I Bought a Ksh1.4M Axela as My 1st Car: Here’s What I Have Learnt After 3 Years

‍Welcome to the Money254 Car Series — where we spotlight car owners across Kenya and their experiences behind the wheel. From first-time buyers to seasoned motorists, we dig into the motivations, costs, lessons, and joys of owning different car models in Kenya today.

This week, we feature Hilda, a Nairobi-based professional who owns a Mazda Axela.

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This is my first car. When I started my car hunt back in 2022, I was playing it safe, leaning towards a common model like the Suzuki Swift. My main goal was just to be the first owner in Kenya of whatever I bought.

Then fate intervened, as it often does in a Nairobi traffic jam. One afternoon, stuck in the gridlock, a sleek hatchback pulled up next to me. It had this aggressive, sporty look that immediately caught my eye. 

I loved the sporty look and didn't look back. That crush led me to buy the imported 1500cc, Petrol engine model, which cost me Ksh 1.4 million.

From my experience, I believe the feel of your car matters. If you love driving it, you’ll take better care of it. But I have also learnt to check the numbers behind the looks.

Fuel Economy: The Engine That Pays for Itself

The Axela is my daily commuter for city life, though I take it for the occasional out-of-town drive. The typical driving environment is city roads, where its handling really shines. 

In heavy city driving, I comfortably get about 13.5 kilometres per litre (km/l). When I hit the highway, that figure shoots up beautifully. I recently drove from Nairobi to Nakuru and back, and for the whole round trip, I averaged an amazing 17.8 km/l.

The secret weapon here is the i-Stop feature. This technology automatically shuts off the engine when the car comes to a complete stop in traffic. If you are regularly stuck in Nairobi traffic, you will love this feature - an absolute money saver!

Axela Nation to the Rescue

One of the pleasant surprises of my ownership is the low cost of maintenance. I follow the recommended service interval of every 10,000 km or 6 months, which works out to twice a year.

The usual oil service runs me about Ksh8,000–9,000 at AutoXpress. I've been fortunate to have no major recurring repairs. 

Spare parts are surprisingly easy to source, partly thanks to the growing popularity of Mazda. Being part of the Axela Nation Car Group has also been a huge resource for finding trusted mechanics and parts suppliers.

In two years, the car has been very reliable. The most expensive repair I’ve had was changing the shocks and links just once, which cost about Ksh 25,000. Beyond that, the only recurring annoyance is changing the wipers frequently—a small price for clear visibility in our heavy rains and dusty conditions.

The Compromise: I Have to Dance Around a Bump, Pothole

If I had one complaint, it would be the ground clearance. The car’s low driving position makes cornering and high-speed handling feel incredibly precise and sporty—I absolutely love that. But the moment I have to drive off the tarmac and onto a rough country road, my anxiety spikes!

That said, the feeling of cruising smoothly on the highway instantly makes me forget the rough-road jitters. All in all, for a Ksh 1.4 million investment, the Mazda Axela has been an excellent first car.  It has taught me that I don't need to break the bank to own a vehicle I enjoy driving. 

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