Suzuki Jimny vs Toyota Starlet Cross

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Suzuki Jimny in South Africa

Suzuki Jimny

1.5 GLX AllGrip AT Petrol 4-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 466,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 75 kW 🔧 130 Nm ⛽ 15.9 km/l
VS
Toyota Starlet Cross in South Africa

Toyota Starlet Cross

1.5 XR CVT Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 375,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 77 kW 🔧 140 Nm ⛽ 18.5 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Suzuki Jimny vs Toyota Starlet Cross: the short answer

Jimny and Starlet Cross are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Starlet Cross starts ZAR 140,000 cheaper Jimny from ZAR 444,900 · Starlet Cross from ZAR 304,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Jimny Starlet Cross
Maximum Power Jimny75 kW @ 6000 rpm Starlet Cross77 kW
Maximum Torque Jimny130 Nm @ 4000 rpm Starlet Cross140 Nm
Engine Size Jimny1462 cc Starlet Cross1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Jimny15.9 km/l Starlet Cross18.5 km/l
Ground Clearance Jimny210 mm Starlet Cross185 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

Jimny

Strengths
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published ownership cover
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use

Starlet Cross

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published ownership cover
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Jimny

  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published warranty or service cover

Starlet Cross

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Jimny Starlet Cross
Model Introduced Year 2019 2022
Generation Fourth generation (JB74 series); entirely new K15B engine replaces previous K13B; AllGrip Pro 4WD system replaces previous generation's 4WD setup; new body retains ladder-frame construction and live rear axle from all previous generations First generation Starlet Cross for SA market
Facelift History Fourth-generation Jimny launched globally in 2018 and in SA in 2019; minor specification updates in 2021 including updated connectivity; 5-door Jimny Sierra launched globally in 2023 but not confirmed for SA as of end-2025; no mechanical changes to the 3-door SA model since launch Introduced to SA in 2022 as a Starlet-based crossover
Facelift Launched Since 2025 2022
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Color Note Kinetic Yellow, Sizzling Red, Granite Grey, Brisk Blue, Chiffon Ivory White, Bluish Black Pearl White Pearl, Silver Metallic, Black, Blue, Red
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.5 GLX AllGrip AT -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment SUV SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1115 kg 1080 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec Jimny Starlet Cross
Length 3625 mm 4055 mm
Width 1645 mm 1740 mm
Height 1720 mm 1575 mm
Wheelbase 2250 mm 2520 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 210 mm 185 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 40 l 42 l
Boot/Cargo Space 85 l 270 l
Kerb Weight 1110 kg 1080 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1435 kg 1480 kg
Payload Capacity 325 kg 400 kg
Towing Capacity 1300 kg 1600 kg
Seating Capacity 4 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 3 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 4.9 m 5.1 m
Front Headroom 990 mm 991 mm
Rear Headroom 910 mm 940 mm
Front Legroom 900 mm 1039 mm
Rear Legroom 600 mm 881 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Jimny and Starlet Cross comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Jimny 29 vs Starlet Cross 34.

Efficiency index: Jimny 61 vs Starlet Cross 70.

Safety-equipment index: Jimny 88 vs Starlet Cross 70.

Practicality index: Jimny 44 vs Starlet Cross 55.

Ownership-cover index: Jimny 71 vs Starlet Cross 43.

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.

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 / 100
Evidence-index readout

Jimny leads by 3 points

Jimny and Starlet Cross are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 57 /100
Lead 3 points
Data 93% source coverage
57
#1 Evidence leader

Jimny

93% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Performance 29
Performance 29
Efficiency 61
Safety 88
Practicality 44
Ownership 71
Leads by 3 points
54
#2

Starlet Cross

87% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 70 Check Performance 34
Performance 34
Efficiency 70
Safety 70
Practicality 55
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Starlet Cross +5 Efficiency Starlet Cross +9 Safety Jimny +18 Practicality Starlet Cross +11 Ownership Jimny +28

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Jimny

Performance 29/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 44/100
Ownership 71/100

Starlet Cross

Performance 34/100
Efficiency 70/100
Safety 70/100
Practicality 55/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Suzuki Jimny leads the specification evidence index with 57 pts vs 54 pts for Starlet Cross

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Jimny leads. However, Starlet Cross may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Jimny vs Starlet Cross questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa 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.