My Ksh1.3M Toyota Axio Is Cheap to Run, But Roads Expose Its 4 Biggest Flaws

When I was looking for a car, I wasn't interested in buying the most luxurious or powerful vehicle I could afford. I wanted something practical, economical and cheap to maintain.

That search led me to a 2014 Toyota Axio, which I bought second-hand locally for Ksh1.3 million in February 2025.

For me, the decision was heavily influenced by friends and local mechanics who repeatedly recommended Toyota's 1.5-litre 1NZ petrol engine. It has a reputation for being reliable and relatively inexpensive to maintain, which was exactly what I wanted.

More than a year into ownership, the Axio has largely lived up to those expectations. 

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Why I Chose a Non-Hybrid Axio

There are plenty of reasons why the Toyota Axio is popular among Kenyan motorists, but my decision came down to practicality. I specifically chose the non-hybrid 1.5-litre version.

The hybrid version was tempting because of its potential fuel savings, but I was concerned about the eventual cost of replacing the hybrid battery. I preferred the simplicity of a conventional petrol engine, even if it meant giving up some fuel savings.

The Axio also offered something else I valued: space. Its approximately 500-litre boot gives me enough room for luggage and other items without making the car feel unnecessarily large for city driving.

I also bought the car locally because I wanted a faster purchasing process rather than going through the process of importing one myself.

My Axio is primarily a city car. I use it to commute to work and handle my day-to-day errands. On weekends, it becomes the car I use for outings and other activities.

Its relatively compact size makes it easy to navigate Nairobi, while the fuel economy means I don't have to spend as much at the petrol station as I would with a larger engine.

The car isn't designed to be exciting, but that isn't what I bought it for.

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Fuel Economy Is One of Its Biggest Strengths

The Axio is powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder 1NZ-FE petrol engine. My overall average is around 15.5 km/l. In heavy Nairobi traffic, I get approximately 13–14 km/l.

On the highway, however, the car becomes significantly more economical, returning between 17 and 19 km/l on longer trips.

Maintenance Has Been Manageable

I carry out minor servicing every 5,000 kilometres, which costs between Ksh4,500 and Ksh7,000.

I have not had to carry out any major repairs since buying the car. Based on my research and conversations with other owners, however, major servicing at around 15,000 kilometres can cost approximately Ksh10,000–Ksh15,000.

The CVT transmission also requires attention. The CVT fluid should be changed at around 40,000 kilometres, with the service costing approximately Ksh8,000–Ksh12,000.

Like most cars driven on Kenyan roads, the Axio can also develop suspension-related problems. Front suspension components can cost around Ksh12,000–Ksh20,000 to replace.

One of the biggest advantages of owning an Axio in Kenya is how easy it is to find spare parts.

The 1.5-litre 1NZ engine and various components are shared with other popular cars.

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The Four Things I Wish Were Better

As much as I like the Axio, there are several things that I wish Toyota had improved.

The Axio has four main compromises. Its low 135mm ground clearance makes Kenyan roads challenging, while the basic hard-plastic interior feels dated. Its popularity also makes parts such as mirrors and wheel caps theft targets. Finally, the CVT prioritises fuel economy over performance, making highway overtaking sluggish and noisy.