VS
At a Glance
Power
74kW@6000
77 kW
Torque
133Nm@4000
138 Nm
Fuel
6.1L/100km
5.7 l/100km
Towing
-
1000 Kg
0-100 km/h
10s
11.2 s
Engine
1490cc
1462 cc
Choosing between the Suzuki Swift and the Toyota Starlet is one of the most common decisions car buyers in South Africa face. The Suzuki Swift delivers 74kW@6000 while the Toyota Starlet produces 77 kW. On fuel, the Swift returns 6.1L/100km while the Starlet uses 5.7 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R163 900 for the Swift and R334 200 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
74kW@6000
77 kW
Torque
133Nm@4000
138 Nm
0-100 kph
10s
11.2 s
Top Speed
175km/h
160 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1490cc
1462 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
UNLEADED
petrol
Transmission
MANUAL
automatic
Number of Gears
5
4
Drive Wheels
FRONT
front
Full Time 4x4
✗
—
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.1L/100km
5.7 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
-
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
-
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
43L
37 l
CO2 Emissions
161g/km
133 g/km
Dimensions
Length
3755mm
3990 mm
Width
1690mm
1745 mm
Height
1510mm
1500 mm
Wheelbase
2390mm
2520 mm
Ground Clearance
145mm
150 mm
Kerb Weight
980kg
990 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
—
314- l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
-
1000 Kg
Load Capacity
494kg
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✗
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✗
—
Airbag Count
6
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✗
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✗
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
-
—
Bluetooth
✗
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✗
—
Reversing Camera
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✗
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✗
—
Sunroof
✗
—
Heated Seats
✗
—
Electric Seat Adjustment
✗
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
36
3
Warranty Distance
100000km
100000 Km
Service Plan
S
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
4 servicesyr
Service Plan Distance
—
60000km
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Toyota Starlet
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Starlet
Fuel Economy
Starlet
Value
Swift
Practicality
Starlet
Pros & Cons
Suzuki Swift
Lower starting price (R163 900)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (10ss)
Higher fuel consumption (6.1L/100km)
No factory service plan
Toyota Starlet
Better fuel economy (5.7 l/100km)
Higher towing capacity (1000 Kg)
Factory service plan included
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Swift or Starlet?
The Swift uses 6.1L/100km and the Starlet uses 5.7 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Starlet is the more fuel-efficient choice. In real-world conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, actual figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Swift or Starlet?
The Swift produces 74kW@6000 and 133Nm@4000 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 Swift and Starlet?
The Swift starts from R163 900 and the Starlet from R334 200. The Swift is cheaper by R170 300 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Swift or Starlet?
The Swift has a braked towing capacity of 0kg and the Starlet can tow 1000 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Swift 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.
Also Consider