Toyota vs Suzuki: Weighing up used Starlet/Baleno and Vitz/Celerio
Joint venture models might feature the same spec, but pricing and warranties can differ.
In the automotive industry, partnerships between manufacturers like Toyota and Suzuki have become increasingly common. These collaborations allow carmakers to share components such as engines, gearboxes, and platforms, while marketing teams differentiate their products for consumers. For buyers, these alliances can present advantageous opportunities.
AutoTrader’s pre-owned vehicle price data from January to September 2026 highlights some surprising findings, including the Toyota Starlet being priced lower than the Suzuki Baleno, and the Toyota Vitz being cheaper than the Suzuki Celerio.
The Starlet averages a price of R235 608, while the Baleno is priced at R242 505. Both have similar styling, interiors, and a 77kW/138Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine since 2022. However, the Suzuki has a slightly lower mileage of 32 069km compared to the Toyota’s 36 715km, suggesting it may be a more cost-effective option. Similarly, the Vitz and Celerio share a 49kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, with the Suzuki being priced at R174 768 versus the Toyota’s R189 071.
The Vitz averages a mileage of 22 358km versus the Celerio’s 40 727km, indicating that the Suzuki could be the better value for a buyer planning to keep the vehicle for several years, provided the cars are in good condition and service history is favorable.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
