If you need to carry a big family, staff or a church group, a Japanese people-carrier is the best value you can get. Japan builds a lot of them, and they have sliding doors, flexible seats and simple, reliable engines. Here's how the main options compare, with links to real cars in our stock.
The Options at a Glance
| Van | Seats | Engine | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Wish / Mazda Premacy | 7 | 1.8–2.0 petrol | Lowest price, car-like to drive |
| Toyota Noah / Voxy | 7–8 | 2.0 petrol | The all-rounder; parts everywhere |
| Nissan Serena | 8 | 2.0 petrol | Roomy cabin, good value |
| Toyota Hiace Wagon | 10 | 2.7 petrol / diesel | Large groups, tours, staff transport |
7 or 8 seats? An 8-seater has a bench in the middle row. A 7-seater has two "captain" seats with a walkway to the back row. 7 is more comfortable, 8 carries more people.
Toyota Wish and Mazda Premacy: The Cheapest 7 Seats
These are lower and more car-like than the boxy vans. They are easier to drive and park, but the third row is tight, best for children. They have hinged doors, not sliding ones.
- 2006 Mazda Premacy 20C: $2,000 to Mombasa
- 2009 Toyota Wish 1.8 X: $3,000 to Mombasa
Toyota Noah and Voxy: The All-Rounders
The Noah and Voxy are the same van with different styling. They are the most popular family vans on the export market, so parts and mechanics are easy to find. We have 20 Noahs and several Voxys. Full details: Noah guide, Voxy guide, Noah vs Voxy.
Some picks:
- 2012 Toyota Noah X Smart Edition: $3,500 to Mombasa, the cheapest Noah
- 2013 Toyota Noah X Smart Edition 4WD: $5,500 to Mombasa, 4WD with lower mileage
- 2011 Toyota Voxy XL Edition: $4,500 to Mombasa, only 61,000 km
- 2019 Toyota Voxy X 4WD: $8,500 to Mombasa, Kenya-eligible
- 2020 Toyota Noah Si W×B: $16,500 to Mombasa, the newest
Nissan Serena: Space for the Money
The Serena is slightly wider inside than the Noah and often a little cheaper for the same year.
- 2015 Nissan Serena: $4,000 to Mombasa
- 2016 Nissan Serena: $6,000 to Mombasa
Toyota Hiace Wagon: When 8 Isn't Enough
The Grand Cabin seats 10. It's a bigger vehicle, so shipping costs more, but nothing else carries as many people as reliably.
- 2018 Toyota Hiace Wagon Grand Cabin: $14,500 to Mombasa
More: Hiace buying guide.
Want an SUV Instead?
If you'd rather have an SUV with 7 seats, the Mazda CX-8 is a diesel 4WD with three rows: 2018 Mazda CX-8 XD Proactive, $10,000 to Mombasa.
What to Check on Any Family Van
- Sliding doors: power doors should work smoothly by button and by hand.
- CVT gearbox: ask whether the inspector noted judder or noise.
- Seats: count them and check the registration matches; check that the third row folds.
- Rust: sliding door runners and the underbody.
- Mileage: vans work hard; the auction grade matters more than the number. See how to read an auction sheet.
Delivered = car price + ocean freight to the port, rounded up to the next $500. Insurance, import duty/taxes, port and clearing charges are extra. Prices are from September 2026 and change as cars sell, so click a car to see its live price. See how to calculate the true landed cost.
Kenya only takes vans made in 2018 or later; many other countries have no strict limit. Check yours under import markets.