How much power does a Toyota Starlet have?
The Toyota Starlet’s power output varies by generation and market. In general, early base models produced roughly 50–60 horsepower, most 1.2–1.3-liter variants delivered about 70–100 horsepower, and the high-performance GT Turbo peaked around 133 horsepower. This article walks through the main engine options and what they meant for driving feel across the model’s history.
Across its generations, the Starlet offered a range of small gasoline engines, with the most distinctive performance coming from the turbocharged GT Turbo in the late 1990s. The following sections outline what those numbers look like in practice and how they translated to everyday use.
Power by generation
Early generations (1978–1999)
In the early Starlets, power depended on the market and engine size. Typical outputs among the common engines were:
- 1.0-liter engines: roughly 50–60 hp
- 1.2–1.3-liter engines: roughly 70–95 hp
- Diesel and other variants: around 50–68 hp
Note: These figures vary with tuning and emissions regulations by country and year.
GT Turbo era (1996–1999)
The performance flagship, the Starlet GT Turbo, used a turbocharged 1.3-liter inline-4 (code 4EFTE) delivering about 133 hp (approximately 98 kW). Torque was commonly cited around 164–170 Nm, depending on market and specification.
Key figures for this era include:
- Engine: 1.3 L turbocharged inline-4 (4EFTE)
- Power: ~133 hp (98 kW)
- Torque: ~164–170 Nm
The GT Turbo stands out as the highest-performing Starlet and remains a standout model among enthusiasts.
Real-world performance and everyday driving
For most Starlet owners, non-turbo models offer adequate acceleration for city and highway use, with a lightweight chassis helping to keep the driving feel sprightly even when peak horsepower is modest. The GT Turbo delivers noticeably quicker responses and stronger mid-range pull, but that performance comes with correspondingly higher maintenance demands and fuel use compared with the base variants.
Summary
The Toyota Starlet’s power spectrum spans roughly 50–60 hp for the smallest early engines, about 70–95 hp for typical 1.2–1.3-liter variants, and up to about 133 hp in the iconic GT Turbo. Exact figures depend on the generation, market, and whether turbocharging is used. In daily driving, most Starlets feel peppy for a compact hatch, with the GT Turbo offering a distinctly sportier character.
