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What is the difference between a Toyota Starlet and a Toyota Starlet Cross?

When it comes to The Starlet and its Cross brethren, do you know what the difference between the two is?

Author - Lawrence Minnie
Buying a Car1 min read
Toyota Starlet
Toyota Starlet
Toyota Starlet
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Hatch versus Cross

The Toyota Starlet has quickly become one of South Africa's favourite hatchbacks, exchanging monthly positions with models like Volkswagen's Polo Vivo and Suzuki's Swift. In a market slowly usurped by crossovers and SUVs, hatchbacks are still in high demand.

Related: Toyota Starlet Cross (2024) - First Drive Review

In mid-2024, Toyota again changed the game by releasing a crossover version of the Starlet. Dubbed the Starlet Cross, the model appeared to be a slightly lifted version of the Starlet with some extra plastic cladding to give it a chunkier appearance, but the differences go much deeper than that.

How popular is the Toyota Starlet Cross?


Toyota Starlet Cross

Exterior

The Cross receives a distinct front bumper, grille design, and LED DRLs (Day Time Running Lights), with the rear taillights receiving unique inner elements. The vehicle rides 20mm higher than the standard Starlet, is 50mm taller, 5mm longer and 20mm wider than the hatch and receives its unique colour palette not available on the smaller Starlet. You will only get the Fire Orange, Galaxy Blue, and optional black roof on the Cross models. 


Toyota Starlet Interior


Interior

The Cross model gets updated tech inside with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, a reverse camera, keyless entry, six speakers, four more airbags, a 9.0-inch infotainment screen, an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, a panoramic camera system, a wireless charging pad, and a heads-up display.


Author - Lawrence Minnie

Written by Lawrence Minnie

Lawrence has been involved with motorsports for almost 30 years. Whether it's two wheels or four, if it has an engine, he will try to race it. This love of motor vehicles has led him to ride, drive, film, photograph, and write about his passion. Freelance for a while but now a permanent fixture on the AutoTrader team for over 7 years, Lawrence contributes written, photographic, and video content for AutoTrader and AutoTrader Bikes.Read more

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Ané AlbertseJournalistChad LückhoffJournalistCharleen ClarkeJournalistLawrence MinnieJournalistRyno FourieJournalistSean NurseJournalist