The intriguing new Toyota Aygo-X arrives in January 2022.
The intriguing new Toyota Aygo-X arrives in January 2022.
The new Aygo-X (pronounced ‘Aygo-Cross’) is a smart new offering from Toyota, promising a spritely suburban travel experience combined with reliable driving and respectability reinforced by some sophisticated features including a daring exterior aesthetic.
The outer body is a two-tone colour contrast – intriguing enough in itself and a hint at the Aygo-X’s city-slicker attitude – and its alloy wheels span up to 18 inches, and with chrome plating and neon-coloured ‘V’ sign on one double spoke per wheel, there’s a cool confidence to this compact-SUV crossover.
The Aygo-X front has a slightly snarly look to it with a triangular-studded grill in an almost illusory arrangement, and two-pronged LED headlights, as well as strong panelling across the bonnet finished in a matte effect, regardless of the colour.
Speaking of colours, there’s an interesting Chilli model option available, finished in a metallic red flush, while a distinctive colour palette is available.
Looking from the outside, the car has a clear nod to the ‘baby SUV’ range, with 11mm higher ground clearance and wider dimensions around the flanks. But what’s also intriguing is its bold optional folding roof, very much a city car characteristic.
The driver will enjoy a higher ride height than in previous iterations of the Aygo, giving a commanding view of the road for its relatively humble dimensions. That’s thanks to a driving position that’s 55mm higher than before.
And the cabin itself, while not cavernous - in keeping with its city car DNA - is still comfortable, and in front of the driver at the centre of the dashboard, there’s a 9-inch infotainment system, framed by a funky oval-shaped plastic panel. The steering wheel area is well built and the instrument display immersive enough.
With the infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are installed to allow easy app pairing, while there’s an optional JBL speaker system to enhance the sound of your favourite streaming app or radio station.
Front seating is wider than ever, giving 45mm more shoulder space, and improved headroom, even for six-foot-plus drivers. Its design is striking and sport; a criss-cross of Xs are ingrained into comfy sports-style seats.
In the rear, two adults can be carried quite easily but it’s important to note that Toyota has emphasised front seating room with the Aygo-X (based on the manufacturer’s own research suggesting that so any prolonged journeys with much taller rear passengers might require a stretch of the legs.
The cabin itself is a pleasant experience overall, thanks in part to improved sound insulation, protecting from the worst of city traffic noise, and larger dimensions.
The new Aygo-X’s boot space is 231 litres, a marked improvement, of 58 litres, on previous versions, which is decent for a compact-hatchback crossover and certainly enough for lifestyle storage for commuting and after-work hobbies. For longer journeys, storage might be a squeeze, but there’s ample room for moderate baggage.
The Aygo-X has a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine which provides 71bhp, and propels this crossover from 0-62mph in around 15 seconds.
However, you’re not going to be obsessed by its acceleration; with a fuel economy hovering around the 60mpg mark, you should be content to cruise and reap the rewards of some efficient engine technology, knowing all the while that it has the dimensions and the character to go out of town and handle itself on the open road.
