For five generations 1973 to 1999 Toyota Starlet has dominated the roads for their affordability and reliability. Even though this was discontinued in January 1978 it still has a fanbase who wants to own it. According to reports from Japan’s Best Car publication, Toyota is bringing back 2026 Toyota Starlet Corona TRD Hatch built on Toyota’s TNGA-B platform, the same architecture used for the Yaris.
Let’s discuss what we know about upcoming 2026 Toyota Starlet Corona TRD Hatch:
2026 Toyota Starlet Corona TRD Hatch Exterior Design Updates
As usual we are going to start with exterior design. Leaked renderings of 2026 Toyota Starlet Corona TRD Hatch suggest that 2026 Starlet won’t be a nostalgic throwback. Instead, it will adopt modern design and technology to cater to today’s market.
The 2026 Toyota Starlet will measure around approximately 3,850 mm (151 inches) in length. This smaller size hatch is personally i think a good idea to target customer who is looking hatch for urban driving. Wheels i assume is going to be same that we get on Toyota Yaris.
Other exterior design features include bold front lip, an aggressive roof-mounted wing, and muscular quarter panels that give 2026 Scarlet a sporty & rally-inspired look.
One interesting detail i want to discuss is that placement of the rear door handles, they are integrated into C-pillar similar to that of Honda HR-V this overall enhances the look of 2026 Scarlet.
What’s Under the Hood?
2026 Toyota Starlet is expected to powered by 1.3-liter engine which produce around 150 horsepower. Remember, 2026 Starlet is going to be lightweight, front-wheel-drive hatchback designed to offer flexibility and affordability. For those looking for more power, Toyota is reportedly developing a Rally4 competition version of the Starlet.
As per various trusted sources, 2026 Toyota Starlet is likely to cost approximately $17,700 to $19,900 USD. However, Toyota will need to produce at least 25,000 road-going units to make it available in Rally4 competition.
A Rally-Ready 2026 Toyota Starlet?
What we hearing is 2026 Toyota Starlet’s Rally4 version is going to be developed by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division. This Rally4 version is expected to have more aggressive setup, possibly including all-wheel drive, enhanced suspension, and other performance upgrades like more powerful engine. This version is likely to cost more compared to standard version is because of Rally4 versions all-wheel drive.
Competition and Market Position
No doubt, 2026 Toyota Starlet Corona TRD Hatch is going to face heavy rough & tough competitions from hatch’s like Hyundai i20 N, Ford Fiesta ST, and Volkswagen Polo GTI. Even in this tough competition i think 2026 Starlet is going to do well because of its competitive pricing, rally-inspired design, and Toyota’s reputation for reliability.
