The Starlet name is once again in the spotlight at Toyota. The Japanese publication Best Car reports on the possible return of the compact hatchback in 2027. If the project indeed gets the green light, the model will return to the Japanese market 28 years after the previous Starlet ceased production in 1999.
It is assumed that the new car will occupy the niche left vacant after the discontinuation of the Toyota Passo in 2023. At the same time, the Starlet could have a more modern and dynamic character than the previous budget hatchback.
The base version could get a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine with about 69 hp, a variator, and front or all-wheel drive. However, these characteristics are currently only predictions.
Much more interesting is the possible GR Starlet version. For this, the Japanese publication suggests a new 1.3-liter turbo engine with approximately 150 hp and 220 N·m, a six-speed manual transmission, and front-wheel drive. Such a car could become an affordable alternative to the more expensive GR Yaris.
The Starlet already has a sporty past. In the 1980s and 1990s, the model was offered with turbo engines, and the Turbo and Glanza versions were popular among fans of compact cars with an exciting character.
At the same time, Toyota has already brought back the Starlet name in certain foreign markets. Since 2020, a car based on the Suzuki Baleno has been sold under this name in Africa, and the Starlet Cross is based on the Suzuki Fronx. Therefore, the idea of reviving the name for a new generation of compact models does not seem fantastic.