The new Toyota Starlet Cross has arrived in South Africa, ready to battle it out in the competitive crossover sphere.
The Starlet was developed in partnership with Suzuki and is based on the latter’s popular Fronx, with a few cosmetic touches setting the step-siblings apart from one another.
Both crossovers are virtually identical in price and both are sold in four variations. Therefore, buyers looking at one should also consider the other to see where they can score a better deal.
Clone clash
The Starlet Cross range comprises two grades, the Xs and XR, similar to the Fronx, which can be yours in GL and GLX guises.
Comparing the Xs to the GL, the entry-level trims both come with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights with daytime running lights, electrically adjustable wing mirrors, a leather multifunction steering wheel with tilt adjust, automatic aircon with rear vents, a 7-inch infotainment display with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and four speakers.
Safety and driver assistance is taken care of by a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, ABS with brake assist, vehicle stability control, hill-assist control, and two airbags.
Shifting gears to the XR and GLX models, the range-toppers further bring keyless entry and start, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a 4.2-inch multi-info driver’s display, a 9-inch central touchscreen, six speakers, a heads-up display, 360-degree cameras, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, and six airbags.
One distinct advantage of the Starlet Cross is that it also offers Toyota Connect, something the Suzuki can’t match.
This feature provides in-car WiFi, a GPS vehicle locator, a digital logbook, a battery health checker, a service booking function, roadside assistance, and licence renewal directly from the My Toyota app.
On the visual front, the Starlet Cross boasts a restyled grille, unique head and taillight signatures, distinctive wheel designs, and, naturally, different badges.
However, they are exactly the same size at 3,995mm in length, 1,765mm in width, and 1,550mm in height with a ground clearance of 170mm.
Boot capacity for the step-siblings then comes in at 304 litres with the rear bench folded up, expanding to 1,009 litres in two-seater mode.
The Toyota and Suzuki are basically one and the same under the hood.
Both crossovers sport a 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol motor turning the front wheels, with a maximum potential of 77kW and 138Nm on the books.
Likewise, both are available with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission in each trim level. For the manuals, top speed is listed at 175km/h, and for the automatics, it’s 170km/h.
Where they differ is with their average fuel consumption, though the gap is so minute that it probably won’t sway your purchasing decision.
Suzuki claims the Fronx manual drinks petrol at a rate of 5.5l/100km and the automatic 5.7l/100km; whereas Toyota says its Urban Cruiser is slightly heavier at 5.6l/100km and 5.8l/100km, respectively.
Price
The pricing and line-up of the new Toyota Starlet Cross are detailed below:
- Toyota Starlet Cross 1.5 Xs – R299,900
- Toyota Starlet Cross 1.5 Xs Auto – R322,300
- Toyota Starlet Cross 1.5 XR – R339,300
- Toyota Starlet Cross 1.5 XR Auto – R359,300
Each purchase carries a 3-year/100,000km warranty and 4-services/60,000km service plan.
The pricing and line-up of the Suzuki Fronx are as follows:
- Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GL – R297,900
- Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GL Auto – R317,900
- Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GLX – R334,900
- Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GLX Auto – R354,900
The Fronx is supported by a more extensive 5-year/200,000km warranty and an identical 4-year/60,000km service plan.
Toyota Starlet Cross
Suzuki Fronx
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