What are the specs of a Toyota Starlet?
The Toyota Starlet name has been used for several subcompact hatchbacks across different eras and regions, so there isn’t a single universal specification. Today, in many markets the Starlet badge is applied to Yaris-based hatchbacks, meaning specs vary by year and country.
Historical overview of the Starlet lineage
The Starlet began as a compact front-wheel-drive hatchback in the late 1970s and evolved through multiple generations into a small, economical car. Over the years, Toyota gradually improved interior space, safety features, and efficiency. In some regions, the Starlet name was revived as a regional badge for variants of the Toyota Yaris, so modern Starlets often share underlying platforms and powertrains with the Yaris rather than serving as a standalone, globally uniform model.
Early Starlets and general characteristics
Across its original run, Starlets were designed to be lightweight, efficient city cars with 3- or 5-door hatchback bodies. They typically offered small-displacement petrol engines, simple suspensions, and manual or conventional automatic transmissions, prioritizing reliability and economy for everyday use.
- Body styles: 3- and 5-door hatchbacks
- Powertrain focus: small petrol engines, emphasis on fuel economy
- Drivetrain: front-wheel drive
- Transmission options: manual and automatic transmissions were common
- Safety features: basic by modern standards, with improvements in later years (airbags, ABS in many markets)
These early Starlets established a reputation for practicality and efficiency, qualities that continued into later generations and shaped how the name was used in other markets.
Current usage and typical modern specs
In more recent years, the Starlet badge has appeared in select markets for variants of the Toyota Yaris hatchback. Because the Starlet in these markets is often a rebadged or closely related model, the specifications mirror the local Yaris lineup for that market and model year. Typical modern Starlet variants use petrol engines of about 1.0–1.5 liters, with either manual or CVT transmissions, and front-wheel drive. Standard safety features commonly include anti-lock brakes, multiple airbags, and stability control, with higher trims offering additional driver-assistance technology.
Common modern specs you might encounter on Starlet-badged Yaris variants (vary by market):
- Engines: small-displacement petrol engines in the 1.0–1.5 L range (three- or four-cylinder configurations)
- Transmissions: 5-speed manual or CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
- Drivetrain: front-wheel drive
- Power outputs: typically in a broad mid-range suitable for city driving (roughly 70–110+ horsepower depending on engine
- Fuel economy: competitive for subcompact hatchbacks, varying with engine and transmission
- Safety: modern Tetral features such as ABS and airbags in base trims, with more advanced assistive tech on higher trims
Because exact numbers depend on the market and model year, you should check the specific brochure for the Starlet variant you’re interested in to get precise figures.
How to get exact specs for a specific Starlet
To pinpoint the precise specifications for a particular Starlet variant, you need the exact model year and market. The following steps help you verify the official figures:
- Identify the exact model year and country where the car is sold or was produced.
- Visit Toyota’s official regional site or the Toyota Global site to access PDF brochures and official spec sheets for that year and market.
- Check the dealer’s specification sheet or the vehicle’s VIN-based documentation for precise numbers.
- Corroborate with reputable automotive databases or reviews for any region-specific variations.
With the official brochure and dealership information, you’ll have precise details on engine size, horsepower, torque, transmission, dimensions, fuel economy, and safety equipment for the exact Starlet variant you’re researching.
Summary
The Toyota Starlet does not have a single, fixed set of specs because the name has covered multiple generations and regional badge variants. Historically, Starlets were compact, economical hatchbacks with small petrol engines and simple transmissions. In the modern era, the Starlet badge often corresponds to Yaris-based hatchbacks in select markets, with specs that align to the local Yaris lineup. For an accurate, up-to-date specification sheet, identify the exact model year and market and consult official Toyota brochures or dealer documentation. If you share the year and country you’re interested in, I can pull the precise figures for that variant.
