I Wanted a Family Car; Here's Why I Chose the Ksh1.6M Toyota Sienta

When I started looking for another car, I wasn't chasing speed or luxury. My priorities were simple. I wanted a practical family car that would be affordable to run, easy to maintain and spacious enough for my growing family.

After comparing several options, I settled on a 2018 Toyota Sienta, which I bought locally for between Ksh1.7 million.

Looking back, it has been one of the best purchases I've made.

Also Read: Why I Wouldn't Trade This Ksh2.3M Mazda CX-3 Ride for Anything Else 

Why I Chose the Toyota Sienta

The biggest reason I bought the Sienta was its practicality. Its 1.5-litre engine promised excellent fuel economy. Beyond that, the power sliding doors immediately caught my attention.

Anyone who has parked in Nairobi's crowded shopping malls or squeezed into tight parking spaces knows how frustrating opening conventional doors can be. With the Sienta, the sliding doors make getting children in and out of the car much easier without worrying about hitting the next vehicle.

Another feature that sold me was the flexible interior. The rear seats fold flat, creating a surprisingly large cargo area whenever I need to carry luggage or bulky shopping. As someone with children, having that flexibility has made a huge difference.

I also wanted peace of mind when it came to maintenance. Toyota's reputation for reliability and the easy availability of spare parts in Kenya gave me confidence that ownership wouldn't become a headache.

The car does almost everything I need it to do. During the week, it takes me to work around Nairobi, navigating city traffic with ease thanks to its compact size.

On weekends, it becomes the family car for shopping trips and other errands.

Whenever the festive season arrives, it comfortably handles the long journey to Kericho with my family and luggage on board.

It may not look like an SUV, but it has never disappointed me when it comes to comfort for long-distance trips.

Also Read: My Experience Owning the Ksh3.5M 2017 Subaru Outback 

Fuel Economy and Maintenance

The 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine averages around 17Km/L.

Routine servicing is carried out every 5,000 kilometres and typically costs between Ksh6,000 and Ksh9,000, depending on the work involved.

Like many cars driven on Kenyan roads, I have had to replace stabiliser links and upgrade the suspension spacers because of the rough roads and numerous speed bumps.

One maintenance item I never ignore is the CVT transmission. The gearbox oil needs changing every 40,000 kilometres.

One of the reasons I was comfortable buying a Toyota was the availability of spare parts.

Also Read: How I Saved Ksh600K When Buying My Subaru XV

What I Would Change

As much as I enjoy owning the Sienta, there is one thing I wish Toyota had improved. The ground clearance.

It is simply too low for many Kenyan roads. I have to slow down significantly over speed bumps, and even then, the underside occasionally scrapes.

For that reason, I rarely take it to my rural home unless it is the festivities.