Source type: Hyundai Kenya
Hyundai STARIA vs Toyota Starlet
A proper head-to-head in Kenya — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Hyundai STARIA
STARIA 2.2D Automatic
Diesel
8-Speed Automatic
Current
KES 8,950,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 130 kW
🔧 431 Nm
VS
Toyota Starlet
1.5 Petrol MT STYLE
Petrol
5-Speed Manual
Current
KES 3,150,000
ex-showroom
⚡ 77 kW
🔧 138 Nm
Decision summary
Hyundai STARIA vs Toyota Starlet: the short answer
STARIA has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over Starlet.
Starlet starts KES 5,980,000 cheaper
STARIA from KES 8,950,000 · Starlet from KES 2,970,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives| Specification | STARIA | Starlet |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Power | STARIA130 kW | Starlet77 kW @ 6000 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | STARIA431 Nm | Starlet138 Nm @ 4400 rpm |
| Engine Size | STARIA2199 cc | Starlet1462 cc |
| Combined Fuel Economy | STARIANot Officially Disclosed | StarletNot Officially Disclosed |
| Ground Clearance | STARIA186 mm | Starlet150 mm |
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Source type: Toyota Kenya official specification page
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
STARIA
Strengths
- More powerful engine output
- Stronger listed safety equipment
- Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
- Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:
Published Performance
Published Practicality
Starlet
Strengths
- Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
- Less powerful engine setup
- Fewer listed safety features
- Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:
Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
STARIA
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
- Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
- Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Starlet
- Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
| Spec | STARIA | Starlet |
|---|---|---|
| Model Introduced Year | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Generation | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Facelift History | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Facelift Launched Since | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Facelift Version Ending | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Body Style | MPV | Hatchback |
| Model Year | Not Officially Disclosed | 2026 |
| Production Status | Active | active |
| Segment | Kenya-market MPV | Compact hatchback |
| Vehicle Type | MPV | Hatchback |
| Spec | STARIA | Starlet |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5253 mm | 3990 mm |
| Width | 1997 mm | 1745 mm |
| Height | 1990 mm | 1500 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3273 mm | 2520 mm |
| Ground Clearance (Default) | 186 mm | 150 mm |
| Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) | 171 mm | 135 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 75 l | 37 l |
| Boot/Cargo Space | 831 l | 314 l |
| Kerb Weight | 2190 kg | 980 kg |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | 2950 kg | 1430 kg |
| Payload Capacity | 760 kg | 450 kg |
| Towing Capacity | 2500 kg | 1000 kg |
| Seating Capacity | Not Officially Disclosed | 5 seats |
| Number of Rows | Not Officially Disclosed | 2 rows |
| Doors | 5 doors | 5 doors |
| Minimum Turning Radius | 5.94 m | 5.1 m |
| Front Headroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Rear Headroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Front Legroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
| Rear Legroom | Not Officially Disclosed | Not Officially Disclosed |
In depth: how these cars differ
This STARIA and Starlet comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for Kenya. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: STARIA 67 vs Starlet 35.
Efficiency index: STARIA 46 vs Starlet 60.
Safety-equipment index: STARIA 94 vs Starlet 47.
Practicality index: STARIA 79 vs Starlet 51.
Ownership-cover index: STARIA not separately scored vs Starlet not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
STARIA and Starlet image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
Hyundai STARIA
View 8 more STARIA images
Toyota Starlet
View 8 more Starlet images
Specification Evidence Index
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence-index readout
STARIA leads by 26 points
STARIA has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over Starlet.
Evidence leader
73
/100
Lead
26
points
Data
63%
source coverage
73
#1
Evidence leader
STARIA
Performance
67
Efficiency
46
Safety
94
Practicality
79
Leads by 26 points
47
#2
Starlet
Performance
35
Efficiency
60
Safety
47
Practicality
51
Performance 24%
Safety 22%
Practicality 22%
Efficiency 17%
Ownership 15%
Category leaders
What moves the verdict
Performance
STARIA +32
Efficiency
Starlet +14
Safety
STARIA +47
Practicality
STARIA +28
Large difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
STARIA
Performance
67/100
Efficiency
46/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
79/100
Starlet
Performance
35/100
Efficiency
60/100
Safety
47/100
Practicality
51/100
What the evidence means
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, STARIA leads. However, Starlet may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in Kenya.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related Kenya models and comparable body styles.
STARIA vs Starlet questions
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in Kenya on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.