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.