| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1978 |
| Production Years: | 1978 - 1984 discontinued in 1984 |
The Toyota Starlet II, produced from 1978 to 1984, is a classic compact hatchback that marked an important step in Toyota's small car lineup. Known for its practicality and economy, the Starlet II featured a compact and efficient design ideal for urban driving and tight parking spaces. Although exact dimensions of the Starlet II can vary slightly depending on the market and specific model variant, the hatchback generally measured approximately 3,620 mm (142.5 inches) in length, which made it one of the smaller vehicles in its class at the time. Its width typically stayed around 1,515 mm (59.6 inches), and the height hovered near 1,360 mm (53.5 inches), contributing to a low, streamlined silhouette that enhanced drivability and fuel efficiency.
The lightweight construction of the Starlet II further underscored its positioning as an economical city car. With a curb weight typically between 800 and 850 kg (1,765 to 1,874 lbs), the car offered nimble handling and low fuel consumption, making it a favorite among drivers looking for affordability and ease of use. The hatchback design lent itself to versatility, providing practical cargo space relative to its small footprint, an advantage over traditional sedans of the same era.
Mechanically, the Starlet II was equipped with modest engine options geared toward efficiency rather than outright performance, which combined with its compact size, made it especially appealing for congested urban environments. Its size and shape reflected the design trends of the late 1970s and early 1980s, focusing on aerodynamics and space efficiency.
Overall, the Toyota Starlet II remains a notable example of reliable and practical small hatchbacks from a key era in automotive history. Its compact dimensions, light weight, and hatchback utility make it a significant point of comparison when exploring vintage and compact city cars, especially within Toyota’s evolutionary history. This generation of the Starlet helped lay the foundation for future iterations that continued to embrace efficient, space-conscious design with modern updates.
Discover the standout features that make the 1978 Toyota Starlet II a leader in its class
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The Toyota Starlet II hatchback produced from 1978 to 1984 features compact dimensions well-suited for urban environments. Its length measures approximately 3,510 mm (138.2 inches), its width is around 1,520 mm (59.8 inches), and its height stands at roughly 1,390 mm (54.7 inches). These dimensions combine to give the Starlet II a nimble footprint that makes parking and maneuvering in tight city spaces quite manageable while still providing sufficient interior space for passengers and cargo.
The curb weight of the Toyota Starlet II ranges from approximately 800 kg to 900 kg (1,764 to 1,984 lbs), depending on the specific trim and equipment. This relatively lightweight design contributes to the car’s agility and fuel efficiency, making it easy to drive in urban and suburban settings. The lighter weight helps the Starlet achieve responsive handling and reduces the strain on its smaller engine options, allowing for a peppy driving experience for its class during its production years.
The Toyota Starlet II offers a practical hatchback cargo area for its size. When the rear seats are folded flat, the cargo capacity expands significantly, allowing for the transport of larger items. While exact cargo volume figures vary by source, the Starlet II’s hatchback format typically provides around 600 to 700 liters (21.2 to 24.7 cubic feet) of usable cargo space, which is ample for groceries, luggage, or small furniture. This versatility is one of the highlights of the hatchback design, balancing passenger comfort and practical storage.
Yes, the Toyota Starlet II’s compact dimensions make it well-suited for most standard single-car garages. With a length of roughly 3.51 meters (138.2 inches), width around 1.52 meters (59.8 inches), and height near 1.39 meters (54.7 inches), the Starlet II fits comfortably within typical garage dimensions, which generally start around 5 meters (16.4 feet) in length and 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in width. This makes parking hassle-free compared to larger vehicles, especially in urban areas where garage space can be limited.
Compared to its predecessor, the original Toyota Starlet (produced from 1973 to 1977), the Starlet II retained a similar compact hatchback footprint but featured subtle dimensional growth for improved interior space and ride comfort. The original generation was slightly shorter and narrower, measuring approximately 3,400 mm in length compared to the Starlet II’s 3,510 mm. The incremental increase in size helped Toyota offer better passenger legroom and cargo capacity, enhancing practicality while maintaining the nimbleness and urban-friendly nature that defined the Starlet lineage.
The Toyota Starlet II was competitive in size against contemporaries like the Honda Civic (second generation), Ford Fiesta (first generation), and Volkswagen Polo (first generation). Its length of about 3.51 meters (138.2 inches) placed it squarely in the subcompact category, slightly shorter or on par with the Honda Civic of the era, which measured around 3.90 meters (153.5 inches). The Starlet II’s narrower width and modest height complemented its lightweight design, allowing it to excel in fuel economy and ease of parking, qualities prized in subcompact hatchbacks of that period.
The Toyota Starlet II typically accommodates four to five passengers with a two-row seating arrangement. Front headroom and legroom were designed to accommodate average-sized adults comfortably, with rear seating slightly more suited for occasional passengers due to the car’s overall compact size. The interior width allows for a standard three-across seating in the rear bench, though best for two adults for comfort. The efficient packaging maximized passenger space within the limited external dimensions, making it a practical choice for small families or urban commuters.
The Toyota Starlet II offered several small displacement engines, typically 1.0 to 1.3 liters inline-four units, designed to balance performance and economy. These engines contributed to the vehicle’s relatively light curb weight of around 800 to 900 kg (1,764 to 1,984 lbs). The modest power outputs suited the Starlet’s urban and suburban driving focus, providing adequate acceleration and reliability. The combination of light weight and efficient engines resulted in good fuel economy and nimble handling, making the Starlet II an economical and practical hatchback during its production era.
The estimated ground clearance of the Toyota Starlet II is approximately 170 mm (6.7 inches), providing enough clearance for typical urban use and light uneven surfaces without compromising stability. Its turning circle is compact, roughly 9.2 meters (30.2 feet), which aids in maneuverability in tight city streets, parking lots, and narrow driveways. These dimensions contributed to a vehicle well-suited for urban environments, ensuring the driver could navigate congestion and confined spaces comfortably without sacrificing ride quality.
Produced between 1978 and 1984, the Toyota Starlet II reflects the automotive trend toward smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles spurred by the global economic and fuel crises of the 1970s. Its compact hatchback form, lightweight construction, and modest engine displacements exemplify the era's focus on economy and practicality. The conservative, boxy design was common among subcompacts then, maximizing interior volume despite limited exterior dimensions. This approach allowed the Starlet II to appeal to cost-conscious buyers seeking reliable transportation with minimal running costs during a time of rising fuel prices and urban congestion.
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