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.
UX has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Starlet remains close.
Starlet starts ZAR 712,200 cheaperStarlet from ZAR 244,900 · UX from ZAR 957,100
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Starlet
UX
Maximum Power
Starlet72 kW @ 5500 rpm
UX146 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
Starlet140 Nm
UX188 Nm
Engine Size
Starlet996 cc
UX2000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Starlet16.7 km/l
UX23.8 km/l
Ground Clearance
Starlet162 mm
UX160 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Toyota Starlet
1.0T XR CVT
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Standard Front + Rear,Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Spec
Starlet
UX
AC Type
Automatic AC
Auto Dual zone
Accelerator 0 100
12.0 sec
-
Adaptive Dampers
Not Available
-
Air Conditioning
Automatic AC
Auto Dual zone
Auto Dimming Irvm
Standard
-
Auto Dimming Mirror
Standard
-
Automatic Headlamps
Standard
-
Battery Preconditioning
Not Available
-
Bed Extender
Not Available
-
Canopy Fitment
Not Available
-
Centre Console
Not Available
-
Climate Control
Automatic AC
Auto Dual zone
Climate Zones
Automatic AC
-
Common Rail Injection
Direct Injection
-
Diff Lock
Not Applicable
-
Difflock
Not Applicable
-
Digital Speedometer
Full Digital
-
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Standard Power and Handsfree
Engine Start Button Illumination
Standard
-
Engine Start Stop
Standard
Push Start
Engine Start Stop Button
Standard
Push Start
Engine Warranty
Not Applicable
-
Front Armrest
Not Available
-
Front Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Fuel Consumption Combined
6
-
Hill Start Assist
Standard
-
Intelligent Battery System
Not Available
-
Intelligent Keyless Entry
Standard
-
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard Smart Entry
Lift Gate
Not Available
-
Load Bed Cover
Not Available
-
Load Bed Light
Not Available
-
Load Bed Steps
Not Available
-
Loadbox Depth Mm
Not Available
-
Loadbox Rope Hooks
Not Available
-
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
Not Available
-
Manual Aircon
Automatic AC
-
Mirror
All Doors
-
One Pedal Driving
Not Available
-
Panoramic Roof
Not Available
-
Passive Entry Start
Standard
-
Performance Data Logger
Not Available
-
Power Mirrors
All Doors
-
Power Windows
All Doors
-
Powered Tailgate
Not Available
-
Push Button Start
Standard
Push Start
Push Button Start
Standard
Push Start
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
Rear Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Rear Electric Motor
Not Available
-
Rear Seat Split
60/40 Split
-
Rear Wing
Not Available
-
Rearview Mirror Inside
Standard
-
Regenerative Braking Levels
Not Available
-
Remote Central Locking
Standard
-
Rev Matching
Not Available
-
Roof Rack Compatibility
Not Available
-
Seat Type
Fabric
-
Side Impact Bars
Standard
-
Skid Plates
Not Available
-
Sonar
Rear
-
Sound System
4
Standard 13
Source Model Column
starlet
-
Spare Wheel
Full Size Steel
-
Sport Plus Mode
Not Available
-
Sports Bar
Not Available
-
Steering Column Adjustment
Height Adjustable
-
Sub Frame
Monocoque
-
Sunroof
Not Available
-
Surround View Monitor
Not Available
Not Available
Tailgate Damper
Not Available
-
Tailgate Lock
Not Available
-
Telescopic Steering
Height Adjustable
-
Tilt Steering
Height Adjustable
-
Tow Bar Type
Not Available
-
TPMS
Standard
Standard Auto Location
Trim Level
top
-
Unlocking
Standard
Standard Smart Entry
Variant Role
Mid-to-high value derivative
-
Vdc
Standard
-
Vehicle To Grid
Not Available
-
Vehicle To Load
Not Available
-
Voice Command
Standard
-
Voice Command Support
Standard
-
Walk Away Auto Door Lock
Standard
-
Walk Away Lock
Standard
-
Wireless Charger
Optional
Standard
Wireless Charging
Optional
Standard
Electric Folding Mirrors
All Doors
-
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
265 l
-
Rim Size
15-inch Alloy Wheels
Run Flat
Heads Up Display
-
Standard
Spec
Starlet
UX
Active Exhaust
Not Available
-
Alloy Wheel Design
15-inch Alloy Wheels
-
Auto Headlights
Standard
-
Automatic Headlamps
Standard
-
Body Cladding
Not Available
-
Body Type
Hatchback
-
Chrome Exterior Finish
Not Available
-
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Standard LED
Daytime Running Lights
LED
Standard LED
DRL
LED
Standard LED
Electric Blind Sunroof
Not Available
-
Exterior Colour Options
6
Graphite Black GF, Sonic Chrome, Sonic Titanium, White Nova
Exterior Colour Options
7
-
Exterior Mirror Electric
All Doors
-
Fog Lamps
Standard
Standard LED
Fog Lights
Standard
-
Front Fog Lamps
Standard
Standard LED
Front Fog Lights
Standard
-
Headlamp Levelling
Full LED
-
Headlamps
Full LED
Standard
Headlight Type
Full LED
Standard
Headlights
Full LED
Standard
LED Headlamps
Full LED
Standard
Led Headlights
Full LED
Standard
Load Bed Liner
Not Available
-
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Spoiler
Not Available
-
Roof Rails
Not Available
Standard
Roof Type
Not Available
-
Rear Spoiler
Not Available
-
Spec
Starlet
UX
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
City Mileage
13 km/l
19.2 km/l
Claimed Mileage
16.7 km/l
23.8 km/l
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
Euro 5
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
40 l
43 l
Fuel Tank Litres
40
43
Highway Mileage
18 km/l
27.7 km/l
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
16.7 km/l
23.8 km/l
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Standard
Spec
Starlet
UX
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Audio Speakers
4
Standard 13
Audio System
4
Mark Levinson/ EMV
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Connected Services
Standard
Standard
Digital Instrument Cluster
Full Digital
Standard TFT,12.3-inch
Display Audio
9-inch Touchscreen
-
Front Rear USB Charge Ports
2
Standard 4PCs
Infotainment System
9-inch Touchscreen
Mark Levinson/ EMV
Infotainment Display
9-inch Touchscreen
-
Infotainment Screen
9-inch Touchscreen
Mark Levinson/ EMV
Multi Information Display
Full Digital
-
Navigation System
Standard
Standard/ EMV
Rear Usb
2
-
Infotainment Screen Size
9-inch Touchscreen
Mark Levinson/ EMV
Smartphone Connectivity
Standard
-
Number of Speakers
4
Standard 13
Touchscreen
9-inch Touchscreen
Mark Levinson/ EMV
USB Ports
2
Standard 4PCs
Voice Control
Standard
-
Voice Recognition
Standard
-
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Wireless Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Spec
Starlet
UX
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
6 Years
-
Basic Warranty
3 years / 100 000 km
7 years / 105,000km
Roadside Assistance
3 Years
-
Roadside Assistance
3 Years
-
Warranty
3 years / 100 000 km
7 years / 105,000km
Warranty Kilometers
3 years / 100 000 km
7 years / 105,000km
Warranty Roadside Assistance
3 Years
-
Warranty Years
3 years / 100 000 km
7 years / 105,000km
Spec
Starlet
UX
Autonomous Emergency Brake
Standard
-
Brake Type Front
Ventilated Disc
-
Brake Type Rear
Drum
-
Brakes
Ventilated Disc
-
Cornering Brake Control
Standard
-
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not Available
-
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated Disc
Hydraulic Brake Assist
Standard
-
Rear Brake Type
Drum
Solid
Spare Tyre
Full Size Steel
-
Spare Wheel Size Type
Full Size Steel
-
Spare Wheel Type
Full Size Steel
-
Steering Wheel Cruise Controls
Not Available
-
Tyre Pressure Display
Standard
-
Tyre Pressure Monitoring
Standard
Standard Auto Location
Tyre Size
195/55 R16
Run Flat
Tyre Type
195/55 R16
-
Wheel Material
15-inch Alloy Wheels
-
Wheel Type
15-inch Alloy Wheels
-
Wheels
15-inch Alloy Wheels
-
Wheel Rim Size
15-inch Alloy Wheels
Run Flat
Handbrake Type
Not Applicable
Electric
Wheel Diameter
15-inch Alloy Wheels
Run Flat
Spec
Starlet
UX
Battery Warranty
Not Applicable
8 years / 160,000km
Maintenance Plan
Optional
-
Engine Oil Change Interval
15,000 km or 1 Year
-
Approx Service Cost
Approx R3,200
-
Service Interval
15,000 km or 1 Year
12 months / 15,000km
Service Intervals
15,000 km or 1 Year
-
Service Plan
Optional
-
Service Plan Distance
Optional
-
Service Plan Duration
Optional
-
Spec
Starlet
UX
Body Style
Hatchback
SUV
Color Note
White, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red, Orange
-
Dealer Stock Note
Top grade in the South Africa lineup
-
Model Year
2026
2026
Segment
Hatchback
Luxury SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1005 kg
1585 kg
Vehicle Type
Hatchback
SUV
Model Introduced Year
2020
2019
Generation
First generation Starlet in South Africa on B-segment platform
Current Lexus UX compact luxury crossover with the 300h hybrid powertrain
Facelift History
Minor updates since launch
Updated local UX range centred on the UX 300h EX hybrid
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Updated local UX range centred on the UX 300h EX hybrid
Production Status
active
published
Spec
Starlet
UX
Boot/Cargo Space
265 l
268 l
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Fuel Tank Capacity
40 l
43 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1420 kg
2110 kg
Ground Clearance (Default)
162 mm
160 mm
Height
1520 mm
1520 mm
Kerb Weight
1005 kg
1585 kg
Length
3995 mm
4495 mm
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Minimum Turning Radius
4.9 m
5.2 m
Wheelbase
2520 mm
2640 mm
Width
1695 mm
1840 mm
Payload Capacity
415 kg
525 kg
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
-
Towing Capacity
1600 kg
-
Front Headroom
982 mm
-
Rear Headroom
955 mm
-
Front Legroom
1030 mm
-
Rear Legroom
885 mm
-
Spec
Starlet
UX
Chassis Material
Monocoque
-
Chassis Type
Monocoque
-
Front Spring Type
MacPherson Strut
-
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson -
Front Suspension Type
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson -
Front Track Width
1470 mm
1550 mm
MagneRide Damping
Not Available
-
Power Steering
Electric
-
Rear Axle Type
Torsion Beam
-
Rear Spring Type
Torsion Beam
-
Rear Suspension
Torsion Beam
Wishbone - Trailing
Rear Suspension Type
Torsion Beam
Wishbone - Trailing
Rear Track Width
1455 mm
1550 mm
Steering Column
Tilt Adjustable
-
Suspension
MacPherson Strut
-
Spec
Starlet
UX
CO2 Emissions
107 g/km
96 g/km
CO2 Emissions G Km
107
-
Euro Emission Standard
Euro 5
-
Hybrid System Type
Not Applicable
-
Idle CO2 Output
107
-
Noise Level
67 dB
-
Particulate Filter
Not Available
-
Start Stop System
Standard
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Petrol
-
Spec
Starlet
UX
Ownership Role
Top
Private luxury, family and business
Price Zar
319900 ZAR
957100 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current listed price
Base
Starting Price
319900
957100
Starting Price Zar
319900
957100
Spec
Starlet
UX
Real-world City Mileage Max
17 l/100km
-
Real-world City Mileage Min
14 l/100km
-
Real-world Highway Mileage Max
20 l/100km
-
Real-world Highway Mileage Min
17 l/100km
-
Owner Review Count
31
-
Spec
Starlet
UX
Engine
1-litre Turbocharged Petrol
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol Hybrid
Fuel Type
Petrol
Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Displacement
996 cc
2000 cc
Cylinders
3
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Petrol Hybrid EFI+D-4S
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
72 kW @ 5500 rpm
146 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
140 Nm
188 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
CVT
e-CVT
Top Speed
175 km/h
177 km/h
0-100 km/h
12.0 sec
8.1 sec
Power-to-Weight Ratio
71.6 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
139.3 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Code
Market-specific engine family
Not Officially Disclosed
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
82.0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
94.6 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
15.5 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Standard Eco, Normal, Sport
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
In depth: how these cars differ
This Starlet and UX 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: Starlet 32 vs UX 55.
Efficiency index: Starlet 66 vs UX 92.
Safety-equipment index: Starlet 98 vs UX 93.
Practicality index: Starlet 53 vs UX 55.
Ownership-cover index: Starlet 43 vs UX 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
Starlet and UX image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
UX leads by 13 points
UX has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Starlet remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
UX
Performance
55/100
Efficiency
92/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
55/100
Starlet
Performance
32/100
Efficiency
66/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
53/100
Ownership
43/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexLexus UX
leads the specification evidence index with 72 pts
vs 59 pts for Starlet
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, UX leads. However, Starlet may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
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.
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