Toyota Starlet vs Ford Figo vs Volkswagen Polo Vivo: which one has the lowest running costs?

If you are in the market for a budget-friendly hatchback with an automatic gearbox there are many suitable options within the market, one of which is the popular Toyota Starlet and its mechanical twin, the Suzuki Baleno.

Since the Suzuki and Toyota offer near-identical running costs, we have selected the Ford Figo and the Volkswagen Polo Vivo to compare the Starlet with as we determine which has the lowest running costs. The variants we have chosen all feature automatic gearboxes as these are becoming increasingly popular across all vehicle segments.

The figures

	Toyota Starlet 1.4 XS auto	Ford Figo hatch 1.5 Trend auto	Volkswagen Polo Vivo hatch 1.6 Comfortline auto
Engine size	3-cyl, 1.4-litre petrol	3-cyl, 1.5-litre turbo petrol	4-cyl, 1.6-litre petrol
Power/Torque	68 kW/130 Nm	88 kW/150 Nm	77 kW/153 Nm
Gearbox	4-speed automatic	6-speed dual-clutch automatic	6-speed automatic
Kerb weight	935 kg	1 047 kg	1 102 kg
Airbags	6	2	2
Boot volume	345-litres	256-litres	280-litres
Fuel capacity	37-litres	42-litres	45-litres
Claimed consumption	5.4 L/100 km	6.5 L/100 km	6.1 L/100 km
Service plan	3 service/45 000 km	4 yr/60 000 km	optional
Price	R243 100	R256 000	R270 800

Comparing the trio

Purchase price

The models that we have chosen for this comparison are direct competitors from a pricing and segment perspective, with small capacity engines and automatic gearboxes. Monthly instalments are calculated throughout 72-months with a 10% deposit and no balloon or residual. The interest rate is set at 11%.

Toyota Starlet 1.4 XR auto

With the instalment parameters in place, the Starlet 1.4 XS auto will work out at R4 164 per month over 72 months.

Ford Figo hatch 1.5 Trend auto

With the instalment parameters in place, the Figo hatch Trend auto will work out at R4 385 per month over 72 months.

Volkswagen Polo Vivo hatch 1.6 Comfortline auto

With the instalment parameters in place, the Polo Vivo 1.6 Comfortline auto will work out at R4 639 per month over 72 months.

Fuel consumption

Fuel consumption is an important consideration for people shopping in this segment. Looking at the claimed consumption figures, the Toyota Starlet has the smallest capacity engine and has the lowest kerb weight, making the fact that it has the lowest claimed consumption figure believable. Coming second in the comparison is the Polo Vivo, on paper at least, despite being heavier and having a slightly larger capacity engine than the Ford Figo.

Warranties & service plans

The trio has different warranties, with the Toyota coming with a 3-year/100 000km warranty, the Figo a 4-year/120 000km warranty and the Polo Vivo a 3-year/120 000km warranty. The Polo Vivo is the only model without a standard service plan while the Starlet gets a 3-service/45 000km plan and the Figo a 4-year/60 000km plan, making it superior from both a warranty and service perspective.

Verdict

Having looked at the data, it becomes clear that the trio assembled here will all offer reasonably priced models of transport, however, there can only be one winner. Thanks to its fuel consumption, low list price and reasonable service plan and warranty, the Toyota Starlet wins this comparison and is likely to have the lowest running costs of the three cars here throughout the first few years of ownership.