Aggressively updated Toyota Glanza revealed as preview of facelift Starlet

Toyota has revealed the updated Glanza in India, just a month after Suzuki showcased its Baleno facelift. The Glanza's changes are more substantial than the Baleno's, effectively previewing the upcoming Starlet for export markets. Internally, the Glanza maintains the same steering wheel, infotainment displays, switchgear, dashboard, and Head-Up Display as the Baleno.

It boasts a redesigned centre console, ventilated front seats, a six-speaker Clarion sound system, and six airbags across all derivatives. Externally, the Glanza receives new fog lamps, a restyled U-shaped grille with a chrome outer finish and a honeycomb pattern, and relocated front bumper and Toyota logo. The rear has remained unchanged.

The new colour options include Bluish Black and Digital Teal Green, in addition to Café White, Gaming Grey, Enticing Silver, Sportin Red, and Insta Blue. Inside, the centre console has been redesigned, and ventilated front seats are now standard. The vehicle is equipped with new features such as a ventilated wireless smartphone charging pad, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Warning.

Internally, the engine has been downsized from the 1.2-litre four-cylinder K12N to the new three-cylinder 1.2-litre Z12E, reducing power from 66kW to 61kW and torque from 113Nm to 112Nm. It also offers a dual-tank compressed natural gas (CNG) option with the same engine, producing 51kW/102Nm when running on gas. The transmission options include a five-speed manual and, for petrol-powered models, a five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT).

In India, the Glanza is available in four trim levels (E, S, G, and V) starting at Rs 699,000, which converts to R121,268 without taxes. Toyota is expected to use the older 1.5-litre K15B engine, making 77kW/138Nm, paired with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The Starlet, in comparison, will be available in five variants across three trim levels (Xi, Xs, and Xr) with prices ranging from R273,700 to R334,200.

Toyota South Africa Motors has not yet confirmed the arrival of the facelift Glanza as the updated Starlet.