• Toyota introduced the Starlet Cross in South Africa.
  • The new urban SUV is based on the Indian-market Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor and Suzuki Fronx.
  • The only powertrain option is a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter engine producing 103 hp.

The Toyota Starlet nameplate is strongly associated with supermini hatchbacks – from the grandfather of the Yaris to the rebadged Suzuki Baleno of today. Now, Toyota South Africa decided to use the storied moniker for an urban SUV, creating the Starlet Cross.

The Toyota Starlet Cross looks familiar because it is another case of badge engineering. The SUV is a twin to the Indian-market Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor and Suzuki Fronx.

More: Toyota Starlet Could Be Reborn As 150HP GR Hot Hatch

Predictably, the styling is nearly identical between the three. Toyota-specific elements are limited to the front bumper, the emblems, and the LED graphics on the split headlights and full-width taillights.

The reason behind the name change is most likely the fact that South African buyers are already familiar with the Starlet, making the Starlet Cross a fitting choice for a small SUV. After all, both Starlets are based on Suzuki underpinnings, and there is no Yaris Cross in the region to create unwanted competition.

Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name

Τoyota South Africa

The 3,995 mm (157.3 inches) long Toyota Starlet Cross rides on Suzuki’s Heartect architecture. The only powertrain option in South Africa is a naturally-aspirated 1.5-liter gasoline engine, producing 103 hp (77 kW / 105 PS) and 138 Nm (102 lb-ft) of torque. Buyers can choose between a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. In both cases, power is sent to the front axle exclusively.

For reference, the Indian-spec Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor and the Suzuki Fronx offer a choice between a mild-hybrid turbo 1.0-liter and a naturally aspirated 1.2-liter gasoline/CNG.

Inside the Toyota Starlet Cross, we find a 7- or 9-inch infotainment display, a trio of USB slots, and a wireless charger. The entry-level XR trim is pretty basic with only two airbags, while the flagship XS upgrades to six. None of them have any ADAS, other than the Hill Assist Control.

Pricing for the Toyota Starlet Cross in South Africa ranges from R299,900 ($16,226) to R359,300 ($19,422). This makes it much more expensive than the Indian Toyota Urban Taisor twin which sells between RS 7.74 lakh ($9,231) and RS 13.04 lakh ($15,553), albeit with different powertrains.

Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name
Toyota Starlet Cross Is Another Rebadged Suzuki Reviving A Cool Name

Toyota South Africa