All derivatives also have 10 mm wider tyres than their predecessors, which will improve grip levels in all atmospheric conditions. What’s more, changes have been applied to the rear torsion beam to improve handling, while the suspension features 20 mm more travel, which Toyota claims leads to improved ride comfort. The side profile shows its proportions are smaller than it initially looks from the front.įor a start, the Starlet’s bodyshell has been modified to improve its rigidity and stiffness. The new engine improves the Starlet’s driveability in a number of ways… it can deliver superior in-gear acceleration compared with its 1.4-litre-engined predecessor it’s likely to be more tractable when loaded up with passengers or things and we’re in no doubt that the extra performance will be useful for those at the Reef, where naturally aspirated engines can feel lethargic in the thin(ner) air. A buyer with a “lighter right foot” could easily return somewhere in the low 6 L/100 km range. Still, fuel efficiency is good – even without the additional gear – and during our short drive in the new Starlet, we saw an indicated 6.9 L/100 km. Speaking of which, the Toyota would be even more frugal if its maker endowed it with a 6th gear, especially when driving longer routes and cruising on the freeway at around 120 kph. Most buyers are likely to keep the revs well below that mark in the interest of achieving optimal fuel efficiency. The new engine feels perky in the Starlet and, like most Japanese naturally aspirated engines, it’s happy to rev and really starts to get into its stride when the revs climb above 4 000 rpm. Claimed efficiency is between 5.4- and 5.7 L/100 km. The fuel economy has taken a slight hit as a result of the enlarged-capacity engine, but only by around 0.2 L/100 km, which is a fair result, I’d say. It may not sound like a lot, but it’s more than a 10% increase in power and a little less than that in terms of peak torque. That means the Starlet now has 9 kW more power (77 kW) and 8 Nm more torque (138 Nm). Toyota (or is that Suzuki?) has duly responded by installing a bigger (1.5-litre) engine, which is the same unit used in the Urban Cruiser and Suzuki Vitara Brezza. One of the complaints buyers levelled at the pre-facelift Starlet was that it didn’t have enough performance. More power and torque from a 1.5-litre engine.
What’s more, additional safety features have been fitted to all versions of the Starlet – all told, it’s a comprehensively improved offering that will have segment favourites, such as the Polo Vivo, looking over their shoulders.
#Starlet car android#
Both systems are compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. In terms of infotainment upgrades, a 7-inch touchscreen system is now standard on Xi and Xs derivatives, while the top-spec Xr gains a bigger (9-inch) unit.
#Starlet car manual#
The gearbox options remain either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The most notable change is under the bonnet, where the 1.4-litre petrol engine has been replaced with a more powerful 1.5-litre petrol motor. The Starlet appears to be a much bigger car from the front (one that would compete with, say, a Volkswagen Golf), but when you look at the Toyota in profile it’s apparent that its size is more comparable with that of a Polo. Similar treatment is given to the rear end, where new taillight clusters are linked by a chrome strip. The facelifted model remains a rebadged version of the Suzuki Baleno and features a revised front end, with more chrome detailing and new-look headlamps. It has often ranked as Toyota’s second-best-selling vehicle (behind the Hilux) and shows there’s still demand for an entry-level hatchback in SA! Since its local introduction in 2020, the Starlet has proved a successful import for Toyota SA. The new face on the Starlet includes new headlights, a revised bumper and chrome surrounds on the foglights. Could the 2022 model eclipse the much-loved Volkswagen Polo Vivo as South Africa’s favourite entry-level hatchback? We drove the newcomer during its local launch in the Western Cape. The revised version of Toyota’s successful Starlet has arrived, replete with a revamped exterior design, an updated engine and several more features.