The Toyota Starlet, a subcompact hatchback, booted off the 4th Generation. It boasted a sleeker body and updated Twin am engines likened to its predecessor. Production spanned from 1989 to 1995. The model came in 3-door and 5-door versions, with a competitive price for its class.
Its exterior design was simple. The front featured rectangular side-swept headlights and a narrow, black grille. The rear had trapezium taillights and a basic hatch. The 5-door model was slightly longer to accommodate rear doors. All versions shared the same look, typical for 1980s hatchbacks.
Inside, black plastic was the main trim. Seats were fabric. Standard features included a tachometer and a stereo. Higher-end models offered sports seats, a sunroof, and air conditioning. All controls were manual. The interior, however, felt cramped and lacked comfort and refinement.
2026 Toyota Starlet Overview
| Brand | Model | Launch Date | Status | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | Starlet | 2024 | 2024 | $18,000 |
2026 Toyota Starlet Price
The price of the 2026 Toyota Starlet is expected to start around $18,000 and go up to $23,000 – $25,000
| Trim Level | Estimated Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Base | $18,000 |
| LE | $20,000 – $22,000 |
| XLE | $23,000 – $25,000 |
2026 Toyota Starlet Price in All States of USA
| State | Base | LE | XLE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Alaska | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Arizona | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Arkansas | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| California | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Colorado | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Connecticut | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Delaware | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Florida | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Georgia | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Hawaii | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Idaho | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Illinois | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Indiana | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Iowa | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Kansas | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Kentucky | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Louisiana | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Maine | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Maryland | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Massachusetts | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Michigan | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Minnesota | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 | |
| Mississippi | $20,000 – $22,000 | $23,000 – $25,000 |
2026 Toyota Starlet Colors
| Trim Level | Possible Colors |
|---|---|
| Base | * Solid colors: White, Black, Gray * Metallic colors: Silver, Dark Gray |
| LE | * All Base colors * Additional options: Red, Blue * Possibly a two-tone option |
| XLE | * All LE colors * More premium options: Pearl White, Metallic Brown * Exclusive XLE color (e.g., Emerald Green) |
2026 Toyota Starlet Mileage
2026 Toyota Starlet Mileage is 33-40 mpg to 38-46 mpg
| Trims | Expected Mileage (City/Highway) |
|---|---|
| Base | 33-40 mpg (est.) |
| LE | 35-43 mpg (est.) |
| XLE | 38-46 mpg (est.) |
2026 Toyota Starlet Top-speed
2026 Toyota Starlet Top-speed is 90-100 mph (145-161 km/h) to 100-110 mph (161-177 km/h)
| Trims | Expected Top Speed (est.) |
|---|---|
| Base | 90-100 mph (145-161 km/h) |
| LE | 95-105 mph (153-169 km/h) |
| XLE | 100-110 mph (161-177 km/h) |
Features
| Feature | Typical Presence | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Safety, Security & Locks | ||
| Airbags | Optional on Later Models | Driver and passenger airbags became more common in the late 1980s and early 1990s. |
| Seat Belt Warning | Standard | Became standard equipment in most markets by the late 1980s. |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Optional on Later Models | ABS became more common in the 1990s. |
| Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) | Unlikely | EBD is a more modern technology, less likely on older Starlets. |
| Engine Immobilizer | Unlikely | Engine immobilizers became more common in the late 1990s and early 2000s. |
| Comfort & Convenience | ||
| Parking Sensors | Not Available | Parking sensors weren’t widely available until the late 1990s and 2000s. |
| Doors, Windows, Mirrors & Wipers | ||
| Anti-glare Mirrors | Optional | Manual anti-glare mirrors were available on some models. |
| ORVMs (Heated) | Not Available | Heated mirrors were a rare feature on economy cars like the Starlet. |
| Boot-lid Opener | Standard | Most Starlets likely had a standard interior release lever for the trunk/boot lid. |
| Door Handles | Standard | |
| Interior Door Handles | Standard | |
| Door Pockets | Standard | Most cars have door pockets for storage. |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlight Height Adjuster | Manual | Most Starlets likely had manual headlight height adjustment. |
| Tail Lights | Standard | |
| Cabin Lamps | Standard | |
| Seats, Upholstery & Storage | ||
| Seat Upholstery | Cloth | Leather upholstery was not typical on the Starlet. |
| Driver Height Adjustable Seat | Optional | Manual driver’s seat height adjustment may have been available on some models. |
| Front Passenger Seat Adjustment | Manual | Front passenger seats likely had manual adjustments. |
| Rear Passenger Seats | Folding | Most Starlets likely had folding rear seats for increased cargo space. |
| Interiors | ||
| Interior Colours | Limited Options | Typically, a few interior color options were available. |
| Cup Holders | Optional | Cupholders became more common features in the 1990s, may have been optional. |
| Entertainment, Information & Instrumentation | ||
| Instrument Cluster | Standard | Basic speedometer, fuel gauge, and warning lights. |
| Trip Meter | Standard | |
| Tachometer | Optional | Tachometers were not standard on all Starlet models. |
| Warranty | Warranty information would vary depending on model year and location. | |
| Band Warranty (Years) | N/A | Band warranties are not typically offered by car manufacturers. |
| Standard Warranty (Years) | Typically 3/36,000 | This is a common warranty structure for older vehicles, but may vary. |
| Standard Warranty (kilometers) | Typically 36,000 | This is a common warranty structure for older vehicles, but may vary. |
| Technology features: | Not applicable to this car | |
| Infotainment system: | Basic Radio/Cassette | More advanced features like CD players were optional on later models. |
| Navigation: | Not Available | Navigation systems were not available in cars of this era. |
| Driver assistance features: | Limited | Anti-lock brakes (ABS) may have been the only driver assistance feature available. |
Specs
| Feature | Base | LE | XLE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions & Weight | |||
| Width (mm) | 1620 | 1620 | 1620 |
| Height (mm) | 1495 | 1495 | 1495 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2460 | 2460 | 2460 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 160 | 160 | 160 |
| Capacity | |||
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| No. of Seating Rows | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Boot Space (L) | 370 | 370 | 370 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Engine | |||
| Displacement (cc) | 1300 | 1300 | 1500 |
| Engine Type | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Cylinders | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Valves | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Max Power (BHP) | 86 | 86 | 94 |
| Max Torque (NM) | 110 | 110 | 120 |
| Mileage (ARAI) (kmpl) | 18 | 19 | 18 |
| Transmission | |||
| Transmission Type | Manual | Manual | Automatic (Optional) |
| No. of gears | 5 | 5 | 4 (Automatic) |
| Engine type: | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Transmission: | Manual | Manual | Automatic (Optional) |
| 0-60 mph (sec) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Fuel Type | Unleaded | Unleaded | Unleaded |
| Capacity (Repeated – for reference) | |||
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| No. of Seating Rows | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Boot Space (L) | 370 | 370 | 370 |
| Suspensions, Brakes, Steering & Tyres | |||
| Suspension Front | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Suspension Rear | Beam Axle | Beam Axle | Beam Axle |
| Front Brake Type | Disc | Disc | Disc |
| Spare Wheel | Full size | Full size | Full size |
| Wheel Size (inches) | 13 | 13 | 14 (Optional) |
| Tyre Size Front | 175/70 R13 | 175/70 R13 | 185/65 R14 (Optional) |
| Tyre Size Rear | 175/70 R13 | 175/70 R13 | 185/65 R14 (Optional) |
Competitors
| Possible Competitor | Segment | Expected Price Range (₹ lakhs) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maruti Suzuki Swift | Hatchback | ₹5 – 8 | Well-established hatchback with a strong reputation for fuel efficiency and reliability. |
| Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS | Hatchback | ₹5 – 8 | Spacious and feature-rich hatchback known for its value proposition. |
| Tata Tiago | Hatchback | ₹4 – 7 | Stylish and well-equipped hatchback with a focus on safety and technology. |
| Renault Kwid | Hatchback | ₹4 – 6 | Affordable and practical hatchback with a rugged design. |
| Nissan Magnite | Compact SUV | ₹6 – 9 | Feature-loaded compact SUV with a bold design and competitive pricing. |
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reliable and durable | Underpowered engine, especially in earlier models |
| Fuel-efficient | Not very spacious |
| Affordable | Not many safety features by modern standards |
| Easy to maintain | Not very exciting to drive |
| Relatively comfortable for a small car | Some reviewers found the interior to be cheap-looking |
Reviews and Ratings
| Category | Possible Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Average | The Starlet wasn’t known for its speed or power, but it offered a reliable and economical driving experience. |
| Fuel Economy | Good | For its time, the Starlet was considered fuel-efficient, making it a good choice for budget-minded drivers. |
| Reliability | Above Average | Toyotas are known for their reliability, and the Starlet was no exception. |
| Safety | Below Average (by today’s standards) | Safety standards and features have come a long way since the Starlet’s production. |
| Interior Comfort | Below Average | The Starlet prioritized functionality over comfort, with a basic and utilitarian interior. |
| Overall | Average | The Starlet was a dependable and economical car, but it wasn’t known for being particularly exciting or feature-rich. |
Accessories
| Accessory | Base | LE | XLE | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior | ||||
| Front Mudguards | $25 – $40 | $25 – $40 | $25 – $40 | Buy Now: [invalid URL removed] |
| Rear Mudguards | $20 – $35 | $20 – $35 | $20 – $35 | Buy Now: [invalid URL removed] |
| Rear Spoiler | $50 – $100 | $50 – $100 | $50 – $100 | Buy Now: [invalid URL removed] |
| Alloy Wheels (Set of 4) | $300 – $500 | $300 – $500 | $300 – $500 | Buy Now: [invalid URL removed] |
| Interior | ||||
| Floor Mats | $30 – $50 | $30 – $50 | $30 – $50 | Buy Now: [invalid URL removed] |
| Seat Covers | $50 – $100 | $50 – $100 | $50 – $100 | Buy Now: [invalid URL removed] |
| Steering Wheel Cover | $15 – $25 | $15 – $25 | $15 – $25 | Buy Now: [invalid URL removed] |
| Phone Mount | $10 – $20 | $10 – $20 | $10 – $20 | Buy Now: [invalid URL removed] |
| Performance | ||||
| Air Intake System | $100 – $200 | $100 – $200 | $100 – $200 | Buy Now: [invalid URL removed] |
| Exhaust System Upgrade | $200 – $400 | $200 – $400 | $200 – $400 | Buy Now: [invalid URL removed] |
| Performance Suspension Kit | $250 – $500 | $250 – $500 | $250 – $500 | Buy Now: [invalid URL removed] |
FAQs
Is the 2026 Toyota Starlet really coming back?
A: There are reports that Toyota is considering reviving the Starlet as a city car, but nothing is confirmed yet.
What type of car will the 2026 Starlet be?
A: Rumors suggest it will be a compact electric vehicle or hybrid, positioned below the Yaris in terms of size and price.
In which markets will the 2026 Starlet be available?
A: This information is unknown, but it might target regions with a demand for affordable and fuel-efficient vehicles.
Will the 2026 Starlet be offered with a gasoline engine?
A: It’s unlikely. Reports suggest it will be electric or hybrid, aligning with Toyota’s focus on electrification.
What will be the expected range of the electric Starlet?
A: This is unknown, but considering it’s a city car, a range of around 200-250 kilometers (125-155 miles) seems reasonable.
Will the 2026 Starlet offer performance driving dynamics?
A: The focus will likely be on practicality and efficiency rather than sporty handling.
What kind of technology features will the 2026 Starlet have?
A: Specifics are unknown, but Toyota will likely equip it with modern safety features and basic infotainment options.
Will the 2026 Starlet have advanced driver-assistance features?
A: Toyota might offer some advanced driver-assistance features, but it depends on the market and trim level.
How much will the 2026 Starlet cost?
A: The price of the 2026 Toyota Starlet is expected to start around $18,000 and go up to $23,000 – $25,000
When will the 2026 Starlet be available for purchase?
A: There’s no official release date. If the rumors are true, expect it sometime in 2026.