Suzuki and Toyota sharing some love.

So anyone seen a Starlet on the roads, I am interested to see how the lower suspension makes it look compared to the Baleno.
 
Cars.co.za review of the Starlet

Watched, Good review, overview.

Just as I thought the Starlet is a better proposition than the cockroach Yaris & you will save a substantial amount.

 
Watched, Good review, overview.

Just as I thought the Starlet is a better proposition than the cockroach Yaris & you will save a substantial amount.

Exactly the same thing I was mentioning to a mate of mine who's fiancé drives an older Yaris.
Told him the new Yaris is not worth the price premium over the Starlet.
 
Toyota Starlet (2020) Review

Fast Facts

Price: R258 500 (October 2020)
Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol
Gearbox: 5-speed manual
0 to 100 kph: 10.9 sec
Fuel economy: 5.1 L/100 km (claimed)
Power/Torque: 68 kW/130 Nm
Luggage capacity: 345 to 1 075 litres.

Price and after-sales support
The Toyota Starlet 1.4 Xr sells for R258 500, which includes a 5-year/200 000 km warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan.

Verdict

In the 5-year history of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, powered by WesBank, Toyota has won the coveted Brand of the Year title on 2 occasions... and so has Suzuki! Both brands have sterling reputations for vehicle quality, reliability and steller after-sales service. So, if your purchasing decision comes down to a choice between a Starlet and a Baleno, we encourage you to shop around, you might find a Suzuki dealer that is willing to give you a better deal than a Toyota dealership, or vice versa.

Other than that, Toyota’s dealership network is massive, the largest in the country, while Suzuki has a considerably smaller dealer footprint. If you live in a remote area, chances are there’s a Toyota dealership near you, while your nearest Suzuki dealer might be an inconvenient distance away.

And lastly, the Toyota brand does enjoy, on average, less depreciation than just about everything else on the market, save for perhaps Volkswagen. So, if you are likely to sell your car in 3 years or less, you might find you’ll get more for the Toyota vs the Suzuki. We're splitting hairs here...


Starlet 1.jpgStarlet 2.jpgStarlet 3.jpgStarlet 4.jpgStarlet 5.jpgStarlet 6.jpgStarlet 7.jpgStarlet 8.jpg
 
The more I learn about this car the more I love it.
It should blow up in SA.
I hope it beheads some Vivo sales. Can't stand the Vivo
 
Little Miss Review | 2020 Toyota Starlet makes a good impression on this toddler

t also comes standard with anti-lock braking system(ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), brake assist (BA), vehicle stability control (VSC) and park distance control. It's not a large car, so it's perfect for young drivers, or the more experienced driver, to bustle around in town. It also has a 4.9m turning circle meaning parking manoeuvring is a breeze when you need to get in or out of a tight spot or make a three-point turn.

And yes, it's a Suzuki Baleno at heart with the same engine and gearbox, delivering the same power figures of 68kW and 138Nm, so it drives the same and has an almost identical interior. But, is it a better-packaged deal? On paper yes, especially when you're comparing it to its twin sister and the Polo Vivo, and when you're comparing value for money. I suppose it will come down to brand loyalty on this one, and that's where Toyota will trump any rival.

 
MotorMatters review of the Starlet XR


I tried but I just can't. Plus why is so car getting so much attention, it has been out for how long just with another badge. And the Baleno looks slightly better for me, but that's probably just because I don't like Toyota.
 
I tried but I just can't. Plus why is so car getting so much attention, it has been out for how long just with another badge. And the Baleno looks slightly better for me, but that's probably just because I don't like Toyota.
Motoring journalists and Toyota, they do have the tendency to nitpick the most useless things on other makes but omit the most useful information when it comes to Toyota, but I guess it's the perks Toyota has earned for being a giant in the industry.
 
I tried but I just can't. Plus why is so car getting so much attention, it has been out for how long just with another badge. And the Baleno looks slightly better for me, but that's probably just because I don't like Toyota.
It's a good car I want to know why the baleno didn't do well
 
You should take time to observe how Toyota are going to market this, then ask yourself how many Baleno adverts have you come across on all kinds of media.

I was going to say just this, Toyota will market the sht out of this car. It's just bad marketing.
 
REVIEW | There's a new Star(let) in Toyota's line-up and it's about to shine brightly

• Toyota's new Starlet replaces a South African favourite, the Etios.

• The Starlet is based on the Suzuki Baleno and shares a drivetrain with it.

• Our test car, the Starlet XR manual, retails for R258 500.

In Summary

The new Starlet is somewhat of a revelation. Compared to the Baleno, it offers much of the same features, but at a more reasonable price; something Suzuki SA can't be smiling about. And when compared to the Polo Vivo, the Starlet has this one in the bag; albeit on paper.

Toyota can be assured that its Starlet will be a huge success in South Africa, and that the void left by the Etios will not be missed. The Starlet is a car in its own right and with plenty to offer. Perhaps something I'd have liked on the car would be slightly bigger tyres. The Starlet is prone to buckling under strong winds, and a wider tread, or rim, would go a long way in ensuring sturdiness on the road.

There's a new star in Toyota's portfolio, and it is destined to shine for a long time.

 
Perhaps something I'd have liked on the car would be slightly bigger tyres. The Starlet is prone to buckling under strong winds said:
It's a 900kg car..
Obviously it will be affected by winds
 
OPINION | Instead of a 'copied' body, Toyota's Starlet could've been something much better

• The Toyota Starlet is based on the Suzuki Baleno.

• The car shares many of its underpinnings with its fellow Japanese.

• Toyota and Suzuki entered into a new partnership in 2019.

Same engine

One would think under the bonnet there would be some sort of a difference. Nope, it's all Baleno there as well. A 1.4-litre engine that is good for 68kW and 130Nm, hooked up to a five-speed manual or four-speed auto gearbox.

From a pricing perspective, the entry-level Starlet is almost R20 000 cheaper than its Suzuki counterpart and this will play a big part in sales figures but in a way, the Toyota will feel like kind of a 'knockoff'.

The Starlet will have to strut its stuff against some of the already established heavy-hitters in its segment. The VW Polo, Renault Sandero and even the Suzuki Baleno will be jostling for high sales numbers come month-end.

Times are changing and things, especially vehicles, are not being manufactured to look or perform how they once used to. Sad in some ways but with all things considered, is probably for the best.

 
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