Motoring: Toyota AYGO X – Stand Out In Style

By Declan Glynn

by Gazette Reporter
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The new Toyota Aygo X is an unapologetically compact car that is bursting with attitude. It defies the norm, offering the confidence of a high-riding crossover, but with the exclusive features of a city car.

Technically, this is the first car to be fully designed and developed by Toyota’s European branch, and its raised body, large alloy wheels and high driving position provide the car with the ability to turn heads wherever it goes. 

Rugged Crossover Style. 

There are four model variants available in the new Aygo X – Pulse, Design, Envy and Limited – all of which command terrific road presence. The new Aygo X is a much more rugged looking city car than its predecessor, and the full glass rear hatch and pop-out rear windows are features that first appeared on the original Aygo back in 2005. The cars’ rear wheel-arch plastic trim integrates neatly into the stylish rear bumper, and the overall design is suitably modern and totally cohesive. The Aygo X is built on the same TGNA GA-B platform that also underpins the Yaris and Yaris Cross, and this results in the car enjoying a longer and wider body than before, and it also benefits from increased ground clearance. The car is equipped with a wealth of enhanced safety features to ensure maximum occupant protection. Toyota Safety Sense is combined with other active driving and parking technologies to provide peace-of-mind on every journey. 

Refreshingly Modern Interior. 

There is a refreshingly modern look to the interior of the Aygo X, with the tops of the doors finished in the cars’ exterior colour, while other flashes of colour adorn various trim elements too. The large analogue speedometer is easy to read, and the smaller inset digital display provides the driver with additional information. The large oval-shaped centrepiece on the dash houses a colour touchscreen (7, 8 or 9-inch, depending on the trim variant chosen) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with Bluetooth, DAB audio, and smartphone integration. There are plenty of useful storage spaces within the cabin, with good-sized door bins in the front doors, two cup holders in the centre console and an area under the stylish dashboard for placing your phone (or wirelessly charging it – depending on the model chosen). Boot space measures in at 231-litres, but this can be extended to 829-litres when the rear seats are folded down. 

Fuel-Efficient Petrol Engine. 

Powering the new Aygo X is a retuned version of the previous-generation Aygo’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, and it is connected to either a five-speed manual or a CVT (automatic) transmission (Design trim only), with power delivered to the car’s front wheels. The 998cc powerplant produces 72bhp and 93Nm of torque, but the car does feel livelier than the figures would suggest. An impressive fuel consumption figure of 4.8l/100km (58.8mpg) on a WLTP combined driving cycle will allow for up to 730kms between petrol station visits – courtesy of the

Car on Review. 

My Aygo X Limited review car looked stunning in its Cardamom Green metallic paint with a Night Sky Black roof and distinctive Mandarina Orange accents. The sleek Aygo X Limited is the ultimate in urban sophistication, and key Limited specification includes 18-inch Matt Black alloy wheels with Mandarina Orange wheel inserts, front & rear parking sensors, Smart entry, premium partial synthetic leather seats with Mandarina Orange stitching, and heated front seats as standard. Driving the Aygo X around town is an easy and rewarding experience, as the cars’ small footprint and direct steering allows the driver to nip in and out of side streets with the minimum of fuss. With less than three turns lock-to-lock, parking and manoeuvring is a doddle, and this exercise was made even easier thanks to the parking sensors and rear camera fitted to my review car. Although it’s not entirely at home on a motorway, the car manages to keep up with fast-moving traffic rather well. It soaks up road imperfections in a composed manner, and this makes long distances simple to cover. The five-speed manual transmission is slick in its operation, and it is sufficiently geared to cope with motorway driving at higher speeds without making the car feel strained. Additionally, Toyota claim that the car’s suspension, brakes and body have been optimised for this engine, and the car feels all the better for it. 

Verdict & Pricing. 

The new Toyota Aygo X is an excellent city car that combines its rugged good looks and mature road manners with an ergonomically-designed interior that provides good long-distance comfort. The chassis, and the refinement on offer, are up to the standards of the class above, and this results in superb ease of drivability. Pricing for the new Aygo X starts at just €19,370.

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