Reinvented small hatch combines low costs and city-friendly dimensions with rugged looks On sale Now Price from £14,805
George Hill George.Hill@haymarket.com
THE TOYOTA AYGO X is here to prove that there’s still a place for small, affordable city cars. Of course, while some buyers will consider running an electric car to tackle these environments, the Aygo X costs considerably less to buy in the first place.
To help keep the price as low as possible, Toyota has given this small, rugged-looking hatchback – driven here in production-ready form for the first time – a 71bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that’s simple and free from any turbocharging or electrical assistance. It’s the only motor available in the range and has enough pep to keep up with other traffic at town speeds, even if performance is best described as leisurely on faster roads. You have to work the five-speed manual gearbox to maintain momentum, although there’s an element of fun in doing that.
Alternatively, there’s the option of a CVT automatic gearbox on all versions; this is likely to be popular with buyers who expect to spend a lot of time in stop-start traffic. This ’box can feel a little out of its depth if you encounter a steep incline or start pressing on, but it’s worth noting that the automatic versions of rivals such as the Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto are also slow to gather pace. The difference is that both of these alternatives offer punchier turbocharged engines if you have a bigger budget.
Around town, a tight turning circle makes low-speed manoeuvres a doddle, and the Aygo X’s ride is composed and forgiving enough to take the sting out of most bumps, even with the comparatively large 18in wheels fitted to the two top-spec models.
The Aygo X handles neatly, too, resisting body lean well in bends. And while the steering response could be sharper, there’s enough weighting to help you place the car confidently on the road.
The engine is never loud or harsh, but you feel vibrations through the seat and floor when the motor is idling or working hard. Road noise is kept in check, although wind noise is noticeably present at motorway speeds, particularly around the door mirrors.
There’s otherwise little cause for complaint for the driver, with the Aygo X’s height-adjustable seat lining up nicely with the steering wheel and pedals. Forward visibility is generally good, helped by big door mirrors and relatively narrow front pillars. However, the chunky rear pillars make seeing out of the back a little tricky and cause a large blindspot when looking over your shoulder to change
