2025 in Motion: A Look at Kenya’s Automotive Market and the Road Ahead
Car prices, electric vehicles, and financing trends reshaped Kenya’s automotive market in 2025. Here’s a full review and what to expect in 2026.
As we drive towards the sunset of 2025, car prices in Kenya and other markets continue to rise. Country specific importation rules, currency fluctuations, and rising global production costs mean that most vehicles landing at Mombasa Port are now 2019 models and above for the local market.
This has created a scramble for slightly older models from 2016 to 2018, as buyers seek slightly lower cost units that are gently used or freshly imported. For many of these buyers, flexible car financing options like higher purchase arrangements with dealers or CBK regulated financiers like Autochek have made it possible to bridge the affordability gap, breathing life into far fetched dreams of low income earners buying slightly newer, better vehicles and pay in manageable monthly installments.
Dealerships across major towns like Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, Mombasa and others, report that more customers are going for financing options over paying in cash, reflecting a growing confidence in structured auto finance.
2025 also marked the end of several iconic models beloved by Kenyan motorists, like the Nissan GT-R, Subaru Legacy, Mitsubishi Mirage, Audi A4, Jaguar XF, Ford Escape, and Volvo S60.
While these models have strong nostalgia value, automakers have shifted their focus to hybrids, crossovers and compact SUVs, aligning with the global movement toward fuel efficiency, versatility, and lower emissions.
For dealers and buyers alike, Autochek’s dealer network has become a vital hub to explore updated models that match changing market trends.
Compact SUVs and crossovers have officially become Kenya’s best-selling vehicle segment in 2025. Models such as the Toyota CHR, Honda Vezel, Mitsubishi RVR, Nissan Dualis/Qashqai, Mazda CX-3, and Mercedes-Benz GLA 180 continue to increase on demand.
The appeal lies in their relatively smaller size, engine size, improved fuel economy, and good ground clearance which are perfect for Kenya’s varied terrains. These vehicles blend practicality and style, making them attractive to both urban professionals and small families.
Kenya’s electric vehicle (EV) movement gained real traction in 2025. With reduced import duty and excise tax on hybrid and fully electric vehicles, more brands entered the local market.
New arrivals such as Henry Electric (targeting ride-hailing fleets), BYD, Nissan Leaf Dolphin, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Neta V have introduced fresh options for green-minded buyers.
However, while Nairobi and Mombasa are seeing an increase in charging stations, the network outside major towns remains limited.
Car lovers are set to win big, with plans underway to open the eagerly awaited assembly of the Jetour vehicles in Mombasa which is set to give the region more options for game-changing SUVs that are built for our roads, with smart tech, bold design, and real off-road capabilities.
Perhaps the biggest shift of 2025 is how car financing has transformed vehicle ownership. Cars are no longer a privilege for the rich only, today, thousands of Kenyans are leveraging regulated financing platforms like Autochek’s to get pre-qualified online in minutes, and drive away in vehicles that match their budgets and lifestyles.
Whether it’s a fuel-efficient crossover, a family-friendly SUV, or a fully electric vehicle, Autochek’s financing options allow buyers to choose cars that meet their needs, and pay in affordable installments that work with their income flow.
This democratization of car ownership has made Autochek a vital link between consumers, dealers, and financiers across Kenya and the wider East African market.
As 2025 winds down, Kenya’s car market feels more alive and forward-looking than it has in years. Buyers are sharper, financing options are opening up, and global manufacturers are paying closer attention to Africa’s potential.
The next big shifts will come from three places: electric mobility, local vehicle assembly, and smarter digital financing systems. These are areas where Autochek is already deeply invested, helping shape what tomorrow’s car ownership will look like.
For Kenyan drivers, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of more choice, more convenience, and more innovation on the road. And with Autochek pushing to make buying and owning a car simpler and more transparent, the journey ahead looks promising, maybe even a little bit exciting.
Nov 14, 2025
