What engine does a Toyota Starlet have?
The Starlet uses a variety of small petrol engines rather than one single powerplant. The most famous is the 1.3-liter turbocharged 4E-FTE found in the Starlet GT Turbo, but standard models typically featured 1.0–1.3-liter naturally aspirated engines. Note that Toyota no longer sells a Starlet as a current model in today’s market.
The Starlet line, produced from the late 1970s through the 1990s, evolved its powertrains across generations and regions. This article traces the main engine options by era and highlights the standout turbocharged variant that gave the Starlet its sporting edge.
First generation (1978–1984)
The original Starlet was designed as a compact, economical hatchback, powered by small petrol engines typical of city cars of the era. Engine choices remained focused on compact displacements with carburetion and early fuel-injection technology appearing toward the end of the generation.
Engine options for the first generation:
- 1.0–1.2 liter petrol engines for entry-level efficiency
- 1.3 liter petrol engines introduced later in the generation
In summary, early Starlets leaned heavily on small, efficient petrol units to emphasize practicality and low running costs.
Second generation (1984–1989)
The second-generation Starlet refined the powertrains with more modern fuel-injection and emissions control, while maintaining the same general displacement range. The aim was improved performance and economy without sacrificing the car’s compact footprint.
Engine options for the second generation:
- 1.0–1.3 liter petrol engines with updated fuel-injection systems
- Market-specific variants offering refined efficiency and smoother power delivery
The generation’s engines remained within a narrow, efficient band, aligned with the Starlet’s city-car purpose.
Third generation (1990–1995)
The 1990s Starlet settled on more modern, fuel-injected units, with the 1.3-liter family becoming the mainstream choice in many markets. This generation marked an acceleration toward more refined performance while preserving the Starlet’s compact size.
Engine options for the third generation:
- 1.3 liter petrol engines (widely used, often with electronic fuel injection)
- Smaller-displacement options offered in some markets
Conclusion: The 1.3-liter class emerged as the workhorse for most markets, balancing power and efficiency.
Starlet GT Turbo (1996–1999)
The standout variant in the final years of the Starlet’s production was the GT Turbo, a performance-focused model that used a turbocharged small-displacement engine to deliver noticeably livelier performance than the standard hatchbacks.
Engine details
Before the list:
- 1.3 liter turbocharged engine (4E-FTE)
Conclusion: The GT Turbo packaged a turbocharged 1.3-liter engine to give the Starlet a genuine sporty edge within a small-car package.
Summary
Across its lifespan, the Toyota Starlet never had a single engine. It relied on a family of small petrol engines, mostly 1.0–1.3 liters, with the notable exception of the turbocharged 1.3-liter 4E-FTE found in the Starlet GT Turbo. The name itself has since faded from Toyota’s current lineup, with no new Starlet model in production today.
