A start control system stores a map M1 that associates an accelerator position with an initial target speed of an engine and a map M2 that associates an accelerator position with a final target speed of the engine. If it is determined that a vehicle is in a start control period, a target speed of the engine is set to the initial target speed. When the engine speed reaches the initial target speed, the engine target speed is set to the final target speed. The initial target speed is set to a larger value than the final target speed for the same accelerator position.