Home / Features / New Toyota Starlet XR vs Kia Rio LS – Hatchback head-to-head

New Toyota Starlet XR vs Kia Rio LS – Hatchback head-to-head

The latest iteration of the Toyota Starlet is now available in South Africa with the top-of-the-line XR model selling for R313,300.

For a similar price, motorists can alternatively purchase the Kia Rio 1.4 LS, another popular hatch for South African motorists.

Below, these two hatchbacks go head-to-head to see which one has more to give for its asking price.

Features

As the top-end model, the new Starlet XR is a well-equipped budget hatch with cruise control, automatic climate control, a reverse camera, park distance control, hill assist, automatic LED projector headlights, and a 9-inch infotainment display with six speakers, well as support for Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Toyota Connect for in-car WiFi.

The car’s seats are cloth, the multifunctional steering wheel is wrapped in leather, and the boot offers 314-litres of storage.

Moving outside, the Toyota is fitted with LED daytime running lights, chrome door handles, LED foglamps a black chrome grille, auto-folding side mirrors, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

On to the Rio, the now older model of the two competitors.

This hatch’s interior trim consists of manual air conditioning, a multifunction steering wheel, hill assist, automatic halogen headlights, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with six speakers, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

Additionally, buyers can expect fabric upholstery and 325-litres of boot space.

The Kia’s exterior, meanwhile, is kitted with 15-inch alloy wheels, electronically adjustable side mirrors, and rear foglamps.

Engine

Powering the Starlet is a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 77kW and 138Nm.

This power is delivered to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic gearbox, which helps to give the car a combined fuel consumption of 5.7l/100km.

Acceleration from 0-100km/h is pegged at 11.2 seconds, while this particular automatic Starlet also has a top speed of 160km/h.

The Rio, on the other hand, uses a 1.4-litre petrol engine to deliver a comparable 73kW and 135Nm.

With a six-speed automatic transmission, the Rio has a slightly higher fuel consumption of 6.2l/100km.

The Rio’s acceleration is slower than the Starlet’s, too, at 12.9 seconds from 0-100km/h, but it has a higher top speed of 175km/h.

Pricing

The Toyota Starlet 1.5 XR Auto has a South African starting price of R313,300.

This includes a 3-year/100,000km warranty and a 3-service/45,000km service plan.

The Kia Rio 1.4 LS Auto has a South African starting price of R314,995.

Also included is a 5-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, a 4-year/60,000km service plan, and a 5-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance plan.


Toyota Starlet




Kia Rio



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