A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
Includes a historical vehicle
Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
Recorded price context
Puma:
last listed from
ZAR 389,900
·
Starlet Cross:
current from
ZAR 304,900
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Maximum Power
92 kW @ 6000 rpm
77 kW
Maximum Torque
170 Nm
140 Nm
Engine Size
999 cc
1498 cc
Claimed Mileage
16.4 km/l
18.5 km/l
Ground Clearance
170 mm
185 mm
Boot / Load Bay
456 l
270 l
Airbags
8
4
Kerb Weight
1325 kg
1080 kg
Seating Capacity
Not confirmed
-
Warranty
3
3 years / 100 000 km
= leads in this spec
Archived models stay fully comparable. Verified specs remain visible; historical fields that were not source-confirmed are marked Not confirmed instead of being guessed.
The Bottom Line
Puma has a slight advantage, but Starlet Cross remains highly competitive.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Puma
+6 pts
Efficiency
Starlet Cross
+6 pts
Safety
Puma
+36 pts
Practicality
Puma
+3 pts
Ownership
Starlet Cross
+1 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
🏆 Overall Winner
Puma
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package
More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to:Highway DrivingFamily Usage
Starlet Cross
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features
Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to:Fuel Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Puma
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Large families needing more practicality and usability
Starlet Cross
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind
Full Specs, Side by Side
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Model Introduced Year
2023
2022
Generation
First generation Puma in South Africa
First generation Starlet Cross for SA market
Facelift History
New model introduced in South Africa
Introduced to SA in 2022 as a Starlet-based crossover
Tare Mass Kg
1325 kg
1080 kg
Facelift Launched Since
Not confirmed
2022
Facelift Version Ending
Not confirmed
Current
Body Style
Not confirmed
SUV
Color Note
Not confirmed
White Pearl, Silver Metallic, Black, Blue, Red
Dealer Stock Note
Not confirmed
Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year
Not confirmed
2026
Production Status
Not confirmed
published
Segment
Not confirmed
SUV
Vehicle Type
Not confirmed
SUV
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Drivetrain Layout
Front Wheel Drive
FF
LSD Available
Not Applicable
No
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Standard
No
Engine Position
Front Transverse
-
Gearbox
7-Speed Automatic DCT
CVT
Transmission Type
7-Speed Automatic DCT
Continuously Variable Transmission
Gearbox Type
7-Speed Automatic DCT
CVT
Final Drive Ratio
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
Not confirmed
5
Clutch Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Drivetrain
Not confirmed
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not confirmed
No
Differential Type Front
Not confirmed
Not Available
Differential Type Rear
Not confirmed
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Low Range Ratio
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Not confirmed
FWD
Rear Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Transfer Case Guard
Not confirmed
Not Available
Transmission Speeds
Not confirmed
5
Gear Shift Type
Not confirmed
CVT
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Claimed Mileage
16.4 km/l
18.5 km/l
City Mileage
12 km/l
14.0 km/l
Highway Mileage
18 km/l
18.5 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
42 l
42 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro 4
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
42
42
Average Fuel Consumption
Not confirmed
5.4 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
Not confirmed
5.4 l/100km
Fuel Efficiency
Not confirmed
5.4 l/100km
Real-world Mileage
16.4 km/l
18.5 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Combined Consumption
Not confirmed
5.4 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
Not confirmed
5.4 l/100km
Fuel Economy Combined
Not confirmed
5.4 l/100km
Combined Driving Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Airbags
8
4
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Alarm System
Standard
Standard
Central Locking
Standard
Standard
Side Impact Beams
Standard
-
TCS
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Not confirmed
Not Available
Front Parking Sensors
Not confirmed
Not Available
AEB
Standard
Not Available
BA
Not confirmed
Standard
Brake Override System
Not confirmed
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Not confirmed
Not Available
Driver Airbag
Not confirmed
4
EBD
Not confirmed
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not confirmed
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Not confirmed
4
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not confirmed
Not Available
Side Airbags
Not confirmed
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not confirmed
Not Available
Knee Airbag
Not confirmed
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Anti Theft Alarm
Not confirmed
Standard
Driver Front Passenger Airbags
Not confirmed
4
Driver Passenger Airbags
Not confirmed
4
ESC With Traction Control
Not confirmed
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Cruise Control
Adaptive
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Front and Rear
Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Standard
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Standard
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not confirmed
Not Available
Auto Lights
Not confirmed
Not Available
EV Mode
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Not confirmed
Rear
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Park Assist
Not confirmed
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Not Available
Emergency Braking
Not confirmed
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Not confirmed
Not Available
Parking Distance Sensors
Not confirmed
Rear
Parking Sensor
Not confirmed
Rear
Pre-Collision System
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rain Sensor Wipers
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear View Camera
Not confirmed
Standard
Reverse Camera Type
Not confirmed
Standard
Reversing Camera
Not confirmed
Standard
Surround View Camera
Not Available
Not Available
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Seat Material
Sport Partial Leather
Fabric
Seat Adjustment
Electric 6-Way
Manual 6-Way
Heated Seats
Front
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Steering Type
Electric
Electric
Steering Adjustment
Tilt and Telescopic
Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting
Ambient Sport Lighting
Not Applicable
Folding Rear Seats
60/40 Split
Standard
Front Armrest
Standard
Standard
Rear Armrest
Standard
-
Rear USB Ports
Not confirmed
2
Steering Wheel Material
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Instrument Cluster Type
Not confirmed
Not Available
Interior Colour Options
Not confirmed
5
60 40 Split Seat
Not confirmed
Standard
Adjustable Driver Seat
Not confirmed
Manual 6-Way
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not confirmed
Manual 6-Way
Fabric Seats
Not confirmed
Fabric
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not confirmed
Manual
Armrest Front
Not confirmed
Standard
Driver Seat
Not confirmed
Manual 6-Way
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Not confirmed
7-inch touchscreen, reversing camera, air conditioning, 5-seat layout
Leather Accented Seat Trim
Not confirmed
Fabric
Interior Colours
Not confirmed
5
Seat Fold Type
Not confirmed
Standard
Seat Trim
Not confirmed
Fabric
Front Shoulder Room
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Climate Control
Automatic AC
Manual AC
Power Windows
All Doors
All Doors
Keyless Entry
Smart Entry
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Automatic Headlamps
Standard
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Available
Auto Dimming Mirror
Standard
-
AC Type
Automatic AC
Manual AC
Engine Start Stop
Standard
Standard
Engine Start Stop Button
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Spare Wheel
Tyre Repair Kit
Compact
Air Conditioning
Automatic AC
Manual AC
Rim Size
19-inch Sport Alloy
Standard
Sound System
6
4
Unlocking
Smart Entry
Standard
Wireless Charger
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Dampers
Not confirmed
Not Available
Climate Zones
Not confirmed
Manual AC
Electric Folding Mirrors
Not confirmed
All Doors
Engine Start Button Illumination
Not confirmed
Standard
TPMS
Standard
Standard
Engine Warranty
Not confirmed
5 Years / 150,000 km
Front Armrest
Not confirmed
Standard
Fuel Consumption Combined
Not confirmed
5.4
Hill Start Assist
Not confirmed
Standard
Panoramic Roof
Not Available
Not Available
Performance Data Logger
Not confirmed
Not Available
Power Mirrors
Not confirmed
All Doors
Rear Seat Split
Not confirmed
Standard
Rear Wing
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rev Matching
Not confirmed
Not Available
Seat Type
Not confirmed
Fabric
Stabilizer Bar
Not confirmed
Front
Telescopic Steering
Not confirmed
Tilt and Telescopic
Tilt Steering
Not confirmed
Tilt and Telescopic
Voice Command
Not confirmed
Not Available
Voice Command Support
Not confirmed
Not Available
Accelerator 0 100
Not confirmed
11.8 sec
Battery Preconditioning
Not confirmed
Not Available
Bed Extender
Not confirmed
Not Available
Canopy Fitment
Not confirmed
Not Available
Centre Console
Not confirmed
Standard
Common Rail Injection
Not confirmed
Multi-Point EFI
Diff Lock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Difflock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Digital Speedometer
Not confirmed
Not Available
Front Diff Lock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Intelligent Battery System
Not confirmed
Not Available
Intelligent Keyless Entry
Not confirmed
Standard
Lift Gate
Not confirmed
Not Available
Load Bed Cover
Not confirmed
Not Available
Load Bed Light
Not confirmed
Not Available
Load Bed Steps
Not confirmed
Not Available
Loadbox Depth Mm
Not confirmed
Not Available
Loadbox Rope Hooks
Not confirmed
Not Available
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
Not confirmed
Not Available
Manual Aircon
Not confirmed
Manual AC
Mirror
Not confirmed
All Doors
One Pedal Driving
Not confirmed
Not Available
Passive Entry Start
Not confirmed
Standard
Powered Tailgate
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Diff Lock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Electric Motor
Not confirmed
Not Available
Regenerative Braking Levels
Not confirmed
Not Available
Remote Central Locking
Not confirmed
Standard
Roof Rack Compatibility
Not confirmed
Not Available
Sonar
Not confirmed
Rear
Source Model Column
Not confirmed
starlet-cross
Sport Plus Mode
Not confirmed
Not Available
Sports Bar
Not confirmed
Not Available
Stabilizer Bar Front
Not confirmed
Front
Steering Column Adjustment
Not confirmed
Tilt and Telescopic
Surround View Monitor
Not Available
Not Available
Tailgate Damper
Not confirmed
Not Available
Tailgate Lock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Tow Bar Type
Not confirmed
Not Available
Trim Level
Not confirmed
top
Variant Role
Not confirmed
Mid-to-high value derivative
Vdc
Not confirmed
Standard
Vehicle To Grid
Not confirmed
Not Available
Vehicle To Load
Not confirmed
Not Available
Walk Away Auto Door Lock
Not confirmed
Standard
Walk Away Lock
Not confirmed
Standard
Load Bed Length
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not confirmed
270 l
Loadbox Length Mm
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Length
4186 mm
4055 mm
Width
1805 mm
1740 mm
Height
1531 mm
1575 mm
Wheelbase
2594 mm
2520 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
42 l
42 l
Kerb Weight
1325 kg
1080 kg
Towing Capacity
1200 kg
-
Ground Clearance (Default)
170 mm
185 mm
Boot/Cargo Space
456 l
270 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1775 kg
1480 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Minimum Turning Radius
5.4 m
5.1 m
Doors
Not confirmed
5 doors
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Engine
1-litre Turbocharged Petrol
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Cylinders
3
4
Valves
4
16
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Multi-Point Injection
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Top Speed
185 km/h
175 km/h
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Displacement
999 cc
1498 cc
Transmission
7-Speed DCT
CVT
0-100 km/h
10.5 sec
11.8 sec
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Maximum Power
92 kW @ 6000 rpm
77 kW
Maximum Torque
170 Nm
140 Nm
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
69.4 kW/tonne
71.3 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
128.3 Nm/tonne
129.6 Nm/tonne
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Apple CarPlay
Wireless
Standard
Android Auto
Wireless
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
4
Navigation System
Standard
Not Available
Digital Instrument Cluster
12-inch Full Digital
Not Applicable
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Wireless
Standard
Infotainment System
12-inch SYNC 4 Touchscreen
8-inch Touchscreen
Audio Speakers
6
4
Wireless Android Auto
Wireless
Standard
USB Ports
3
2
Voice Recognition
Not confirmed
Not Available
Infotainment Screen Size
Not confirmed
8-inch Touchscreen
Infotainment Display
Not confirmed
8-inch Touchscreen
Rear Usb
Not confirmed
2
Audio System
Not confirmed
4
Display Audio
Not confirmed
8-inch Touchscreen
Front Rear USB Charge Ports
Not confirmed
2
Infotainment Screen
Not confirmed
8-inch Touchscreen
Multi Information Display
Not confirmed
Not Available
Connected Services
Not confirmed
Standard
Voice Control
Not confirmed
Not Available
Smartphone Connectivity
Not confirmed
Standard
Touchscreen
Not confirmed
8-inch Touchscreen
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
LED Headlamps
Full LED
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Standard
Fog Lamps
LED
Standard
Roof Rails
Standard
Not Available
Alloy Wheel Design
19-inch Sport Alloy
Standard
Chrome Exterior Finish
Not Available
Not Available
Body Cladding
Standard
-
Rear Spoiler
Sport Rear Spoiler
Not Available
DRL
LED
Standard
Led Headlights
Full LED
Standard
Daytime Running Lights
LED
Standard
Front Fog Lamps
LED
Standard
Headlamps
Full LED
Standard
Headlight Type
Full LED
Standard
Headlights
Full LED
Standard
Roof Type
Not confirmed
Not Available
Body Type
Not confirmed
SUV
Fog Lights
Not confirmed
Standard
Front Fog Lights
Not confirmed
Standard
Auto Headlights
Not confirmed
Not Available
Automatic Headlamps
Not confirmed
Not Available
Electric Blind Sunroof
Not confirmed
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Not confirmed
5
Exterior Mirror Electric
Not confirmed
All Doors
Headlamp Levelling
Not confirmed
Standard
Load Bed Liner
Not confirmed
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Spoiler
Not confirmed
Not Available
Active Exhaust
Not confirmed
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Not confirmed
5
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Tyre Size
225/40 R19
195/55 R16
Wheel Type
19-inch Sport Alloy
Standard
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Solid Disc
Drum
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre Repair Kit
Compact
Wheel Rim Size
19-inch Sport Alloy
Standard
Brake Type Front
Ventilated Disc
Disc
Brake Type Rear
Solid Disc
Drum
Spare Tyre
Tyre Repair Kit
Compact
Wheel Diameter
19-inch Sport Alloy
Standard
Wheels
19-inch Sport Alloy
Standard
Tyre Type
Not confirmed
195/55 R16
Autonomous Emergency Brake
Not confirmed
Not Available
Brakes
Not confirmed
Disc
Cornering Brake Control
Not confirmed
Standard
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not confirmed
Not Available
Handbrake Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Hydraulic Brake Assist
Not confirmed
Standard
Spare Wheel Size Type
Not confirmed
Compact
Steering Wheel Cruise Controls
Not confirmed
Standard
Tyre Pressure Display
Not confirmed
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitoring
Standard
Standard
Wheel Material
19-inch Sport Alloy
Standard
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension
Torsion Beam
Torsion Beam
Chassis Type
Monocoque
-
Power Steering
Electric
Electric
Steering Column
Tilt and Telescopic
Tilt and Telescopic
Front Suspension Type
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension Type
Torsion Beam
Torsion Beam
Front Track Width
1541 mm
Not Applicable
Rear Track Width
1534 mm
Not Applicable
Front Spring Type
Not confirmed
MacPherson Strut
Rear Spring Type
Not confirmed
Torsion Beam
Front Anti-Roll Bar
Not confirmed
Front
MagneRide Damping
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Axle Type
Not confirmed
Torsion Beam
Suspension
Not confirmed
MacPherson Strut
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Service Interval
15,000 km or 1 Year
-
Approx Service Cost
Approx R5,000
-
Battery Warranty
Not Applicable
5 Years / 150,000 km
Maintenance Plan
Optional
3 Years / 45,000 km
Service Intervals
15,000 km or 1 Year
-
Service Plan Duration
Not confirmed
3 Years / 45,000 km
Service Plan Distance
Not confirmed
3 Years / 45,000 km
Service Plan
Not confirmed
3 Years / 45,000 km
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Warranty Years
3
3 years / 100 000 km
Warranty Kilometers
3
3 years / 100 000 km
Roadside Assistance
3 Years
3 Years
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
6 Years
-
Basic Warranty
3
3 years / 100 000 km
Roadside Assistance
3 Years
3 Years
Warranty
3
3 years / 100 000 km
Warranty Roadside Assistance
3 Years
3 Years
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
CO2 Emissions
118 g/km
128 g/km
Start Stop System
Standard
-
Hybrid System Type
Mild Hybrid
Not Available
Noise Level
67 dB
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Not confirmed
Petrol
Particulate Filter
Not confirmed
Not Available
Euro Emission Standard
Not confirmed
Euro 4
Idle CO2 Output
Not confirmed
128
CO2 Emissions G Km
Not confirmed
128
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Real-world City Mileage Min
12 l/100km
6.5 l/100km
Real-world City Mileage Max
15 l/100km
8 l/100km
Real-world Highway Mileage Min
15 l/100km
5.5 l/100km
Real-world Highway Mileage Max
18 l/100km
6.5 l/100km
Owner Review Count
16
8
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Ground Clearance Max
170 mm
185 mm
Ground Clearance Min
170 mm
185 mm
Approach Angle
Not confirmed
Not Available
Departure Angle
Not confirmed
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Not confirmed
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Not Available
Breakover Angle
Not confirmed
Not Available
Energy Recovery Display
Not confirmed
Not Available
Front Skid Plate Guard
Not confirmed
Not Available
Off Road Descent Control
Not confirmed
Not Available
Off Road Traction Assist
Not confirmed
Not Available
Crawl Control
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Skid Plate Guard
Not confirmed
Not Available
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
Not confirmed
Not Available
Skid Plates Transfer Case
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Mud
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Normal
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Rock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Sand
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Snow
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Response System
Not confirmed
Not Available
Underbody Camera
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Puma
Starlet Cross
Ownership Role
Not confirmed
Top
Price Source
Not confirmed
South Africa variant price CSV; verify against latest OEM price list
Price Zar
Not confirmed
375900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Not confirmed
Current listed price
Starting Price
Not confirmed
375900
Starting Price Zar
Not confirmed
375900
Overall Verdict Score
Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.
Weighted / 100
Verdict readout
Puma leads by 9 points
Puma has a slight advantage, but Starlet Cross remains highly competitive.
Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Overall Winner
Puma
Performance
40/100
Efficiency
64/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
61/100
Ownership
43/100
Starlet Cross
Performance
34/100
Efficiency
70/100
Safety
63/100
Practicality
58/100
Ownership
44/100
So, Which One Should You Buy?
🏆Ford Puma
wins with 62 pts
vs 53 pts for Starlet Cross
In structured scoring, Puma emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Starlet Cross may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
On our scoring the Puma edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.
Efficiency scores: Puma 64 vs Starlet Cross 70. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.
Safety scores: Puma 99, Starlet Cross 63. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.
Long-term ownership scores: Puma 43, Starlet Cross 44. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.
Practicality scores: Puma 61, Starlet Cross 58. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Puma 40, Starlet Cross 34. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.
Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.
Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.
Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Puma edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The Puma scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
The comparison between Puma and Starlet Cross in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Puma scores 40 vs 34.
Efficiency: Puma scores 64 vs 70.
Safety: Puma scores 99 vs 63.
Practicality: Puma scores 61 vs 58.
Ownership: Puma scores 43 vs 44.
Final structured scoring gives Puma
the advantage in this comparison.
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