Bucket Seat: Toyota Starlet Cross XR

Toyota and Suzuki share a strange product sharing agreement, while the two companies remain separate entities, the shared model platforms are becoming a bit weird to the keen observer. Suzuki produce a number of models that have been re-badged and sold locally as a Toyota product, this makes sense if the Suzuki variant wasn't sold here but as in all cases the Suzuki model is launched first, followed by the Toyota "version", the more surprising fact is that even with Suzuki launching their model first, the Toyota model still outsells the original Suzuki model. That is the power of brand loyalty I guess, it all started when the Suzuki Baleno was brought, sales of this 1.5L medium sized hatchback wasn't great, a year or so later, it lands on our shores badges as the "Toyota Starlet" and it sells in its thousands. Even though the car is basically still a Suzuki, but because of the name on the car, it drew in the sales. Fast forward to 2023 and Suzuki launches their compact SUV the Fronx. It looked like Toyota backed off with this model after sales of their Urban Cruiser wiped the floor of its half-sibling the Grand Vitara but low and behold, the Toyota Starlet Cross landed on our shores this year and yes, you guessed it, sales are skyrocketing for it. I spent some time with this model and here are my thoughts on the car. 

DESIGN

The Toyota Starlet Cross has a bold yet compact design, with sharp lines and an aggressive front fascia that set it apart from the more understated traditional Starlet. The front end is highlighted by a prominent grille with Toyota’s signature trapezoidal shape, flanked by sleek LED headlamps and angular DRLs, giving it a stylish, almost upscale look for its category.  In profile, it features roof rails, black body cladding along the wheel arches, and 16-inch alloy wheels (depending on trim), giving it a rugged, go-anywhere appearance. The rear design maintains a compact aesthetic with sculpted taillights that wrap around the body, adding to the car's sporty profile. It is a looker of note with it attracting keen interests from passes by during my time with it, this was also helped by the outstanding colour called "Fine Orange" with Bi-tone Black. There's no faulting it from any angle and with the additional aluminium scuff plates on the front and the back, gives it that off-roading menace look that would be nice to see on the rally track, subtle hint for Toyota there. 

PERFORMANCE

Under the hood, the Starlet Cross typically offers a choice of small-displacement, fuel-efficient engines, often a 1.5-liter inline-4 or a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, depending on the region. 1.5-Liter Inline-4 Engine: This naturally aspirated engine generates around 77kW and138 Nm of torque. This particular model featured the 5-speed manual transmission and worked well with this engine that is tuned for efficiency and city drivability, offering adequate acceleration and smooth power delivery. Fuel economy is one of the Starlet Cross's strong points with it being able to deliver up to 5.6L per 100km under optimal conditions The Starlet Cross rides comfortably on city streets, absorbing bumps and rough patches with ease. The suspension is tuned for a balance of comfort and control, making it agile enough for urban driving while still stable at highway speeds. The electric power steering is light, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, but it can feel a bit numb at higher speeds. While it’s not a sports car, the Starlet Cross handles corners confidently thanks to its low curb weight and well-tuned suspension. Body roll is minimal, and it’s a stable choice for light off-roading, though it’s best suited for city roads and light countryside trails.

COMFORT

Inside, the Starlet Cross offers a refined, practical cabin with an intuitive layout and ample space for passengers and cargo. The materials are durable, with a blend of soft-touch plastics, textured surfaces, and subtle chrome accents on higher trims. Toyota has focused on ergonomics, making sure frequently used controls are within easy reach.  The seats are well-cushioned and supportive, offering good lateral support for longer drives. This XR model featured bi-colour cloth seats but the material felt really premium. The driver’s seat is adjustable, and in some variants, the steering wheel is also telescopically adjustable, ensuring a comfortable driving position. Despite its subcompact classification, the Starlet Cross has decent interior space. There’s ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room for front and rear passengers, making it suitable for family use. With the rear seats up, it offers around 320 liters of cargo space, expandable to 710 liters with the seats folded flat. The Starlet Cross is equipped with Toyota's latest infotainment system, which varies depending on the market but typically includes a 7- or 9-inch touchscreen display. This system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to connect smartphones for navigation, calls, and music streaming. Standard safety features on the Startlet Cross include: Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and stability control come standard across all trims.

VERDICT

The Toyota Starlet Cross is a smart choice for drivers seeking a reliable, economical, and practical subcompact SUV with just enough style and flair to stand out. While at the heart of the car it remains a Suzuki, you can tell Toyota had some influence in the car, with a dependability with a modern, user-friendly design, making it well-suited for urban families, young professionals, or anyone looking for an efficient crossover that performs well in a variety of driving conditions. The Toyota Starlet Cross offers good value, especially for buyers looking for a reliable, fuel-efficient SUV that can handle both city and light off-road driving. The starting price is competitive within its class, and Toyota’s reputation for long-term durability is a strong selling point over it's product sharing partner Suzuki. Additionally, the availability of various trims and options means there’s likely a Starlet Cross model to fit most budgets and needs and its looks are just an added bonus. 

 SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.5L, 4-cylinder NA
Gear Box	5-Speed Manual
Torque	138Nm
Power	77kW
Fuel Consumption	5.6L per 100km
Price	R299,900

Bucket Seat: Ford Figo Sedan

It's been a while since we had a Ford to review but I'm glad we eventually got one, even though the Figo isn't much to write home about in terms of aesthetics and appeal, it still is a very important car for the brand and for the market in general. The Ford Figo has come a long way as a car, from being just a reboot of the old Fiesta to giving itself it's own identity in the market. With the local launch of the Figo taking place mid last year, I was finally given the opportunity to drive one, albeit the sedan and not the hatch, around for a week towards the end of the year and go to say, Ford have really "leveled up" with this one. 

DESIGN

The Figo was always an odd looking car but with this new model its finally coming into its own. I love the front of the Figo, that new grille with like a 3 dimensional design to it finished in brushed aluminum gives the car some level of elegance and dare I say, luxury appeal. The grille sits prominently but low and is the first thing that gets your attention of the car. The front bump is shaped well and its outlined by a splitter also finished in brushed aluminium that goes around the fog light housing, it just adds more dimension to the front end and really does like quite smart. The headlights have been redesigned and bares resemblance to the Fiesta a bit but has an elongated fin type finish to it. The general shape of the Figo is "bubble shaped" but works well unlike other models which tried this approach. The reason for it is to maximise space in the cabin. Moving along to the back, is where most budget hatch come sedan's tend to struggle with the addition of the boot. Most of them can be quite painful to look at but kudos to the design team at Ford because the boot flows quite well with the overall design of the car. The lines extend on the side profile upwards to the back and extends to the boot space. My only grip would be that the tail lights could have been finished better but that is just me. 

PERFORMANCE

The Figo comes powered with the 1.5TiVCT naturally aspirated 4 cylinder petrol engine. It's a strong motor from Ford and at the coast it performs exceptionally well. With 88kW and 150Nm of toque at its disposal, it makes easy meat of city travelling. The car is compact and light which helps the engine a lot in terms of performance, so even if you're on the open road, there really isn't a struggle to get the Figo up to speed. The 5 speed manual gear box is a treat and slotting it into gear is like slipping a hot knife into butter, this is helped by a smooth clutch. The combined fuel economy is listed in the brochure of being 5.7L per 100km, which is very achievable as I was hovering around the 6L mark with quite a variant of driving. The Figo isn't going to win you any drag races with its 0-100km/h time coming in at 11.8 seconds and its top speed capped at 175km/h but that's not what this car is made for and I'm guessing their target market knows that as well. 

COMFORT

As mentioned before that the overall shape is catered to increase the cabin space and it's pretty comfortable for four adults travelling in the Figo sedan. The car comes with cloth seats which are decent size and quite comfy, doesn't feel hard or rigid. Interior comfort is enhances with a manual air-conditioner. It has electric windows with a one touch power down for driver only. The in-car entertainment features a four speaker system with bluetooth and USB connectivity. Safety wise, the Figo comes fitted with two airbags, one for the driver and the front passenger and has anti-lock braking system. 

VERDICT

Overall the Ford Figo Trend is a great offering for the price tag it has, it's loaded with most of the essentials that one needs in a city car and the ride quality along with fuel economy just justifies its presence in the market as one of the better budget cars to get. While the car won't win any beauty contests, Ford have done a great job with the details on the Trend spec to make it look appealing. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.5L NA
Gear Box	5 Speed Manual
Power	88kW
Torque	150Nm
0-100	11.8 seconds
Economy	5.7 L/100km
Price	R 197,950

Bucket Seat: Nissan Micra

The Nissan Micra was first launched in South Africa in the early 2000's, controversial in design but appealing in price and offering. It was Nissan's 3rd generation of the model but it would be the introduction of it to the local market and everything about the car was a bit odd, from the design, to even the advertising catch phrase "do you speak Micra?". Regardless, sales were pretty decent for the odd bubble shaped automobile as many were spotted on the road, the next generation Micra saw changes made that made the car look a bit more normal to the consumer but it still maintained that bubble like shape but by then it didn't seem too odd to see on the road as many other European budget hatch backs had infiltrated their way into the country and the Nissan Micra had some competition but competition is always healthy right? And it's with that the all new 5th generation Micra which was launched this year in SA has not only grown but gained a lot in terms of advancements and offerings, I was behind the wheel of one for a week and here's some of my experiences with the all-new Micra. 

DESIGN

First thing's first, wow, Nissan, wow, you guys knocked it out the park with this one. From a something that used to look like a fishbowl to this, really took some guts and balls but you guys pulled it off and it works 100%.  The design of the new Micra is clean and edgy, I love the way the cars lines are focused in the front where they come together are the nose a move outwards to wrap around the rest of the car. There are elements of various other models in their range, with some hints of GTR here and there, put in playfully of-course. The car has gotten a more sporty nature, with it's flares and stance, the colour offerings in the palette also emphasize this. If Nissan were to make a sporty version of the Micra, they need not have to do much to the overall design as this one really does looks like it has some venom to it. The year of the car features the rear lights almost in a C shape which follows the contours of the car and the rear window transitions to the side with the black pillar. On the inside, it's more of the same good looks, the interior layout just works well, there's a lot of attention to detail when it comes to the materials and textures but overall it gives this hatch a premium feel and look. 

PERFORMANCE

Seems like the high cost of fuel is forcing manufactures to break the molds in engine displacement as the Micra features a 0.9L Turbo. This engine definitely doesn't feel like a 0.9 when you're running around town in it. It's zippy, the engine has a lovely tone to it and most importantly it feels solid.  Efficiency on this engine is superb, with me achieving close to their claimed combined driving average of 5.1L/100km. Driving the Acenta Turbo variant of the Micra, the engine pushes our 66kW with a maximum torque output of 140Nm. Handling on the Micra is precise and smooth, just like the brochure says, its almost like a point and shoot, the car goes well in a straight line but doesn't fluster when a few bends get thrown at it. The body structure is stiff and hugs the ground well, making the ride feel very secure. 

COMFORT

The Micra has grown a lot from the previous generation and that means more space in the cabin. While the older model had the driver position much higher, the new Micra's driving position is lower and very driver-centric with the low center of gravity. The seats are big and comfy, also come in dual tones of colour and some awesome swatches to choose form. The multiple array of textures and material in the cabin really give the car a premium feel, I love the addition of leather to the dash around the infotainment screen and extends over to the front passenger. The side panels around the gear selector are also covered in leather and are reminiscent of the GTR . The car comes with standard air condition dials but are neatly laid out just below the radio. I found the infotainment screen really easy to use and pairing with my smart phone was also very simple. Moving to the rear, while not the biggest, there was sufficient space for people to sit in comfort. 

TECHNOLOGY

The Micra comes with Nissan's Intelligent Mobility system, which has the advanced drive assist display that is designed to keep the driver focused on the road ahead of him with minimal distractions from the phone. The high definition 5" TFT display brings you all the information you require when hooked up to Apple Car Play, this also doubles up with voice control via Siri. Unfortunately I don't think the system was geared up for Android Auto but with it not being officially available for SA use, that shouldn't be a major issue as the bluetooth connectivity worked just as well. 

VERDICT

Overall, this is a superb re-introduction if I could say that, to the market of the Micra. While the previous models were not every bodies cup of tea, this new model will certainly have heads turning for all the right reason and you don't even need to "speak Micra" to understand it. There are various styling packs available for the Micra, like different paint designs with decals and colour options for the rims. In our tough times with the ever inflating petrol price, the Micra is a welcomed addition in the market of hatchbacks. Whether you're navigating your way through traffic or hitting the open road, you definitely won't be disappointed in the new Micra, it delivers a perfect balance no matter what style driver you are, it certainly is one of the better packaged cars on the market and it's improved looks will certainly play a big part in gaining more interest. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	0.9L 3 cylinder Turbo
Gear Box	5 Speed Manual
Power	66kW
Torque	140Nm
0-100km	12.1 seconds
Economy	5.1 L/100km
Price	R 242 900

 Pictures by @mvrc1988

Bucket Seat: Toyota Aygo X-Cite

Today's review is going to be a bit different because the car in question, is a bit different. I've driven a fair share of budget hatch backs and this one was probably one of the most impressive ones I've had yet, not because it had a cool trick up it's sleeve either. The Toyota Aygo is the smallest passenger offering by the Japanese motor manufacturer, it was developed in a joint venture with Peugeot and Citroen and assembled in the Czech Republic, each of the other brands had the same car under a different guise and name, Peugeot with the 107 and Citroen with the C1. The cars started out as city cars for the European market, with CO2 emission tax coming into play, developed smaller cars, with less emission was the goal. While the French cars did well in the Northern hemisphere,  they failed to catch the local markets attention as well as the Aygo. Could be because of brand loyalty or probably just the reliable legacy that Toyota has built in South Africa over the years, which is why we see the new Aygo on the roads today but not the C1 or 107. 

Now while the Aygo start off as a budget hatch back, it certainly isn't just that anymore and with this new X-Cite model its bound to get the attraction of much of the younger crowds and it won't brake your bank account to get one. The X-Cite comes with the standard Aygo 1L engine, I'll admit, not the best engine Toyota has made and it really makes you work to maintain speed. I often found myself needing to down change to maintain or pick up speed on a regular occurrence, especially on highway driving which annoyed me because Toyota has a perfect good 1.5L engine in the Etios Sprint, why not chuck that in here? It would make a world of a difference! Then I sat at the robot, opened the roof...yes, that's the trick up the sleeve (but more about that later) and cruised off the line, down to the office and thought, this is what this car is for, city driving!

Forgetting the fundamentals of the car can be very easy, the car is meant for the city, or the burbs, not flying up and down the highway and when doing that, its probably one of the best things out there. Lets start with the looks, it's striking, it has a big X on the front which makes it all that more X-Citing, the overall design is quite funky, and the utilization of space is very clever. The front doors are quite long which made me thinking it was a 3 door at first until I realised there are actually doors at the back. Getting to the back, the seats are pretty decent, not some wooden bench places there just to say it can seat people at the back. In front, the cockpit is pretty cool, although, granted there is a lot of plastic which isn't unexpected for the price tag, I wasn't expecting imbuya. I quite like how everything is designed though, it really does appeal to the young side in you, which you hope that won't die. There's lots of lights and even section on the side of the speedo that tells you when to change up or down a gear. The space in the front is great, I'm a big guy and had no issue driving around in the car. 

Now, for the crowd pleaser, not quite sure what Toyota were thinking when they decided to add a fold-able roof to the Aygo, but I'm glad they did! When I first saw pics of it, I thought someone was taking the mickey out of the car and I even compared it to the likes of the Mayback Landaulet but I tell you what, it is genius! The roof folds up in a matter of seconds, quietly and neatly, it will have everyone in traffic confused as hell, as to whats going on here. Since the roof stacks up, it opens up practically just over 80% of the roof, which is a lot compared to most sunroofs. With the fresh air and added scenery to the drive, it really makes for a fun ride. No need to worry about drag or wind noise since with the roof open, you're cruising and its perfect. The large touch screen display connects to your phone in seconds, with bluetooth audio streaming coming through the decent sound system, it just adds to the experience.

While this car might be aimed at the youth, I found it quite practical as my daily run around. It sips fuel, at 4.4L per 100km, the tank size is 35L! After getting just over 450km on a tank, I was pleasantly surprised that R200 of petrol got me over half a tank! Many might look at the car and think of the safety aspects of it, I mean guys, sure it's small, sure its light but they got 4 out of 5 stars in the last safety rating for the car, so if that doesn't give it the thumbs up, I don't know what will. I got many comments while driving this car, one of them being cute, which I don't really mind, the Aygo  is a cute car and there's no denying that, the X-Cite just takes the cuteness level up a notch with the folding roof. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1L 3 cylinder
Gear Box	5 Speed Manual
Power	51kW
Torque	95Nm
Fuel Comsumption	4.4L/100km
Fuel Tank Size	35L
Price	R189,500