Three cars dominate South African e-hailing: the Toyota Starlet, Suzuki Dzire, and VW Polo. Fleet operators rent them by the thousands. Private buyers choose between them for their affordability and fuel efficiency. But which one actually earns you the most money? We compare all three across fuel economy, purchase price, maintenance, insurance, resale value, and — most importantly — cost per kilometre. All prices reflect June 2026 South African market conditions.
The Suzuki Dzire wins on running costs, the Toyota Starlet wins on reliability and resale, and the VW Polo wins on comfort. For pure profitability, the Dzire edges ahead.
| Spec | Toyota Starlet 1.5 Xs | Suzuki Dzire 1.5 GL | VW Polo 1.0 TSI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (new, 2026) | R265,000-R285,000 | R230,000-R250,000 | R295,000-R330,000 |
| Engine | 1.5L naturally aspirated | 1.5L naturally aspirated | 1.0L turbocharged |
| Fuel economy (combined) | 6.0L/100km | 5.1L/100km | 6.2L/100km |
| Fuel tank | 40L | 37L | 40L |
| Boot space | 345L | 378L | 351L |
| Service interval | 15,000km / 12 months | 15,000km / 12 months | 15,000km / 12 months |
The Suzuki Dzire saves R6,000-R8,000 per year in fuel compared to the Toyota Starlet, and R8,000-R10,000 compared to the VW Polo. At current fuel prices (R24.93/L, June 2026), this is the single biggest differentiator.
| Metric | Starlet | Dzire | Polo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel consumption | 6.0L/100km | 5.1L/100km | 6.2L/100km |
| Cost per km (fuel only) | R1.50 | R1.27 | R1.55 |
| Monthly fuel (3,000km) | R4,488 | R3,814 | R4,637 |
| Annual fuel (40,000km) | R59,832 | R50,856 | R61,824 |
| Annual saving vs Starlet | -- | R8,976 | -R1,992 |
The Suzuki Dzire is R35,000-R55,000 cheaper to buy than the Starlet and R65,000-R100,000 cheaper than the Polo. This translates to R700-R1,800/month less in finance payments.
| Finance Metric | Starlet (R275,000) | Dzire (R240,000) | Polo (R310,000) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% deposit | R27,500 | R24,000 | R31,000 |
| Monthly payment (60 months) | R5,200 | R4,540 | R5,860 |
| Total interest paid | R64,500 | R56,400 | R72,600 |
| Total cost (with deposit) | R363,500 | R352,400 | R425,600 |
Finance calculated at prime rate + 3% (approx. 14.25% in 2026) over 60 months with 10% deposit.
The VW Polo is the most expensive to maintain — parts and labour cost 40-60% more than Toyota and Suzuki. The Dzire is cheapest to maintain thanks to simple engineering and affordable parts.
| Maintenance Item | Starlet | Dzire | Polo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major service (30,000km) | R2,500-R3,500 | R2,000-R3,000 | R3,500-R5,000 |
| Front brake pads | R800-R1,200 | R600-R900 | R1,200-R1,800 |
| Tyres (set of 4) | R3,200-R4,800 | R2,800-R4,000 | R4,000-R6,000 |
| Clutch replacement | R4,500-R6,000 | R3,500-R5,000 | R6,000-R9,000 |
| Monthly maintenance (averaged) | R1,500-R2,200 | R1,200-R1,800 | R2,000-R3,500 |
Key insight: VW's turbocharged engine requires more careful maintenance. A turbo replacement (rare but possible after 100,000km) costs R15,000-R25,000. Neither the Starlet nor Dzire has a turbo.
Insurance costs are similar for all three cars at R1,200-R2,500/month for e-hailing cover. The Polo is slightly more expensive to insure due to higher replacement cost.
| Cover Type | Starlet | Dzire | Polo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive (personal use) | R1,000-R1,500 | R900-R1,400 | R1,200-R1,800 |
| E-hailing comprehensive | R1,400-R2,200 | R1,200-R2,000 | R1,600-R2,500 |
The Toyota Starlet holds its value best at 60-65% retention. The Dzire retains 50-55%. Toyota's reputation for reliability drives stronger demand on the used market.
| Metric | Starlet | Dzire | Polo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | R275,000 | R240,000 | R310,000 |
| Resale after 3 years | R165,000-R178,000 | R120,000-R132,000 | R170,000-R186,000 |
| Depreciation loss | R97,000-R110,000 | R108,000-R120,000 | R124,000-R140,000 |
| Retention % | 60-65% | 50-55% | 55-60% |
Over 3 years of full-time e-hailing (40,000km/year), the Suzuki Dzire has the lowest total cost of ownership at approximately R350,000-R380,000 — saving R20,000-R40,000 vs the Starlet and R50,000-R70,000 vs the Polo.
| 3-Year TCO (40,000km/year) | Starlet | Dzire | Polo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel | R179,496 | R152,568 | R185,472 |
| Finance payments | R312,000 | R272,400 | R351,600 |
| Insurance (e-hailing) | R54,000-R79,200 | R43,200-R72,000 | R57,600-R90,000 |
| Maintenance | R54,000-R79,200 | R43,200-R64,800 | R72,000-R126,000 |
| Depreciation | R97,000-R110,000 | R108,000-R120,000 | R124,000-R140,000 |
| Total (less resale) | R370,000-R420,000 | R350,000-R380,000 | R420,000-R490,000 |
Choose the Suzuki Dzire if: You want the lowest running costs, you're buying new, and maximum earnings per kilometre is your priority. Best for full-time drivers doing 40,000+ km/year.
Choose the Toyota Starlet if: You want reliability and strong resale value, you plan to own the car for 5+ years, or you prefer Toyota's extensive dealer network across SA. Best for drivers who value peace of mind.
Choose the VW Polo if: Comfort and build quality matter to you, you're driving in premium areas where passenger expectations are higher, or you plan to sell within 2 years. Note: higher maintenance costs eat into profits.
Use the FleetCalc calculator to model your earnings with each car using real-time fuel prices, rental costs, and your specific working hours.
The Suzuki Dzire has the lowest total cost of ownership. The Toyota Starlet wins on reliability and resale. The VW Polo is most comfortable but most expensive to maintain.
Suzuki Dzire at 5.1L/100km saves R6,000-R10,000/year in fuel compared to the Starlet and Polo. At R24.93/L, fuel is your biggest expense.
Dzire: R1,200-R1,800/month. Starlet: R1,500-R2,200/month. Polo: R2,000-R3,500/month. VW parts and labour are 40-60% more expensive.
Toyota Starlet at 60-65% after 3 years. Polo at 55-60%. Dzire at 50-55% despite being an excellent car — brand perception affects resale.
Yes, all three are approved in all SA cities. The Dzire and Starlet are the most commonly rented e-hailing vehicles in South Africa.