As we have received the update that new Toyota Taisor will be launching soon in South Africa as the Toyota Starlet Cross in the middle of the year. He is the early details of what will serve as Toyota South Africa’s most affordable crossover.
You are hearing this right, the new Urban Cruiser Taisor recently revealed in India will be named as the Toyota Starlet Cross when it will launch in South Africa.
As per the information we have received recently is the new Starlet Cross – which is, of course, a coupé-style crossover based on the Suzuki Fronx – is in a queue to hit the Mzansi market as early as June 2024.
Like it does earlier in various other Suzuki and Toyota versions, this K15B mill will send 77 kW and 138 Nm to the front axle via either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed automatic transmission. Just as we thought, that refers the atmospheric 1.2-litre and turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engines offered in India won’t be available here in SA.
Toyota SA Motors ready to introduce the Starlet Cross in a pair of familiar trim levels – XS and XR – with no base Xi grade likely to be available at launch.
Thus, what kind of standard specifications can we expect? Well, we’re sure that XS grade will include items such as 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, automatic air conditioning, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, a 7-inch touchscreen system, cruise control, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.
Based on what we understand, if you decide to go for the XR trim level, you’ll get some nice upgrades. These include silver side-sill garnish instead of black, adding four extra airbags for a total of six, an electro-chromatic interior mirror, a color instrument display, a larger 9-inch touchscreen, a 360-degree camera system for better visibility, a handy head-up display, push-button start for added convenience, wireless smartphone charging, an illuminated glovebox for finding things easily, and tilt-and-telescopic adjustment for the steering column, which means you can adjust it up and down as well as in and out, unlike the XS trim which only allows tilt adjustment.
In South Africa, the upcoming Starlet Cross is set to offer drivers a range of exciting options. You’ll have your pick from six vibrant exterior paint colors, with an additional three bi-tone choices available exclusively for the XR grade. These bi-tone options add a sleek black finish to the roof, rear spoiler, and side-mirror caps, adding a touch of sophistication to your ride. Inside, we anticipate that all SA-spec variants will feature the stylish “black and berry” fabric interior theme, a popular choice that adds a modern flair to the cabin.
While Toyota SA Motors hasn’t officially confirmed the Starlet Cross name just yet, they’ve hinted that the Urban Cruiser Taisor will be making its way to our shores under a different name, yet to be revealed. However, a little detective work revealed that Toyota Motor Corporation had filed a trademark application for “Starlet Cross” here in SA back in June 2022, the same month they registered “Taisor” in India.
As for pricing, details are still under wraps, but industry insiders suggest that the Starlet Cross will likely occupy the entry-level position in Toyota’s local crossover lineup. This would position it below the current Urban Cruiser, which starts at R342,500. If speculations hold true, the Starlet Cross could potentially become Toyota’s most affordable crossover in South Africa. For reference, the Fronx currently starts at R288,900, so we might expect the Starlet Cross to be priced slightly above that mark.
Given Toyota’s successful partnership with Suzuki in bringing the Urban Cruiser to market, there’s a good chance that the Starlet Cross will follow suit as another popular choice for South African drivers. With its combination of style, affordability, and Toyota’s reputation for reliability, the Starlet Cross is poised to become a standout player in the local crossover segment, continuing the legacy left by its predecessor, the Urban Cruiser. What do you think about this, please let us know, we would like to know about your review on this information comment below