Introduction
Fresh face and more fizz to popular city hatchback
Toyota’s AYGO with its distinctive X style front face has been a big success for the company, so there’s a lot riding on the latest one, launched at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. It’s designed to appeal to a style conscious audience who need a small, economical hatchback but aren’t solely driven by facts and figures. Changes include an even more youthful and distinctive design as well as improved performance and handling for a fun-to-drive experience.
Performance
The AYGO’s 998cc three-cylinder, 12-valve DOHC engine now meets Euro 6.2 emissions standards. Changes include a new dual fuel injector system, a higher compression ratio, new low-friction components, a cooled exhaust gas recirculation system and an improved balancer shaft for less vibration at idling speed. These revisions help deliver more torque at lower engine speeds where it’s most needed in urban traffic. All models but the manual-only AYGO x are available with either manual or auto transmission and, depending on model, the official combined fuel consumption can be up to 68.8mpg, with combined CO2 from 93 g/km. As well as the engine performance tweaks, Toyota has also changed the suspension settings and steering software for a livelier, more agile feel.
Design
AYGO’s distinctive ‘X’ frontal treatment has been made more striking and powerful in the new model, with redesigned headlamp units sweeping up and back towards the A pillars. At the rear, new LED lights give the new AYGO a sophisticated look, helping to create the perception of a compact cabin above a wider, lower bumper area. AYGO has always majored on the scope each customer has for individualisation, and the latest model range continues this with new colours and new wheel designs, each dedicated to a specific model grade
Technology
While the AYGO x comes with a simple audio system, all models from the AYGO x-play upwards get a 7” colour touchscreen multimedia system plus Bluetooth connectivity. Choose x-press and you also get a reversing camera, while x-plore gains an integral sat nav. For the full technological bells and whistles you’ll need AYGO x-cite or x-clusiv, which have full Pioneer smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™.
Safety
All models feature Vehicle Stability Control, LED daytime running lamps and LED rear combination lamps, as well as a Tyre Pressure Warning system. Optional safety features (standard on the flagship AYGO x-clusiv) include Toyota Safety Sense's Pre-Collision System, which uses a camera and laser to detect other vehicles in the road ahead. When the system detects a potential collision the driver is alerted with audio and visual warnings and brake assistance is activated. If the driver fails to brake in time the brakes automatically engage to prevent or mitigate a collision. AYGO x-clusiv also benefits from Toyota Safety Sense's Lane Departure Alert which gives the driver audible and visual warnings if the vehicle starts to deviate from its lane without the turn indicator being applied, allowing you to take corrective action.
Verdict: while the AYGO can provide simple, no-frills city transport at the lower end of the range there’s lots of extra scope for fun and personalisation as you explore the line-up. It’s a fun and stylish small hatchback with as much connectivity and technology as you could wish for.
| Dimensions | |
| Vehicle length | 3455 mm / 136 in |
| Vehicle width | 1623 mm / 63.9 in |
| Vehicle height | (unladen) 1460 mm / 57.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 2340 mm / 92.1 in |
| Weight | |
| Unladen weight (DIN) | 840 kg / 1852 lb |
| Engine | |
| Engine / Cylinders | 1.0-litre |
| Engine Capacity | 998 cc |
| Max Torque | 95 nm @ 4300 rpm |
| Max Power | 51 KW @ 7000 rpm |
| Performance | |
| Top Speed | 99 mph |
| Acceleration | 0-62 mph / 14.2 sec |
| Efficiency | |
| Combined cycle | 68.9 mpg |
| CO2 | 95 g/km |
