2023 Toyota Starlet

Toyota Starlet

Toyota’s Starlet has carved out its own niche for South Africans who want something newer than a battered Polo Vivo, but aren’t about to throw Polo money at an entry-level hatch. Forget showroom floors — not a single new Starlet is on dealer books right now, and that’s telling. All 40 listings out there are used, with prices spanning from R169,000 to a hair over R310,000, but the reality is most buyers are signing at the R239,900 mark. That puts you right in the thick of mid-spec automatics, which says plenty about who the Starlet is for: people who want convenience but still count every rand. On paper at least, the 1.5 Xs A/T dominates — nine out of 40 listings, and you’ll pay R239,900 up to an eyebrow-raising R310,494 for one. That top price is hard to swallow for a car in this bracket, and that matters if you’re comparing notes with, say, a Suzuki Swift or Renault Kwid. The real sweet spot sits lower: base Xi trims, either 1.4 or 1.5, dipping just under R200,000. Most sheets show 2021–2026 models, average mileage around 50,344 km, so you’re mostly looking at ex-company stock or cautious first owners flipping early. What tips the scales for the Starlet is old-school: Toyota’s dealer footprint and the peace of mind that comes with it, especially if you live outside the big metros. The Swift drives with more verve, the Kwid will save you money, but in SA, knowing you can service your car in Upington or Kokstad isn’t just nice — it’s the reason you buy.