Toyota has whipped the wraps off the updated Glanza – or Starlet, as it is known in our market – in India. We highlight what’s new on the refreshed model.
In September 2026, Suzuki unveiled the updated Baleno, with the refreshed model gaining a selection of exterior and interior upgrades. However, perhaps the most noteworthy revision came in the shape of a new engine…sourced from the Swift. Fast forward to October, and the fresh-faced Toyota Starlet has made its debut in India, where it is known as the Glanza. As a reminder, the Starlet is based on the Baleno, through a joint venture between Toyota and Suzuki.
So, what’s new? Well, in terms of exterior styling, the most notable update comes in the form of a redesigned, more imposing front facia. The interior has also received upgrades. Likely model-dependent, the cabin plays host to 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment and a four-speaker sound system. Other niceties include a 360-degree surround-view camera system, supplemented by park distance sensors, and several advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Six airbags and Isofix child-seat anchorages are fitted as standard. Tyre pressure monitoring is also present.
Similar to the Baleno, the Starlet now employs the same powertrain as the current, fourth-generation Swift, which we evaluated for a road test in March 2025 and claimed segment honours at CAR magazine’s 2026 Top 12 Best Buys awards. The (Z12E) 1.2-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol unit produces 61 kW and 112 N.m of torque – the former and latter available from 5 700 and 4 500 r/min, respectively. Power is delivered to the front wheels via either a five-speed manual gearbox or automated manual transmission (AMT) with the same number of cogs. The claimed fuel consumption figures of the manual and AMT-equipped variants are 4.2 and 4.0 L/100 km, respectively.
As a reminder, the current Starlet and Baleno is powered by Suzuki’s (K15B) 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, which is also employed by the Fronx/Starlet Cross, Grand Vitara/Urban Cruiser, Ertiga/Rumion, and Jimny. In the Baleno/Starlet, the K15B motor produces 77 kW and 138 N.m, delivered to the road via a front-wheel drivetrain paired with the choice of either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Equipped with the former and latter, the Starlet returns 5.4 and 5.7 L/100 km, respectively.
Toyota’s local arm has yet to confirm whether – or when – the updated Starlet will launch in South Africa.
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