In the bustling streets of Mbabane, Sakhile Ndzinisa cruises through local roads in style with her beloved Mystic Pearl White Toyota Starlet, lovingly named ‘Grace’.
Since June 2024, ‘Grace’ has been more than just a car to Sakhile; she’s a reliable companion that embodies performance, comfort and sleek design.
‘Grace’ boasts a 1.5L, 4-cylinder engine, delivering a powerful 77kW and 138Nm of torque, all while being fuel-efficient. With a top speed of 175km/h and the ability to go from 0 to 100km/h in just 11.2 seconds, ‘Grace’ combines speed and efficiency seamlessly.
What sets ‘Grace’ apart is not just her impressive specs but also her fuel economy, sipping only 5.4–5.7 L/100km, making her a petrol-savvy choice for the road ahead. Sakhile raves about ‘Grace’s performance, comfort and eye-catching design, making every journey a delightful experience.
As the top-spec model, the Starlet comes with a good number of features including a leather steering wheel, cruise control, automatic climate control, keyless start and a 9-inch infotainment system with smartphone pairing and a reverse camera.
The reverse camera is an appreciated addition, especially when it comes to reversing out of a parking bay while flanked by two large SUVs.
In practice, the climate control functions more like a standard AC system, blowing intense bouts of air rather than gradually bringing the cabin temperature to the desired level, though it still gets the job of cooling or heating done just fine.
Android Auto also makes using Google Maps much easier, though the wired connection highlights a lack of surface space to store one’s phone.
The clarity and volume of the six-speaker sound system found on the XR does not disappoint either, and there is added convenience coming from the multifunction steering wheel’s controls.
Setting the cruise control, meanwhile, often results in heavy acceleration and rather high engine speeds from the Starlet – even on minor inclines.
In terms of physical features, the Toyota Starlet offers a generous boot space of 314 litres and the top-end model’s chrome accents, LED lights and 16-inch alloys go a long way to make the Starlet stand out in any parking lot.
For Sakhile, ‘Grace’ is more than just a car; she’s a reflection of style, reliability, and efficiency. As Sakhile continues to navigate Eswatini’s highways and byways, ‘Grace’ remains a steadfast companion, ready to conquer the road with ‘Grace’ and elegance.
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