Toyota Aygo (2014 – ) expert review

 

Full Review

1. Exterior

The Aygo was developed alongside the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108, but the three cars look very different; and, arguably, the Aygo is the most distinctive of the lot, with its nose dominated by a cross-shaped design that incorporates the headlights and is accentuated by the angled daytime running lights. There’s considerable difference between the various trim levels, but you’ll need to go
for at least x-pression to get standard alloy wheels. At the bottom of the range, x-trimmed models look pretty plain (and can’t be specified with any of the optional – and affordable – customisation packs), but depending on which trim you choose and which boxes you tick on the options list, your Aygo can come with colour-coded door mirrors and handles, metallic paint, aluminium scuff plates or roof decals. The list goes on, with the result that it’s quite possible to create a unique Aygo; and, several of the pieces can be changed even after several years of ownership.

Our rating: 4

2. Interior

Compared to some other, more staid city cars, the Aygo’s interior is something of a breath of fresh air. The dash is dominated by a large speedometer, and from x-pression upwards, it comes with a touch-screen system that can be paired with a compatible smartphone and (through the Mirror Link function) operate some of the phone’s apps. Sadly, the quality of many of the materials lags behind what you’ll find in a Volkswagen Up, and because the steering wheel adjusts only for height (not reach), it’s possible that not everyone will be able to get comfortable behind the wheel. To make matters worse, basic x-trimmed models don’t have the height-adjustable driver’s seat that’s standard across the rest of the range.

Our rating: 2

3. Practicality

The Aygo may look like a small car, but there’s a surprising amount of head- and legroom in the front seats. A couple of six-foot tall adults will fit in total comfort, but with them in place, space is at much more of a premium in the rear. Beyond that, the small rear windows make it feel quite claustrophobic for rear seat passengers, The boot, too, is smaller than you’ll find in either the i10 or the VW Group trio (the VW Up, Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo) and, to make matters worse, it’s further spoiled by a high lip that makes loading and unloading awkward.

Our rating: 3

4. Ride and handling

The Aygo’s small size, light steering and tight turning circle make it ideal for city life, but out of town it feels very different to rivals such as the VW Group trio and the Hyundai i10. Whereas they have a more grown-up and refined feel, the Aygo feels a little sharper and stiffer. To some that will come across as sporty, but for the most part, it’s just a little uncomfortable. Around town in particular, the ride feels rather stiff. To make matters worse, there isn’t the trade-off of a sporty drive. On the contrary, that light steering feels remote at higher speeds, and there’s more body roll than you might expect.

Our rating: 3

5. Performance

Unlike the Aygo’s sister cars, the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108 – both of which offer a more powerful 1.2-litre engine – the Toyota comes only with a three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine. It’s certainly willing and provides enough performance around town, but it feels a little out of its depth beyond the city limits, and especially on the motorway. The performance is further sapped by the long gearing, and the engine produces lots of noise at even fairly modest revs – and, sadly, you need a lot of revs a lot of the time, as the engine’s peak pull only comes at more than 4,000rpm. We haven’t tested the Aygo with the optional x-shift semi-automatic gearbox, but our experience of the transmission in the 108 has not been good, as it’s jerky and saps the engine’s performance even further.

Our rating: 2

6. Running costs

As you would only expect, prices for the Aygo are very much on a par with the C1 and 108’s, as well as with its direct rivals. Assuming this generation of Aygo follows its predecessor, it will have strong residual values – on a par with the Up’s – which will keep whole-life costs down, while there are no complaints about the car’s economy or emissions: average economy is the best part of 70mpg, and every model has sub-100g/km CO2 emissions, meaning zero road tax. If the car has an Achilles Heel, it’s insurance: when most of the VW Group city cars and the i10 sit in the lowest insurance groups, the Aygo’s groupings look painfully high – and that could be a problem for the kind of young buyers the car is targeting.

Our rating: 4

7. Reliability

There is no reliability data on this generation of Aygo, but if it follows its predecessor’s performance – and we have no reason to expect it will do anything else – it will leave its owners nothing to fear. According to figures from Warranty Direct, the previous-generation of Aygo is one of the most reliable models on its books; and such findings are backed up by the experience of owners on our site. What’s more, the Aygo scores over its sister cars, in having a five-year warranty when the French cars only have three-year cover.

Our rating: 5

8. Safety

Euro NCAP is yet to test the Aygo, so there’s no independent assessment of its safety. However, the good news is that every model in the range has the same standard safety kit – six airbags, anti-lock brakes with Emergency Braking Assistance, stability control and a tyre pressure-warning system. However, there’s no option equivalent to the City Safety autonomous braking system that you can buy on the Up, Mii and Citigo.

Our rating: 4

9. Equipment

There are three mainstream models, but it’s worth avoiding the basic x trim, which looks pretty Spartan, coming with few luxuries beyond electric front windows and remote central locking. Step up to x-play and you get a better stereo, smarter looks, Bluetooth, steering wheel-mounted controls, air-conditioning and a height-adjustable steering wheel. At the top of the range, x-pression adds part-leather sports-style front seats, DAB radio and the x-touch multimedia system with Mirror Link and a rear-view camera.

Our rating: 3

10. Why buy?

There are several areas – notably practicality, quality and refinement – where the Aygo has to give second best to rivals such as the Up and i10. However, even so, it’s a very likeable car, with plenty of character; and, if you like its unique style, that could well be enough to tempt you to sign on the dotted line.

Our rating: 3

Expert review 3.3

• Exterior4
• Interior2
• Practicality3
• Ride and handling3
• Performance2
• Running costs4
• Reliability5
• Safety4
• Equipment3
• Why buy?3

Our recommendations

Pick of the range
Aygo x-play 5dr
This trim gives the best balance of kit and costs, while the 5dr model is more practical
Most economical
Aygo with manual gearbox
All models with the five-speed manual ‘box average almost 70mpg and emit 95g/km CO2
Best avoided
Aygo x
The most basic model is too short of kit and low on style to make up for its low price

It’s quite possible to create a unique Aygo; and, several of the pieces can be changed even after several years of ownership