Since its launch, the Toyota Starlet has consistently ranked among the top-rated cars in the automotive market. This entry-level hatchback has seen significant demand across dealerships. The car’s steady popularity can be attributed to its reliable performance and its upgraded engine. Besides this, Starlet’s price points are quite competitive compared to alternatives in the same segment. These factors, along with several noteworthy features, have made the Toyota Starlet appealing to many customers.

Features of Toyota Starlet

Exterior
The latest Toyota Starlet has witnessed some significant changes compared to its earlier versions. The newer models now have chrome accents that give this compact hatchback a stylish yet refined look. Besides this, the new LED headlamps and wide-mounted fog lamps on the front also add to the understated, sportier appearance of the car. Also, the rear has redesigned headlights, giving it a better and sleeker look. In addition, the newer models have 16-inch alloy wheels, which add to the overall appeal of the car.

Engine
Along with many changes on the exterior, the Toyota Starlet has also got an engine upgrade under the hood. After the earlier models met with criticism regarding their engine performance from many consumers, Toyota has taken it to the next level by fixing up the hatchback with a more powerful and bigger engine. The newer models of the Starlet now have a 1.5-litre engine, which has significantly improved its driveability. It is now capable of delivering high-level in-gear acceleration compared to its predecessors. Even when loaded with cargo and passengers, the new engine can maintain its stable performance.

The new engine also means that the car’s power has been notched up almost 9 kW, with a total power of about 77 kW. In addition, the torque has been elevated by around 8 Nm to reach a total of approximately 138 Nm. From a performance perspective, this is nearly a 10% increase in power and slightly less than 10% of peak torque. This significant increase leads to robust performance and a perky driving experience for both daily commutes and city drives.

Fuel economy
On average, the Starlet has delivered fairly good fuel economy across its various versions over the years. But because of the engine upgrade, the fuel economy has taken a slight hit in the newer hatchback models. Still, the decrease is only a mere 0.2 L/100 km, which does not make much of a difference in the long run. Overall, the Toyota Starlet records a fuel efficiency between 5.4 and 5.7 L/100 km across all its variants.

Interior
From its base variant to the high-end models, the Starlet offers some practical features in the interior that make the cabin quite comfortable. The higher-end models take the interior to the next level with a luxurious leather steering wheel. In addition, there are six tweeter speakers for better surround sound. Also, the dashboard features automatic climate control. The infotainment system, too, is quite straightforward, with an easy-to-use interface. For the base models, the touchscreen is around 7.0 inches, and the higher-end variants have a 9-inch touchscreen. Besides this, all the Toyota Starlet variants come equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Additionally, there are USB ports (USB-A and USB-C) at the back for charging phones or connecting media devices. Aside from these, there are controls for power-retractable mirrors, electric windows, smart entry, push start, a rear camera, and cruise control. For those willing to invest more, Toyota offers optional cabin attributes. All of these features make the Starlet stand out among its competitors in the compact hatchback segment.

Safety features
The latest Starlet models have standard safety features, including stability control, EBD, ABS, and hill-start assistance for driving on steeper slopes. In addition, each variant is equipped with rear parking sensors. The higher-end variants are further fitted with a reverse-view camera. When it comes to airbags, the base variants have one each for the driver and passenger. Meanwhile, the higher variants have four airbags, with an additional one on the side, along with curtain airbags.

Variants
The base variant of the Toyota Starlet is the Xi, known for its affordability and higher long-term value. Along with a standard infotainment system, the Xi is equipped with automatic climate control, a multi-information display, powered mirrors and windows, a multi-function steering wheel, park distance control, VSC stability control, dual front airbags, and an anti-lock braking system.

Next in the lineup are the mid-range Xs, which include manual and auto transmission versions. They offer add-ons such as 16-inch alloy wheels and fog lights.

The higher-end variant is the XR, which is the flagship model of the Toyota Starlet. It has an upgraded infotainment system along with two additional speakers, a reverse camera, push-button start, and cruise control. The cabin also features a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a leather-covered steering wheel with adjustable reach capability.

Price
The price of the Toyota Starlet has increased slightly compared to earlier versions. But, when considering long-term usage, the Toyota Starlet still provides better value for money than its competitors. Here are the approximate Toyota Starlet prices for 2024 across the different variants in both manual and automatic transmissions.

• Starlet 1.5 Xi MT ZAR 2,26,200
• Starlet 1.5 Xs MT ZAR 2,39,100
• Starlet 1.5 Xs AT ZAR 2,61,100
• Starlet 1.5 XR MT ZAR 2,94,900
• Starlet 1.5 XR AT ZAR 3,13,300

Individuals looking for a Toyota Starlet for sale can visit the local dealerships, which often offer Toyota Starlet deals. These deals can help them save significantly on the hatchback’s actual sticker price.