The Toyota Aygo X is metropolis automotive with altitude. No, that’s not a typo. The X, which is pronounced “Cross”, takes the acquainted Aygo metropolis automotive recipe and offers it a crossover twist, including chunky physique cladding and further floor clearance. However is there any substance to that crossover revamp, or is the brand new identify and trip top merely distracting us from the automotive’s faults? We grabbed the keys to seek out out.

The earlier two generations of Aygo shared a physique, inside and operating gear with the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107 (and later 108) and have been significantly well-liked with younger drivers in Europe. Nevertheless it’s grow to be more durable to make the enterprise case for low-cost vehicles now that consumers and regulators count on them to comprise a lot consolation and security tools that eats into the revenue margin, so the French corporations ducked out this time, leaving Toyota to go it alone.

This third technology Aygo then, the Aygo X, is all Toyota’s work, and relies on a shortened model of the Yaris’s TNGA GA-B platform. Whereas the Yaris measures 155.1 in (3,940 mm) bumper-to-bumper and rides on a 100.8 in (2,560 mm) wheelbase, the Aygo X is shorter by 9.4 in (240 mm) and 5.1 in (130 mm) in every case.

However whereas the Aygo X is perhaps small in stature and value (it begins at £14,805 within the UK, versus £21,080 for a fundamental Yaris), it’s large on presence. Toyota previewed the X’s styling with 2021’s Aygo X Prologue idea, and it’s nice to see that almost all of what we noticed there made it to the street. The contrasting black rear quarter panels, black plastic wheelarch spats and big black plastic bumper/grille sections make the Aygo X stand out in metropolis site visitors.

Associated: New Toyota Aygo X Debuts As An Adventurous Metropolis Automobile For Europe

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That’s all they do although. The X has no actual go-anywhere credibility. Beneath the crossover dressing it’s an atypical front-wheel drive micro-hatch whose fractionally taller (by simply 0.4-in/11 mm) trip top provides you somewhat additional visibility from the motive force’s seat.

Engine: Loads of attraction, not sufficient poke

There’s no all-wheel drive possibility accessible to Aygo X consumers and the one engine is a 1.0-liter naturally aspirated triple from the previous Aygo with no hybrid help by any means, and which makes a tiny 71 hp (72 PS) and 69 lb-ft (93 Nm) of torque.You in all probability don’t want me to spell out that the X will get an F for acceleration.

Lengthy intermediate gears killed a lot of the potential zip within the five-speed guide automotive we drove, that means zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) takes 15.6 seconds, although the CVT different, which theoretically ought to all the time have the best ratio, nonetheless wants 15.5 seconds. If you should get locations in a rush, this isn’t the automotive for you, however the little triple does at the least sound pretty characterful, even when it isn’t the quietest engine round, and the clutch and gearchange are gentle.

Neat dealing with, agency however snug trip

The steering can also be gentle, and is about as chatty as your common coma affected person, however does at the least level the automotive neatly and precisely. The Aygo X turns into corners neatly and grips method higher than you’d count on given the hilariously skinny 175-section rubber our posh Unique mannequin’s 18-inch wheels have been sporting. Physique roll is pretty properly managed, the trip is surprisingly good given the tiny wheelbase, and the brief turning circle makes it perfect for metropolis driving.

Please don’t make me go within the again once more

Much less nice for metropolis driving is the poor over-shoulder visibility. Blame the fats C-pillars and massively thick door body; rear passengers actually will as a result of they make it really feel fairly claustrophobic again there, one thing made worse by the rear home windows solely hinging outwards somewhat than rolling down. It’s finest to think about the Aygo X as a two-seater with a few spare seats within the again. Adults as much as 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) or so will match, however anybody taller goes to battle for head and legroom (significantly with the non-obligatory canvas roof), and the rear door aperture is so slender, even getting your legs out and in is awkward.

Pack gentle and put together to get lifting

The baggage bay can also be fairly stingy. You get 8.2 cu-ft (231 liters) of house which is sufficient to take a few slim rolling instances, or squashy luggage, however rivals just like the Hyundai i10 supply extra, and the excessive load sill means you’ll be heaving the issues as much as chest top such as you’re performing some type of kettlebell exercise earlier than you may drop them into the bay. The rear seats do at the least fold, so whereas the X’s rear bench isn’t that roomy for passengers, it could actually at the least help once you’ve obtained mountains of buying luggage.

Massive automotive really feel within the entrance

Associated: Toyota Boss Says A Scorching Aygo X Gazoo Racing Is Potential However Not In The Playing cards

Up entrance although, it’s a special story. The cabin feels gentle and ethereal, and though the dashboard and door plastics make a marble kitchen worktop really feel tender to the contact, there are sufficient tactile surfaces, just like the chunky leather-wrapped steering wheel and equipment shifter, and visible treats, together with the half-moon speedometer with its add-on digital show, to keep away from it feeling depressingly fundamental.

Toyota makes an enormous play concerning the increased driving place making it simpler for drivers to identify street hazards, and it’s true, you do really feel such as you’re sitting excessive up once you look out via the door window. However there’s a bizarre mismatch right here. The scuttle and dashboard are a lot increased than the tops of the door panel, so once you’re wanting ahead you by no means get that very same sense of elevation.

Different niggles embrace the place of the auxiliary energy sockets, that are tucked under and partially hidden by the local weather management panel, which itself is mounted somewhat too low. Not less than you continue to get user-friendly rotary controls for temperature and fan pace.

Value and availability

You possibly can’t purchase an Aygo X in North America or Australia, however within the UK the Aygo X begins at £14,805 ($18,600 at present trade charges) for the fundamental Pure with a five-speed guide transmission, or £15,905 ($19,445) for a similar factor mated to a CVT. If you would like the fashionable 18-inch wheels, bi-color bodywork, local weather management and auto wipers you’ll must improve to the Edge (£16,505 / $20,178) or Unique (£17,725 / $21,670), the latter going a step additional with keyless ignition, a 9-inch touchscreen and LED lights. Past that there’s a Restricted Version vary topper with heated seats and a canvas sunroof, however at £19,659 ($24,035) you’re heading dangerously near correct supermini territory, making it arduous to advocate.

However to be trustworthy, the fundamental Pure might be the place the candy spot is, as a result of even that entry degree automotive comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, reversing digicam, adaptive cruise management, guide air-con, auto lights, a 7-inch infotainment system with DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Aygo’s power has all the time been its no-frills simplicity, and the Pure most closely fits that invoice, although it’s value noting that rivals just like the Fiat Panda and Suzuki Ignis undercut it on value by as a lot as £1,000.

The brand new automotive’s fake crossover schtick possibly doesn’t tally with that simplicity, nevertheless it doesn’t actually matter. What does is that when your scrape away the off-road posturing, the Aygo X is a superb metropolis automotive. The crossover theme merely provides it a bit extra type than your common city runabout, that means extra individuals may take the time to learn how good it’s, and lots of may think about the visible X issue ample justification for the premium it instructions over its rivals.