1996 TOYOTA Starlet 3 Doors 1.3i 5MT (75 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Toyota introduced the fifth generation of the Starlet in 1996, but the car didn’t confirm the same sales figures as its predecessors and, eventually, was withdrawn from the market three years later.

The small segment was very contested in the European market, and the local French or Italian carmakers were strong competitors for the Japanese brand. Still, Toyota had a strong reputation for dependable vehicles, and that should keep Starlet’s engine running for many years.

Maybe it was the design that didn’t fit the market. The Japanese carmaker tried an exciting design idea, with a sloped-down beltline over the doors. Its three-door version looked a bit sporty, but it was not a match for the European small-class hot-hatches, and its price was higher. At the front, the simple, curved headlights sported corner-mounted turns signals.

Inside, the straightforward design with hard plastic on the dash and door panels. On the center stack, the carmaker installed the ventilation control unit and a stereo cassette player. Its low-mounted seats led to less legroom for rear passengers but better headroom for the front ones. Depending on the options, the three-door Starlet offered power-windows at the front.

Under the hood, Toyota installed only one powertrain option, a 1.3-liter engine paired to a five-speed manual gearbox.