The difference between the old Aygo and new is as different as “chalk and cheese” – the previous model was good, is still good, and sought after as a used car. But the all-new car is light years ahead and a totally different proposition.

The car we had on test was the special edition X-Clusiv. The first thought on the name was “kids will never learn how to spell correctly if manufacturers keep doing this”, but it does give it a modern and youthful urban feel… init. Toyota has gone against their traditional badging policy to create a different marketing slant. The X-Clusiv is only available in black and is expected to be on sale for just a few months. No doubt other special editions will follow in due course, and will help keep the new car fresh and unique.

The new Aygo is built alongside its cousins, the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108 at the joint venture TPCA plant, located in the city of Kolin in the Czech Republic. They are all built to a high standard, with quality, fit and finish much improved over the old car. 

Under the skin, all three are pretty much the same, but on the surface all three look different, which has to be a good thing, and gives the customer a choice on the way their new baby car looks. It is impossible to say which is the nicest, most handsome, or the most appealing, as all three are so different in so many ways. One thing is for sure though; all of them are pretty in their own special way.

The Aygo is powered by a 998cc 3 cylinder petrol engine that produces 68bhp which doesn’t sound a lot, and in fact is not a lot but is ample for the size of car in most situations. It is not the fastest thing away at traffic lights with its 0 – 62mph sprint taking 14.2 seconds. The only real negative feature about this small engine is its ability, or lack of ability to get up to motorway speed on the slip road when joining other traffic that is already on the motorway. You can feel vulnerable when they are travelling at 70mph, and you are not, because you can’t. 

Generally, around town and on local journeys, there just isn’t a problem. The Aygo has a top speed of 99mph, and perhaps this would only achieved on a long downhill stretch of autobahn. It has a combined fuel consumption figure of 68.9mpg; although during the time we had the test car we achieved on average just over 55mpg. The all-important CO2 figure is 95g/km and therefore the VED rate is zero.

The Special Edition is fully loaded, with the list of standard equipment endless. Here is the shortened version: hill-start assist, bluetooth, rear view camera, keyless entry, heated door mirrors, DAB radio, rear spoiler, auto headlights, LED daytime running lights, auto air-conditioning, leather steering wheel & gearshift knob, driver’s seat height adjuster, 15 inch alloy wheels, side curtain airbags.

Apart from the steady build up to motorway speeds, the Aygo is brilliant around town, which is really the environment it was designed to drive in. But it was out in the country it really proved itself to be a solid car that handles so well, it goes around any corner as though it is fastened to the road with Velcro. For such a small car, it is very impressive; it really did feel extremely safe. The seats are comfortable and supportive and you could travel many a mile in it, and get out feeling as good as when you got in. 

The exterior design looks modern and “cool”, as the youngsters would say. The X-Clusiv has a large silver cross on the front grille and it also has other silver features on the body which makes it stand out in a crowd. Toyota have been very brave by making it look so appealing and different, as they have not been renowned or blessed in recent years with having dynamic looking cars. But the new Aygo is a huge departure from those dark days, Toyota have moved into this century and with quite a bang.

The Interior is as  modern as the exterior, and it is very evident that the design team have left no stone unturned is ensuring that the cabin is youthful looking, high quality and every switch, button and lever at your fingertip and easy to understand and operate.

The price of the test car is £11,695.00 OTR, but the Aygo range starts from £8,499.00 OTR.

Toyota and their Partners have got this small car exactly right, and as good as the old one is, the new one just outshines it in every department.

Martin Ward, Manufacturer Relationship Manager