Why I Love My Toyota Vitz; Ksh950 Fuel Gets Me From Nairobi to Naivasha

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 Wanjiku, a Nairobi-based professional, who shares what it’s like owning a 2017 Toyota Vitz.

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When I was shopping for my first car, I knew I didn’t want anything complicated, expensive to maintain, or fuel-hungry. I wanted a car that would make my day-to-day life easier — especially as a city mom with school runs and a busy schedule.

That’s how I ended up buying a 2017 Toyota Vitz for Ksh1.4 million. It wasn’t a childhood dream. It was a practical decision, and honestly, one I don’t regret. The Vitz is what I’d call the perfect starter car in Nairobi: reliable, economical, and easy to live with.

It Gets the Job Done 

The decision to buy the Vitz was defined by efficiency and necessity. It serves as the essential family support vehicle, a fuel-efficient machine dedicated to daily school drops, running essential city errands, and making weekend trips to church and family gatherings. Its reputation as an easy-to-maintain, good beginner car only cemented the choice.

I operate almost exclusively within Nairobi. From Monday to Friday, it handles the school commute, while the weekends are reserved for social and necessary urban errands. Its size and agility make it perfectly suited for the concrete jungle.

The cost of running the Vitz is one of its greatest advantages. It has an incredibly low appetite. I get a return of 19 kilometres per litre on the highway and 17 kilometres per litre in the city. This makes it very convenient for my wallet even when the fuel prices are going up. I always tell my friends of a story that showed me just how cheap the Vitz can get.

Earlier in the year, I drove from Nairobi to Naivasha for a work conference. I filled the tank to full capacity and refilled the tank when I got to Naivasha to see how much I had spent. I couldn’t believe it when the attendant asked me to pay Ksh946 bob!

Maintenance is equally simple. I do the regular engine service at 5,000 kilometres which comes after about four months. It costs me about Ksh5,000. The only recurring issue encountered has been standard wear and tear on tires, which is common for vehicles frequently driven in city conditions.

One aspect that defines the Vitz ownership experience is the incredible ease of sourcing spare parts. They are very easy, too easy to find. 

I Feel Like a Giant in My Own Car

Despite its near-perfect suitability for city life, there is one key area for improvement—and it’s a personal one. Being quite tall, I occasionally feel a noticeable lack of space. This is why I wish that the car would be a little bit bigger in length and length and height.

Yet, this is a minor trade-off compared to the major benefits the Vitz offers. It is a reliable, economical, and effortlessly practical vehicle that excels at its primary mission: keeping the wheels turning and the family moving across the city without fuss.

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