Toyota Aygo X is small but fun, thinks Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review

Toyota thumbs its nose at volume brands who've abandoned the citycar segment and brings us one here, the Aygo X. But it's a city car with a bit more pavement presence than those you might be used to; in terms of the statement it'll make at the gym, it's a world away from the old Aygo. Plus it's economical, promises to be fun to drive and can even be had in semi-convertible form. Trendsetters should form an orderly queue.

Background

In the motor industry, everyone's got their own perspective. Take city cars. Two of the industry's biggest players, the Volkswagen Group and Stellantis, say that segment is effectively dead. But Toyota, the world's biggest car maker disagrees, which is what's brought us this car, the Aygo X. It's pronounced 'Aygo Cross' by the way, like the Yaris Cross, Toyota's smallest SUV, the 'X' designating the fact that the Aygo has gone all 'crossover' on us. This, it seems, is the Japanese maker's strategy for justifying this model's continued existence. In its previous two incarnations, it was produced as part of a joint venture with Stellantis brands Peugeot and Citroen, whose 108 and C1 models were built alongside the Aygo at a jointly owned Czech factory. Following the dis-continuation of 108 and C1 production, Toyota decided to take full control of the plant, then redesigned the Aygo to take a shrunken version of the Yaris supermini's TNGA platform before starting production of the resulting Aygo X model at the Czech plant alongside the Yaris Cross. Now you're up to date.

Driving Experience

You might have expected the switch of platform here to deliver a hybrid powertrain option - which apparently will fit but hasn't been included in the initial range because it would make the car too expensive. So Aygo X buyers are limited to a conventional familiar Toyota 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol unit producing 71bhp and 93Nm of torque. You do get a choice of transmission though, either a five-speed manual gearbox - or a CVT automatic for city dwellers. As you'd expect from those stats, performance is rather leisurely, 0-62mph in the manual model occupying 15.6 seconds; the CVT version will do it a tenth of a second faster, but it's less efficient. The manual model tops out at 98mph - for the auto version, its 94mph. Unlike the Yaris Cross, there's no all-wheel drive option - and you'd be very unwise to let the crossover styling tempt you into taking this car onto a rough road, despite the 11mm higher ride height. It does handle tarmac better than its predecessor though, thanks to its stiffer platform with its proven suspension set-up. Toyota says that this model's 72mm shorter front overhang in comparison to the Yaris will make for easy parking and reckons that this car is 'designed for the narrowest streets', suggesting that its 9.4m turning circle is one of the tightest on the market. The brand points out that visibility has been much improved by raising the seating by 55mm and making the A-pillars 10% steeper.

Design and Build

The Aygo X is based closely on the 'Prologue' concept car Toyota showcased early in 2021, which introduced many of the crossover cues implemented here. Most significant though, is this car's switch to a shrunken version of the brand's much more modern TNGA platform, borrowed from the Yaris. Shrunken maybe, but its use has meant a growth spurt for the Aygo model here. The Aygo X is 235mm longer than its predecessor, plus it's also 125mm wider and 50mm taller. Thick plastic wheel arch cladding emphasises the SUV-ness, as does an 11mm raise in ride height, a prominent front skid plate and colour-contrasted wheel arch surrounds. You can specify a fabric roll-top roof too. Inside, you'll really notice that jump in size because there's now 20mm more space between the front seats, along with 45mm more shoulder room for front occupants. The dash of course is much more modern than before with a 9.0-inch central infotainment screen and a digital climate panel, both things moving the car up-market. The wheelbase length increase of 90mm significantly improves legroom for rear seat occupants. And improves on the awfully small boot of the old car, this one's 231-litre capacity being 60-litres greater (and 50-litres more than a Fiat 500). Seats-down, the Aygo X offers 829-litres.

Market and Model

Prices are pitched a bit higher than the previous model as you would expect, from launch starting from just over £16,000, with the base 'Pure'-spec version kicking tings off. There are two other specification options - 'Edge' and top 'Exclusive' trim. All versions come decently equipped, with 'Pure' trim including 17-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' connectivity and all the key features of 'Toyota Safety Sense' package. This gets you Adaptive Cruise Control, Road Sign Assist, Auto High Beam, Emergency Steering Assist and a Pre-Collision System with Cyclist and Pedestrian detection. If you can stretch to mid-range 'Edge' spec, costing around £17,000, you'll get a smarter look, with a 2-tone paint finish and a contrasting black roof. And of course more equipment. Embellishments include larger 18-inch alloy wheels, climate control, auto wipers, rear privacy glass, a bigger 8.0-inch centre touchscreen and front fog lights. The top 'Exclusive' variant will cost you around £19,000, but for that you get synthetic leather and cloth upholstery, LED headlights, keyless entry, parking sensors, a wireless phone charger and the biggest possible 9.0-inch HD touchscreen with cloud-based navigation and traffic data.

Cost of Ownership

You'd want a car of this kind to be economical and sure enough, the Aygo X is capable of up to 60.1mpg on the combined cycle, while emitting 109g/km of CO2 - that's in manual form. The CVT auto version manages 57.6mpg and 110g/km. Toyota reckon that these efficiency figures are competitive with mild hybrid rivals and think that they're good enough to make unnecessary the introduction of an electrified version of this car. The key here, according to the brand, is to keep this model affordable. And provide a combustion vehicle small car option for urban folk who don't have access to charging points. All Aygo X models come with up to 10 years' Toyota Relax warranty cover. After an initial three years/60,000 miles, owners can extend their car's warranty by a further one year/10,000 miles each time they have their vehicle serviced at an authorised Toyota centre, in line with its service schedule. Plus, as standard, Aygo X buyers get five years of pan-European roadside breakdown assistance, a three year paint warranty and twelve years of anti-perforation cover. There's a dedicated 'My Toyota' website that allows you to book a service online and Toyota has a 'Fixed Price Servicing' plan, so you'll know in advance exactly how much any work will cost before you check into a dealer. You could also take advantage of the optional pre-paid 'Service Plan' that that dealer will offer at point of purchase, this enabling owners to cover the cost of routine maintenance with monthly or one-off payments in advance.

Summary

Toyota describes this as 'the first true urban crossover', a claim which will be controversial to thousands of owners of the various versions of Fiat's Panda Cross throughout Europe. But that's a very old design and this one offers a bit more visual pizzazz than the only other crossover option in the citycar segment, Kia's Picanto X-Line. We could see the Aygo X selling quite well and embarrassing other brands who've abandoned this sector. Not everyone who wants a really small car can afford a small EV and if you fit into that category, this funky little Toyota represents quite an appealing option. So the citycar segment isn't dead after all. It just needed a different approach.

Body Glass

Rain sensor

Privacy glass

Rear windscreen defogger

Auto wipers

Rear windscreen wiper

Variable intermittent windscreen wipers

Front power windows

Brakes

Traction control

Hill start assist control (HAC)

Anti lock braking system + Electronic brake force distribution

Emergency brake light signal (EBS)

Carpets/Rugs

Limited edition textile floormats

Chassis/Suspension

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)

Communication

Bluetooth connectivity

eCall emergency call system

Smart phone integration with Apple car play/Android Auto

Driver Aids

Electric power steering

Adjustable speed limiter

Driver attention alert system

Start and stop

Front and rear parking sensors with auto brake

Reversing camera with static guide lines

Pre collision system with emergency steering assist

Driver Convenience

Wireless charger

Noise reduction kit

Remote boot door release on key

Smart entry and push button start

Driver Information

Digital tachograph

Speed limit display

Analogue speedometer

4.2" TFT colour screen

Key reminder warning

Intersection turn assist

Driving Mirrors

Electric heated door mirrors

Gloss black door mirrors

Power adjustable door mirrors

Manual day/night rear view mirror

Embellishment Trims

Dark jasmine deco elements

Entertainment

DAB digital audio broadcast

USB connector

10.5" HD multimedia display touch screen with Toyota smart connect

4 JBL speakers and subwoofer

Exterior Body Features

Black side protection mouldings

Body colour door handles

Body coloured front bumper

Black fog light surrounds

Bi-tone paint

Black wheel arch mouldings

Gloss black upper front grille

Front and rear underruns in silver

Rear side wing doors

Power back door

Boot door scuff plate

Short antenna

Eclipse black rear bumper

Bicycle towing hook

Pagoda roof

Exterior Lights

Front fog lights

Manual headlight levelling

Follow me home headlights

Auto headlights

LED High mounted stop lamp

LED front light guide

Headlight cut-off reminder

Automatic headlights cut-off

Rear combination lights LED bulb type

Automatic high beam On/Off switch

LED projector headlights

LED daytime running lights guide

Remote hazard lights system

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Pollen filter

Clean air filter

Auto air conditioning

Interior Features

Rear door pockets

Chrome interior door handles

3 spoke leather steering wheel

Front and rear cup holders

Black roof lining

12v power outlet - front

Leather gearshift knob

Voice recognition switch on steering wheel

Multimedia switches on steering wheel

Adjustable speed limiter switch on steering wheel

Manual tilt steering wheel

Audio and telephone switches on steering wheel

Soft tonneau cover

Intelligent adaptive cruise control switch on steering wheel

Lane departure alert switch on steering wheel

Single compartment glovebox with lights

Chrome surround on air conditioning buttons

Body colour satin anodised insert on steering wheel

Satin silver insert on gear shift knob

Sun visors with mirror on driver and passenger side

Adhesive roof headlining

Front head rest deco art

Console box storage

Fabric/Partial premium leather upholstery with JBL embossment

Interior Lights

Boot light

Centre room light

Light blue ambient lighting in centre console

Packs

Toyota safety sense pack - Aygo X

Safety

Tyre pressure warning system

Child safety door lock

Seat belt reminder for front and rear seats

Passenger airbag on/off switch

Supplement restraints system (SRS) - 6 airbags

Seats

Rear head restraints

50/50 split folding rear seat

Front head restraints

Height adjustable driver seat

Manually reclining and sliding front passenger seat

ISOFIX child restraint system on rear seats

Single front passenger seat

2 seat bench in 2nd row

Driver and passenger heated seats

Manually reclining and sliding driver seat

Security

Immobiliser

Remote power door locks

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 122

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 100

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 96

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 125

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 110

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Engine and Drive Train

CC: 998

Gears: 5 SPEED

Transmission: MANUAL

Fuel Delivery: INJECTION

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 64.2

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Low: 52.3

WLTP - MPG - High: 67.3

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 51.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 57.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 5.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 4.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 4.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 5.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 4.9

General

Badge Engine CC: 1.0

Based On ID: 99312

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 8A

Coin Series: JBL Edition

Coin Description: VVT-i

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: No

Special Order: 0

Badge Power: 72

Performance

Engine Power - KW: 53

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - BHP: 72

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Vehicle Dimensions

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

No. of Seats: 4

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: N

Packs

Essential protection pack - Aygo X

Paint - Special

Bi-tone - Jasmine silver/Black roof

Trim - Leather

Fabric/Partial premium leather with JBL embossment - Black/Dart jasmine stitch

Wheels - Alloy

18" Matt black alloy wheels

18" Black machined alloy wheels