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.
⚡ 100 kW🔧 180 Nm⛽ Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
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Decision summary
Toyota Starlet vs iCAUR V23: the short answer
V23 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Starlet remains close.
Starlet starts ZAR 275,000 cheaperStarlet from ZAR 244,900 · V23 from ZAR 519,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Starlet
V23
Maximum Power
Starlet72 kW @ 5500 rpm
V23100 kW
Maximum Torque
Starlet140 Nm
V23180 Nm
Engine Size
Starlet996 cc
V23Not Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
Starlet16.7 km/l
V23Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
Ground Clearance
Starlet162 mm
V23190 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.
Optional or derivative-dependent; no exact South African trim fitment established
Rear Spoiler
Not Available
-
Roof Rails
Not Available
Body style and optional package dependent; not confirmed for this exact derivative
Roof Type
Not Available
-
Rear Spoiler
Not Available
-
Spec
Starlet
V23
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
-
Charging Type
Not Applicable
AC and DC charging; V2L external discharge 3.3 kW
City Mileage
13 km/l
Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
Claimed Mileage
16.7 km/l
Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
360 km
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
20 kWh/100 km
Emission Standard
Euro 5
Zero tailpipe emissions (BEV)
Fuel Tank Capacity
40 l
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
Fuel Tank Litres
40
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
Highway Mileage
18 km/l
Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
341 km
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
401 km
Real-world Mileage
16.7 km/l
Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not applicable — no combustion engine
Spec
Starlet
V23
Android Auto
Standard
Wireless Android Auto
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Audio Speakers
4
7
Audio System
4
-
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Connected Services
Standard
-
Digital Instrument Cluster
Full Digital
-
Display Audio
9-inch Touchscreen
-
Front Rear USB Charge Ports
2
-
Infotainment System
9-inch Touchscreen
15.4 in touchscreen infotainment
Infotainment Display
9-inch Touchscreen
-
Infotainment Screen
9-inch Touchscreen
15.4 in
Multi Information Display
Full Digital
-
Navigation System
Standard
-
Rear Usb
2
-
Infotainment Screen Size
9-inch Touchscreen
15.4 in
Smartphone Connectivity
Standard
-
Number of Speakers
4
7
Touchscreen
9-inch Touchscreen
15.4 in
USB Ports
2
2 USB Type-C front-row ports; 1 front-row USB on 2WD
Voice Control
Standard
-
Voice Recognition
Standard
-
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Standard
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Wireless Android Auto
Standard
Wireless Android Auto
Spec
Starlet
V23
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
6 Years
-
Basic Warranty
3 years / 100 000 km
Vehicle warranty 8 years/200,000 km; high-voltage battery warranty 8 years/160,000 km in official South African press material.
Roadside Assistance
3 Years
-
Roadside Assistance
3 Years
-
Warranty
3 years / 100 000 km
Vehicle warranty 8 years/200,000 km; high-voltage battery warranty 8 years/160,000 km in official South African press material.
Warranty Kilometers
3 years / 100 000 km
Vehicle warranty 8 years/200,000 km; high-voltage battery warranty 8 years/160,000 km in official South African press material.
Warranty Roadside Assistance
3 Years
-
Warranty Years
3 years / 100 000 km
Vehicle warranty 8 years/200,000 km; high-voltage battery warranty 8 years/160,000 km in official South African press material.
Spec
Starlet
V23
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
Disc
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
Direct tyre pressure monitoring
Tyre Size
195/55 R16
255/55 R19
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
19 in
Handbrake Type
Not Applicable
-
Wheel Diameter
15-inch Alloy Wheels
19 in
Spec
Starlet
V23
Battery Warranty
Not Applicable
-
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
-
Service Intervals
15,000 km or 1 Year
-
Service Plan
Optional
5 years/100,000 km service plan in the official South African press material; confirm final booklet.
Service Plan Distance
Optional
5 years/100,000 km service plan in the official South African press material; confirm final booklet.
Service Plan Duration
Optional
5 years/100,000 km service plan in the official South African press material; confirm final booklet.
Spec
Starlet
V23
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
Electric SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1005 kg
-
Vehicle Type
Hatchback
Passenger vehicle
Model Introduced Year
2020
2026
Generation
First generation Starlet in South Africa on B-segment platform
South African May 2026 local specification sheet for the current V23 generation.
Facelift History
Minor updates since launch
-
Facelift Version Ending
Current
-
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
-
Production Status
active
Published
Spec
Starlet
V23
Boot/Cargo Space
265 l
372 L rear seats up; 994 L with rear seats folded
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Fuel Tank Capacity
40 l
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1420 kg
2085 kg
Ground Clearance (Default)
162 mm
190 mm
Height
1520 mm
1845 mm
Kerb Weight
1005 kg
1550–1850 kg
Length
3995 mm
4220 mm
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Minimum Turning Radius
4.9 m
5.9 m
Wheelbase
2520 mm
2735 mm
Width
1695 mm
1915 mm
Payload Capacity
415 kg
350–650 kg
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
165 mm
Towing Capacity
1600 kg
-
Front Headroom
982 mm
1020 mm
Rear Headroom
955 mm
990 mm
Front Legroom
1030 mm
1060 mm
Rear Legroom
885 mm
970 mm
Spec
Starlet
V23
Chassis Material
Monocoque
-
Chassis Type
Monocoque
-
Front Spring Type
MacPherson Strut
-
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
McPherson Strut
Front Suspension Type
MacPherson Strut
McPherson Strut
Front Track Width
1470 mm
-
MagneRide Damping
Not Available
-
Power Steering
Electric
-
Rear Axle Type
Torsion Beam
-
Rear Spring Type
Torsion Beam
-
Rear Suspension
Torsion Beam
Multi-Link
Rear Suspension Type
Torsion Beam
Multi-Link
Rear Track Width
1455 mm
-
Steering Column
Tilt Adjustable
-
Suspension
MacPherson Strut
-
Spec
Starlet
V23
CO2 Emissions
107 g/km
Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
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
V23
Ownership Role
Top
Current local retail price; confirm quotation inclusions, warranty and service plan with iCAUR South Africa.
Price Zar
319900 ZAR
519900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current listed price
Current South African retail price
Starting Price
319900
519900
Starting Price Zar
319900
519900
Spec
Starlet
V23
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
V23
Engine
1-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Battery electric drive; no combustion engine
Fuel Type
Petrol
Electric
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
996 cc
Not Applicable
Cylinders
3
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
72 kW @ 5500 rpm
100 kW
Maximum Torque
140 Nm
180 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Electric traction motor
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
1
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Rear axle
Drive Type
FWD
RWD
Transmission
CVT
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
175 km/h
140 km/h
0-100 km/h
12.0 sec
11 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
59.93 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
69.0 kWh
Battery Type
Not Applicable
LFP
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
Not Applicable
360 km
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
6.6 kW
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
36 min (20-80%)
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Code
Market-specific engine family
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Applicable
Valves
16
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Applicable
Bore
82.0 mm
Not Applicable
Stroke
94.6 mm
Not Applicable
Quarter Mile
15.5 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Eco, Comfort, Sport, Individual, Slippery
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Applicable
In depth: how these cars differ
This Starlet and V23 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 V23 42.
Efficiency index: Starlet 66 vs V23 99.
Safety-equipment index: Starlet 98 vs V23 93.
Practicality index: Starlet 53 vs V23 60.
Ownership-cover index: Starlet 43 vs V23 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 V23 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
V23 leads by 12 points
V23 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
V23
Performance
42/100
Efficiency
99/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
60/100
Starlet
Performance
32/100
Efficiency
66/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
53/100
Ownership
43/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexiCAUR V23
leads the specification evidence index with 71 pts
vs 59 pts for Starlet
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, V23 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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