Toyota Aygo X (2021 - )

There's a new model in the Toyota line-up and it introduces crossover practicality to the A segment. It's the Aygo X (that's pronounced ‘cross’) and it's very easy on the eye and the pocket. 

It replaces the Aygo, a car that has been gracing out roads since 2005, but this version has its own new identity and appeal. 

With prices ranging from £14,805 to £20,750 customers can choose from generously-equipped trims called Pure, Edge, Exclusive and Limited Edition. All models are available with a five-speed manual gearbox or CVT automatic transmission. 

And the car is also on offer with a snazzy retractable roof bringing everything a European driver wants to the mix.

Powering the Aygo X is Toyota's highly-acclaimed and award-winning three-cylinder, one-litre petrol engine delivering 71bhp and 93Nm of torque. It can be matched to a five-speed manual or CVT auto transmission. The 0-62mph sprint time is 14.9 seconds on the manual and 14.8 seconds on the auto with a top speed of 98mph (94mph on the CVT model).

While these figures may not sound earth shattering, it's worth remembering that the Aygo X is a compact urban crossover for the A segment and blistering pace is not necessarily a defining characteristic. That said; it's no slouch and superb fun to drive. We tested the European equivalent of the Exclusive grade Aygo X with the manual gearbox and it was a little firecracker of a car zipping along and weaving through the busy city traffic. Toyota predicts 75 per cent of Aygo X sales in the UK will be manual.

When it comes to performance, there is enough power to cope with motorway driving and testing hill climbs, and although it's not the most dynamic in its segment, it is definitely entertaining to drive. 

We also took the Aygo X with the latest Toyota CVT transmission for a test and, while it was very capable and will be ideal for anyone who lives in a city with lots of stop, start driving, it was not so responsive when pushed hard. Steering wheels paddles do offer the option to switch gears manually which is a plus point.

The Aygo x is fitted with larger wheels and tyres than the Aygo and, along with the GA-B suspension that has been tweaked for this car, it offers improved roll stiffness. That means the ride is really comfortable, even on longer journeys with most bumps and dips smoothed out along the way. There is no sign of body lean into tight bends and the car feels well planted when pushed on through the twisting country lanes.

The wheelbase is 2,430mm and the Aygo X boasts an excellent turning circle of just 4.7 metres which is one of the best in the sector. That makes it the perfect companion for anyone living in a built-up area where squeezing into tight parking spaces is a day-to-day challenge.

When it comes to refinement, the Aygo X is a class act with interior noise levels barely noticeable thanks to improved sound insulation materials. 

The steering has been specifically tuned for European roads and the all-new S-CVT automatic transmission system delivers intuitive gearing while protecting the power-fuel balance. That said; the Aygo X with CVT does get a little rev-happy under really heavy acceleration.

By evolving the Aygo from a hatchback to a crossover, the designers have given the Aygo X a dynamic style with flared wheel arches to emphasise the large-diameter tyres and deliver a confident stance. The crossover look is accentuated by a shorter front overhang and the larger wheel sizes at 17 or 18 inches.

The entry-level models have halogen projector headlights while the high-end versions gain LED lights and daytime running lights. There is rear privacy glass, black wheel arch mouldings, the option of a canvas roof and also a gloss black bi-tone roof. There are pop-out rear windows which look quite quirky, but may not be so appealing to back seat passengers.

An exclusive colour scheme based on spices has been chosen for the Aygo X, so customers can select from Cardamom Green, Chilli Red, Ginger Beige or Juniper Blue and these are offered with a bi-tone black paint to give the vehicle a distinctive, easily recognisable appearance.

A Limited Edition in the Cardamom Green is available for six months and features additional Mandarina accents throughout the car with flashy decals and extra seat trim in the colour shade.

The interior is bright and cheerful with a choice of fabric, synthetic leather or part leather upholstery, and the blue ambient lighting on top spec models looks really upmarket. There is a three-spoke leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear level along with climate control with pollen filters. And look for the ‘X’ symbol that is discreetly stitched into the seat upholstery on higher trim levels, along with the ‘Aygo X’ model name subtly featured in the LED headlamps.

With manually adjustable seats and a height adjustable steering wheel (no reach), it doesn’t take long to find a comfortable driving position inside the Aygo X. And thanks to the slightly elevated seating which has been raised by 55mm, along with a better positioned A-pillar, the all-round visibility impresses.

When it comes to on-board technology, the Aygo X is fully loaded. Toyota’s latest multi-media system offers cloud-based navigation so the car is always connected on the move and any software updates will automatically be carried out over-the-air.

Wireless smartphone connectivity is offered via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with a smartphone charging tray on Exclusive and Limited Edition models.

Dependant on the trim, there is a four-speaker audio with DAB or five-speaker JBL premium sound system. The touchscreen also ranges from seven, eight or nine-inches in size. All versions have Bluetooth and USB connection, along with audio controls on the steering wheel.

Range-topping models gain Toyota Smart Connect. This not only adds the larger touchscreen, but introduces ambient lighting, along with a MyT smartphone app that allows you to track fuel levels, driving analytics, trip data and it also works as a vehicle tracker.

It’s quite a simplistic layout, but everything is easy to operate on the fly.

The five-door Aygo X is a fabulous city car that can venture much further when needed, so it needs to cover certain practicality bases. And, considering its compact size, it has been really cleverly packaged.

The car, which is built on the GA-B platform stretches 3,700mm in length (235mm longer than the outgoing car), is 1,740mm across (an increase of 125mm) and 1,525mm high. 

These new dimensions result in more space within the cabin with the front seats set an extra 20mm apart with shoulder room increased by 45mm. There are just two seats in the back and passengers will be comfy enough if the front seats are not pushed right back. Ideally though, they are suited best for children.

The boot has grown by more than 60 litres compared to the outgoing Aygo. It can now swallow 231 litres of kit, increasing to 829 litres with the 50:50 split-folding rear seats dropped down. If the model is fitted with the JBL sound system, it reduces the boot capacity by up to 50 litres.

The height of the Aygo X is now 1,525mm – an increase of 65mm - and when you factor in the optional pagoda roof design, it really is a classy looking model.

Elsewhere, there are plenty of convenient nooks and crannies to store goodies, such as a glovebox, door bins, trays and cup holders.

The Toyota Aygo X costs from £14,805 for the entry-level Pure model with a five-speed manual gearbox. The range-topper is the Aygo X Limited Edition CVT, priced at £20,750. While the three main trim levels can be reserved online or at Toyota centres with a £99 refundable fee, the Limited Edition model is available exclusively online.

Our test car, in Exclusive grade and with manual gearbox, was priced at £17,725 with no optional extras. The auto model we also drove featured the Pagoda roof which offers open-top fun to the mix and adds £895 to the cost. The other main option is a JBL sound system priced at £495.

The Aygo X with manual transmission delivers a combined 56.5-58.8mpg with carbon emissions of 109-110g/km. While the CVT versions can achieve a combined 56.5mpg with CO2 emissions of 113-114g/km.

These CO2 figures would result in a first year Vehicle Excise Duty charge – or road tax as it’s generally referred to – of £170 for the manual and £190 for the CVT, both dropping to the standard £165 after 12 months.

Insurance ratings for the car are yet to be confirmed.

Toyota has for some time been viewed as one of the most reliable carmakers out there and it frequently scores very well in customer satisfaction surveys.

The Aygo X certainly feels well put together with neat upholstered seats, along with plenty of practical wipe-clean surfaces. Some of the harder plastic surfaces may be prone to scratching over time, but all the switchgear feels sturdy and chunky wheel arch mouldings certainly give the car a more robust appearance.

For peace of mind, the Aygo X comes with Toyota’s three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, However, customers can extend the cover at no extra charge through the excellent Toyota Relax programme. This requires vehicles are serviced at an authorised Toyota centre and they gain an extra year and 10,000 miles cover up to a limit of 10 years or 100,000 miles.

And for £15 per month, Toyota will provide the car’s first three scheduled services, along with three years of the award-winning Toyota Roadside Assistance. This represents a saving of £250.

It’s reassuring to see that every model in the Aygo X line-up features the same extensive list of safety specifications and driver assistance systems.

The company’s Safety Sense package is included as standard and features include a pre-collision system with vehicle detection that now functions at higher speeds. It’s day and night pedestrian detection, daytime cyclist detection, collision mitigation support functions, intelligent adaptive cruise control, lane trace assist and emergency steering assist all make their Aygo debut.

Additional safety tech across the Aygo X range include six airbags, two Isofix child seat fixtures, child safety door locks, seatbelt reminders, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist, a tyre pressure warning system, speed limiter and eCall.

The Aygo X has not yet been tested for a Euro NCAP safety rating. It is fitted with remote central locking an immobiliser to keep thieves at bay.

The Toyota Aygo X is a cracking little car that’s small in size but very big in character. It’s fun and easy to drive, packed with tech and boasts outstanding safety systems as standard too.