Car of the Month : Nissan X-Trail - A Nissan for the masses!

Fleet • May 24, 2024
car hire nairobi
car hire comparison
car hire kenya
luxury car rental
long term car rental

Nissan has quite a large range of cars, from really small ones like the Note to SUVs or even the big pickup truck, Navara. Don’t forget that you can read our reviews for Note, uke and Navara on our website. Now we’ll continue with our review to the 2018 X-Trail and hopefully we’ll be able to hire or buy and drive

So let’s start with the X-Trail. The Nissan X-Trail 2018,  which is the highest trim you can choose, comes with almost every option available for this car.


The X-Trail we had the chance to test-drive came in a Dark Brown color and to be honest, it fits perfectly and let me tell you why. I see this car as a family car, not a fun one and if you ask me, it looks good and I don’t really think you can say it copies some other brand, but it looks a lot like its little brother, Qashqai.

Since we’re talking about the exterior, let's talk about the headlights. They are full LED and the visibility is awesome during the night. Also the tailgate is powered, it takes forever to open or close but it has a button that can deactivate it and you can open or close it manually. Continuing with the exterior, I really liked the 19 inch wheels and they are the perfect size for this car – they look good and they don’t sacrifice the comfort.


Moving to performance, Nissan made some more options available for the X-Trail compared to the Qashqai. We had the 2.0 dCi engine, 177 HP with the X-Tronic transmission, which is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and also equipped with All Mode 4x4-i.

Now, 177 HP doesn’t sound too much for a car this big and yes, it could use around 200 HP to be honest, but the engine felt really good and if we ignore the CVT lag, it accelerates decently for an SUV (10 seconds to 100 km/h). The X-Trail also comes with one petrol 1.6 engine, 163 HP and Manual Transmission, 1.6 diesel engine with 130 HP, 2WD or 4WD, Manual or CVT. But if you want to buy this car, I totally recommend the 2.0 dCi X-Tronic 4WD model as it has over 1.5-tonnes and if you load a lot of stuff inside of it, it can get really heavy.


The driving experience was ok, I mean this is not a sporty car and you won’t get too much feedback in the steering wheel, but it is comfortable and I think this is what people are looking for if they buy an X-Trail. We took this car on some bad roads and let me tell you, it felt really comfortable. As I said, it is not sporty and if you go too fast, you’ll feel quite a lot of body roll and it will understeer, but if you want to go fast, don’t buy this car.

Talking about the driving experience, there are 4 cameras around the car that give you a 360 degrees view, so even if it is a big car, it will be easy to park. Also, the Tekna version comes equipped with a lot of safety equipments like High Beam Assistant, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Park Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and some other mandatory electronic assists.


Moving to the interior, I can’t really say it’s a special one, but once you start looking around, you’ll find some nice features like heated steering wheel, heated front and back seats, dual zone climate control, a decent sized 7-inch infotainment screen and a perfect steering wheel (I really like the steering wheel).

The seats are really comfortable and the leather was perforated, so they felt really good. The material around the cabin is quite nice, I mean, it is better than I expected as it is soft touch material almost everywhere in the cabin, with a few exceptions where you’ll find hard plastics, but you don’t really touch those areas.


This car was also equipped with a panoramic sunroof and an automatic shade which was great. The opening is not so big, but it is enough to get some fresh air inside. It doesn’t have any wind protection, so when you go over 80 kmh, it gets really noisy inside if you don’t close the panoramic roof.


Moving to the infotainment, let’s just say that it is really simple to use and it does the job, but it misses Apple Car Play, Android Auto and a better screen with better graphics. Don’t get me wrong, most of the people that will buy this car will be happy with it as it also has Bluetooth connectivity, USB socket and DAB Radio. Also, the Tekna version comes with Bose sound system which sounds really good. The sound system features a subwoofer in the spare wheel and in the front seats you can’t really hear it as it is far behind in the car, but don’t worry, the other speakers will do a decent enough job.


There is huge amount of room in the back and the rear seats are adjustable, so there’s nothing I can really complain regarding the back seats. The boot space is also pretty huge with over 500 liters and it can go up to almost 2000 liters. Also the boot has some dividers and you can also lower the floor of the boot, which is awesome as you can get even more space.


3 things I really like about the X-Trail:

1.      If you can’t tell so far, the comfort that it offers.

2.      The looks – it looks like a family car and that's exactly what it is.

3.      The 4WD system which worked great in off-road environment.

By Critical Mass July 22, 2025
Cycling offers so many benefits for adults—and it’s never too late to start riding. Here’s exactly how to get started. 1. Gear Up: Bike, Fit & Safety Choose the right bike : Make sure your bike fits—stand over it and ensure you can comfortably reach handlebars and brakes. Adjust it : Lower the seat so your feet touch the ground initially . Prioritize safety : Always wear a proper-fitting helmet, gloves, and reflective gear, especially in Nairobi's morning or evening traffic. 2. Find a Learning Community in Nairobi Consider these reputable local instructors and programs: Bike it or Hike It : Offers beginner sessions for adults—3 to 5 session courses, group rides, and family-friendly routes. They’ll even come to your location for training. Contact: 0726 729 737 . Nairobi Bike School : Structured lessons, equipment provided. Contact: 0738 196 843 . Cycling Accessories & Parts (CAP) : Lessons + rentals + gear advice. Budget ~KSh 1,800/session and bike hire ~KSh1 500 if you just want to refresh. Direct contact through 0798154123 or https://www.facebook.com/cyclingaccessoriesandparts/ Bike Park Kenya : Hands-on mountain biking in Tigoni—perfect to learn in a safe off-road environment . Critical Mass Nairobi : Social group rides monthly—great for real-life traffic practice in a supportive crowd . 3. Learn the Fundamentals (Adapted from Bicycling’s 6‑step method): Mount/dismount practice : Lean bike lightly, brake, step on/off confidently. Braking drills : Walk next to the bike and practice even, gradual braking to build control . Balance & glide : Scoot with your feet, hoist feet up and glide—stay balanced for ~3 seconds before pedaling . Vision : Look forward—not down—to maintain line and stability . Pedal launch : Start with one foot at 2 o’clock on the pedal; push and bring the other foot onboard . 4. Practice on Safe, Scenic Routes Once basics are mastered, ride on gentle, low-traffic Nairobi routes: Karura Forest : 5–15 km loops through greenery, waterfalls, wildlife. Bikes available to rent .You can get a guide from Bike it or Hike it at Kes 1800 for 2 hours. Contact them through 0726 729 737 Nairobi Arboretum : Calm 3 km loops perfect for mastering turns in a park environment . Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary : 5–10 km mixed terrain trails, great for balancing on slight inclines . Karen & Langata routes : 20–30 km leisure rides through quiet neighborhoods and coffee country . Nairobi National Park perimeter : ~35 km for confident learners—high chance of wildlife sightings . 5. Join Events & Ride Sociably Group rides foster learning and motivation: Monthly Critical Mass tours —fun, communal city riding . Loop Gravel Series & family-friendly rides in Tigoni, Jubilee Race, and others—all beginner-inclusive . Cycling & beer tours around Karura for social riders who want to balance fun and fitness. 6. Stay Consistent & Build Skills Ride often : Aim for at least 2–3 rides weekly to improve balance, endurance, and confidence. Use training plans : Consider beginner-friendly plans like Bicycling’s 4–8 week base-building regimen for structure . Your trainer will give you a plan book if keen to master the skills. Maintain your bike : Regularly check brakes, gears, and tires. Shops like CAP, Probike Kenya, Spin Kings, Cycle World, Velokart offer maintenance and tuning . Have a mechanic from 0798154123 or https://www.facebook.com/cyclingaccessoriesandparts/ check your bike on site or off site. 7. Progress at Your Pace Start slow—fresh air, gentle paths, safe instruction. Advance gradually—longer rides, light hills, group rides. Celebrate milestones—first glide, first solo loop, first organized ride. Stay patient—remember, adult learners sometimes fall, but practice and encouragement go a long way . Final Thoughts Learning to cycle in Nairobi is not just about acquiring a skill—it’s an entry into a vibrant, supportive community and eco-friendly lifestyle. Gear up, start small, find local mentors, and choose safe, enjoyable routes. Soon, you'll be gliding confidently through Karura Forest, navigating city streets with ease, and joining group rides like a pro. Happy pedaling! 🚴‍♀️🌿
By Riderental blogs July 21, 2025
The African digital lending space is full of contradictions right now. 📈 M-Kopa just sold over 1 million smartphones . 📊 Watu Credit hit 3 million financed devices . ❌ Meanwhile, Wabeh is scaling down in Kenya. 🤝 Engage Capital is acquiring Lipa Later , which has had its own struggles. So, what gives? Many point fingers at Kenya’s economy: “people don’t pay loans,” they say. But here’s the thing—if that were entirely true, how is M-Kopa thriving? Why has Watu managed to finance millions of assets? 🔍 The answer: There are two very different digital lending models at play in Africa. A Tale of Two Models Type A: Asset Financing (Economic Enablement) Targets the unbanked/informal economy Finances income-generating assets (smartphones, boda bodas, solar systems) Uses IoT lockout features for credit enforcement High-touch, agent-driven distribution Funded via patient capital Examples: M-Kopa, Watu, Asaak, Moove Type B: BNPL for Consumption (Lifestyle Smoothing) Targets salaried, banked consumers Used for fashion, electronics, travel Integrated into POS and online checkouts Short-term, interest-free “Pay-in-4” style Funded via merchant fees & securitization Examples: Lipa Later, Payflex, Payjustnow Why the Disconnect? What we’re seeing isn’t a failure of BNPL—it’s a failure of Product-Market-Ecosystem Fit . Type A works in capital-scarce but high-need environments Type B needs strong credit bureaus , digital merchants , and deep capital markets So when BNPL players targeting consumption default in underdeveloped markets, it’s not because of "bad customers"—it’s often because the model isn’t ecosystem-ready . Final Thought Two models. Two different growth engines.One continent. Before launching or investing in a digital lending product in Africa, ask: ✅ Are you solving for income or lifestyle ? ✅ Do you have the infrastructure to support your model's risk, funding, and scale needs ? 🔗 Let’s challenge the single-story narrative around digital lending in Africa. 💬 I’d love to hear your thoughts: Are we overestimating BNPL potential in underbanked markets? Is asset-based lending the future of inclusive finance? 👇 Drop your insights, experience, or questions in the comments. #FintechAfrica #BNPL #DigitalLending #ProductMarketFit #FinancialInclusion #Startups #InvestingInAfrica #MkopA #WatuCredit #LipaLater #VentureCapital #FinancialServices #EmergingMarkets
By otoooh rentals July 10, 2025
When planning a trip to Kenya, one of the top questions international travelers ask is: “What’s the best car to rent for my safari, beach trip, or Nairobi city tour?” Whether you're landing at JKIA (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport) , headed to the Masai Mara , exploring Nairobi National Park , or driving to Diani Beach , having the right rental car can make all the difference. In this blog, we’ll highlight the most popular cars tourists rent in Kenya , answer key questions about car hire in Nairobi , and show you how to book the perfect ride through www.riderentals.co — Kenya’s #1 car rental platform. Why Tourists Rent Cars in Kenya Tourists visiting Kenya rent cars for: Game drives and safaris Airport transfers from JKIA, Moi Airport, or Wilson Road trips to Naivasha, Nanyuki, Diani, Tsavo, and beyond Business or diplomatic visits Weekend getaways and city exploration Top Cars Tourists Love to Rent in Kenya 1. Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Best For: Safaris, executive travel, and long-distance road trips Why Tourists Love It: Powerful, spacious, off-road ready, perfect for game parks like Masai Mara or Amboseli. Google Search Terms Tourists Use: "4x4 safari car hire Kenya" "Land Cruiser for rent in Nairobi" "self-drive car for safari in Kenya" 2. Toyota Noah/Voxy Best For: Family travel, group trips Why Tourists Love It: Spacious, fuel-efficient, comfortable for city tours and countryside trips. Common Searches: "cheap family car rental Nairobi" "Toyota Noah for hire with driver in Kenya" 3. Toyota RAV4 Best For: Couples, solo travelers, light off-road adventures Why Tourists Love It: Affordable, compact SUV, good for both city and safari. Search Queries Include: "rent a 4x4 SUV in Nairobi" "affordable self-drive SUV Kenya" 4. Toyota Alphard/Vellfire Best For: Luxury airport transfers, VIP guests, weddings Why Tourists Love It: Stylish, extremely comfortable, perfect for business or luxury leisure travel. Popular Search Terms: "luxury van hire Nairobi" "chauffeur-driven Alphard in Kenya" 5. Toyota Fielder/Axio Best For: Budget travelers, city movement Why Tourists Love It: Affordable, compact, perfect for Nairobi and nearby towns. What They Google: "cheap car rental in Kenya" "affordable self-drive cars Nairobi" 6. Toyota Hilux Double Cab Best For: Adventure trips, rugged terrain Why Tourists Love It: Heavy-duty, great for Lake Turkana, Lamu overland, or remote missions. Search Examples: "4x4 Hilux for rent Kenya" "pick-up truck rental Kenya for safari" 7. Mercedes-Benz E-Class / S-Class Best For: Corporate guests, luxury travelers Why Tourists Love It: Executive comfort, ideal for business meetings, VIP pickup, and wedding rides. Common Google Searches: "hire a Mercedes-Benz in Nairobi" "luxury car hire JKIA airport" 8. Toyota Hiace / Nissan Caravan Best For: Large groups, team tours Why Tourists Love It: Seats 10–14 people, ideal for missionary trips, conferences, and tour companies. What Tourists Search: "rent a van for group travel Kenya" "tour van rental with driver in Nairobi" What Tourists From Around the World Search Before Renting a Car in Kenya "How to rent a car in Kenya" "Best self-drive cars for tourists in Nairobi" "Hire a car for safari in Kenya" "Where to rent a car near JKIA airport" "Car rental with driver in Kenya" "Top car rental companies in Nairobi" "Toyota Prado for rent Masai Mara" "Budget car rental Kenya for tourists" ✅ Why www.RideRentals.co is the Best Car Hire Option for Tourists in Kenya www.riderentals.co has become the go-to car rental platform for tourists across the world thanks to: 🔹 Vast Fleet Selection From 4x4s for safari to executive cars and budget-friendly options , you’ll find your perfect ride. 🔹 Instant Booking & Transparent Pricing No hidden fees. What you see is what you pay. 🔹 Self-drive or Chauffeur Options Book a driver or take the wheel — your choice. 🔹 Airport Pickups & Drop-offs Get your car delivered right at JKIA , Wilson , or Mombasa airport . 🔹 WhatsApp Support Get help in real-time by chatting with the support team at: +254 714 877948 🔹 Trusted by Locals & International Visitors Awarded: Best Corporate Car Rental Firm 2023 Most Innovative Car Rental Platform (Customer Experience & Tech) 2024 Just Landed in Kenya? Here's How to Rent Your Car in Minutes Visit www.riderentals.co Browse cars by location, date, or car type Choose between self-drive or with driver Confirm & pay via M-Pesa, card, or PayPal Get your car delivered to the airport, hotel, or Airbnb 📞 Need help booking? Call or WhatsApp: +254 714 877948 (Lina - Bookings Office) Final Word Whether you’re headed to the wild savannahs of Kenya or just looking to explore Nairobi in comfort, renting the right car can define your travel experience. With a wide selection of tourist-friendly vehicles and seamless service, www.riderentals.co is the best way to rent a car in Kenya. Book today and explore Kenya your way!