour of the Noah as it is widely used by large families.
The Noah is powered by a 2000cc ‘Valvematic’ petrol engine that has about 112KW/200Nm. It comes with an all-wheel-drive option and 6-speed automatic capabilities. The strongest point for the Noah is the practical cabin.
The floor sits low and the cabin is tall therefore creating an airy and spacious atmosphere. The seats are flexible and can be configured in many ways to ensure the utilization of space. Safety-wise, it has multiple airbags, three-point seat belts, ABS and stability control that come standard.
Considering it has a lower capacity engine compared to its competitors, it is fuel-efficient. It consumes an average of 7L/100 Kilometers. While minor service will cost you about Ksh 10,000, major service charges stand at Ksh. 20,000. View Toyota Noah For sale.
Toyota Alphard
The Alphard was the clear winner in this category based on the votes garnered. Its retail price is about Ksh 1.8 million. It comes with all the bells and whistles you can imagine. Many people love how it has a luxurious interior.
It comes with soft upholstery, comfortable seats and is quite eye-catching. It’s powered by either a 2.4-litre petrol or in some markets punchy 3.5-litre V6 petrol. It is the safest people mover with multiple airbags, sturdy safety cell and stability control.
It is the most expensive car to maintain in the lot with minor and major service costing Ksh 15000 and 30000 respectively. View Toyota Alphard for Sale.
Summary
This highly competitive segment has plenty of options to pick but the Alphard took the lead during the awards ceremony.