The Toyota Starlet 2020 is the novel hatchback that seems to be on everyone’s lips this month. But, is this newcomer to the small car market a real foe to the likes of the Swift, Picanto, Grand i10 and Micra?

To find out, News journalist Jaco Human took the new Starlet for a test drive from Monument Toyota West Rand.

These are his impressions:

When I walked up to the Starlet for the first time, I thought three things: it’s an absolute stunner in the looks department, it’s a bit larger than I was expecting and I’d definitely have it in blue.

The important thing to remember is that, while this is technically a new car to the market, it’s been around for about five years now, albeit under another moniker. The Starlet is the first car spawned from a partnership between Suzuki and Toyota, largely being a reskin of the Suzuki Baleno. There is a very close resemblance between the two, save for the Baleno’s 20mm bigger ground clearance, slightly higher load volume, slightly lower torque and power-to-weigh ratios, and a maximum speed 5kph lower than the Starlet’s 180kph limit. It is also 20kg heavier that the Baleno.

Except for minor exterior cosmetic differences, the largest difference between the Baleno and the Starlet is the price.

The mid-level Starlet 1.4 XS Auto comes with a R235 700 price tag compared to the entry-level Starlet 1.4 Xi which costs R204 900.

As for the top-range models, the Starlet 1.4 XR is only R1 400 cheaper than the Baleno 1.4 GLX. The Starlet, though, has a mid-range option, which the Baleno does not.

I had the opportunity to take the Toyota Starlet 1.4 XS Auto (mid-range option) onto the road. I couldn’t help but admire its smooth handling around corners and comfortable interior, especially the driver seat.

The mid-level Starlet 1.4 XS Auto seems to be an early favourite in the market, though I I’d prefer it in manual. The XS manual is priced at about R20 000 less, consumes 0.3L/ 100km less petrol, has slightly higher torque and power-to-weigh ratios, and a higher top speed.

Before getting behind the wheel, I hoped that online forums were exaggerating its aversion to inclines. I was, unfortunately, disappointed when I took on the first medium hill. Without a good speed build-up on the approach, you’ll have to smash down on the accelerator before it loses too much power. Doing this, it takes what seems like about a second before the car responds, and it’s quite noticeable. When it does take, the XS Auto jerks fairly harder than I’m used to in automatic cars as it gears back.

In general, it feels like quite a fast mid-size hatchback, but also seems a bit sluggish at times, keeping in mind that this specific model has not had its ‘road laziness’ properly driven out.

Would I buy the Starlet? Yes I would, granted that I prefer manual over automatic gearboxes, and that I don’t care about a flashy interior.

I’d rather take the cheapest of the options, the Starlet 1.4 Xi, which very much looks and drives the same as the mid-range 1.4 XS Manual for R10 000 less.

Toyota Starlet 1.4 XS Automatic specifications:
• 5-door hatchback
• R235 700 price tag
• 685km average fuel range
• 5.4L/ 100km fuel consumption
• 4 gears
• 185/55 R16 tyres
• 915kg kerb weight
• 74kW/ ton power-to-weight ratio
• 142Nm/ton torque-to-weight ratio
• 0–100km in 11,6 seconds