VS
At a Glance
Power
73kW@5500
77 kW
Torque
136Nm@4200
138 Nm
Fuel
6.1
5.4 l/100km
Towing
1000
1000 Kg
0-100 km/h
11.6
11.2 s
Engine
1396
1462 cc
Choosing between the HYUNDAI i20 and the Toyota Starlet is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The HYUNDAI i20 delivers 73kW@5500 while the Toyota Starlet produces 77 kW. On fuel, the i20 returns 6.1 while the Starlet uses 5.4 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R179 900 for the i20 and R278 700 for the Starlet. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
73kW@5500
77 kW
Torque
136Nm@4200
138 Nm
0-100 kph
11.6
11.2 s
Top Speed
181
175 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1396
1462 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
UNLEADED
petrol
Transmission
MANUAL
manual
Number of Gears
6
5
Drive Wheels
FRONT
front
Full Time 4x4
✗
—
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.1
5.4 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
45
37 l
CO2 Emissions
132
127 g/km
Dimensions
Length
3995
3990 mm
Width
-1710
1745 mm
Height
1490
1500 mm
Wheelbase
2525
2520 mm
Ground Clearance
150
150 mm
Kerb Weight
1028
965 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
—
314- l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1000
1000 Kg
Load Capacity
295
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✗
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✗
—
Airbag Count
2
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✗
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✗
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✗
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✗
—
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✗
—
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✗
—
Sunroof
✗
—
Heated Seats
✗
—
Electric Seat Adjustment
✗
—
Keyless Entry
✗
—
Alloy Wheels
✗
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
60
3
Warranty Distance
150000
100000 Km
Service Plan
S
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
4 services
Service Plan Distance
—
60000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Toyota Starlet
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Starlet
Fuel Economy
Starlet
Value
i20
Practicality
Tied
Pros & Cons
HYUNDAI i20
Lower starting price (R179 900)
Higher fuel consumption (6.1)
No factory service plan
Toyota Starlet
Better fuel economy (5.4 l/100km)
Factory service plan included
Quicker 0-100 km/h (11.2 ss)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the i20 or Starlet?
The i20 uses 6.1 and the Starlet uses 5.4 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Starlet is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the i20 or Starlet?
The i20 produces 73kW@5500 and 136Nm@4200 of torque while the Starlet delivers 77 kW and 138 Nm of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the i20 and Starlet?
The i20 starts from R179 900 and the Starlet from R278 700. The i20 is cheaper by R98 800 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the i20 or Starlet?
The i20 has a braked towing capacity of 1000 and the Starlet can tow 1000 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the i20 or the Starlet?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.