Is the new Toyota Aygo a radical departure from the City-commuter that it once was?

In a day and age where many think that bigger is better, it's refreshing to find a small package that delivers everything that it advertises on the box, and more. While most cars are growing in size and people are continually scaling up, there's a select few that believe that the future lies in the small.

The A-segment hatch class of cars has steadily grown over the past few years and this year South African's have been treated to a number of small cars with big character. We saw the Opel Adam and the VW Up! challenge the already established Swift and i10. While the Toyota Aygo was in the mix, it never really featured as a contender.

It's latest incarnation is set to change that up.

The new Toyota Aygo is a radical departure from the City-commuter that it once was. It takes high end functionality and class, and blends it with innovative and exciting styling to create a package that is right on the mark for young, conscientious buyers.

Styling

The entire design approach, in case you missed it, is the X-shape. It's kinda hard to miss.

The front end is characterised by the black leading edges that convene in the center of the nose and are met by similar black bars that rise up from either corner of the front bumper. These create the striking X-shape and are highlighted by the Toyota badge in the center.

In those leading edge lines, you'll find sharply angled and styled headlights while the line extends past them and onwards, up to the A-pillars. This theme is carried to the rear as well where the aggressively styled bumper and angled taillights work in harmony to recreate the X-theme.

Two options are available to consumers, a single tone entry package and the X-Play Black or Silver option. The latter offers a contrasting colour roof in either black or silver to offset the body colour, which at this point in time is available in white, silver, black, red or blue.

Interior

The X-trend continues inside with the center fascia angled to form an an hourglass-like look, housing airconditioning HVAC controls in the lower section and the touch screen multimedia interface – a serious piece of equipment.

Fitted with Bluetooth as standard, there are also inputs for Aux and USB and a 4-speaker sound system is fitted as standard – two more than offered by its nearest rival.

Power steering, electric windows, the aforementioned air conditioning, electric mirrors and remote central locking are all standard, even on the base model. In fact, the only difference between the Aygo and Aygo X-Play models is the colour schemes and the leather bound steering wheel and gear knob. Even the height adjustable seats are standard across the range.

Motor

As a city-slicker, the Aygo is fitted with a frugal yet peppy 1.0-litre 3-cylinder motor that produces 53kW and 95 Nm torque in a naturally aspirated form. It's a fun engine to have under the bonnet and performance was pleasantly surprising with the little Aygo managing to keep up with and pass traffic comfortably – even inclines are dealt with smoothly. It will do the 0 – 100km/h sprint in under 15-seconds. Hardly award winning, but perfectly suitable for its intended purpose.

Driven respectably, the Aygo will return combined cycle consumption figures of 4.4l/100km Toyota says.

The motor is complemented by a smooth shifting, slick 5-speed manual transmission.

Driving

The Aygo is fun to drive. The build quality is of a wonderful standard and while one cannot expect Rolls Royce levels of luxury from the trim, none of it was particularly offensive either. The seats are supportive and comfortable and possible the best in its class, while the road manners are engaging and predictable.

The firm suspension setup means that the handling is pleasantly surprising with my only criticism being a nervous feel at highway speeds. This could be attributed to the 14-inch steel wheels and 165- section tyres.

Pricing.

Now with the above mentioned, what would you expect to pay for a well-built, wonderfully styled, capable city car like this? Initially I pegged it at the R200 000 mark, and would have been pleasantly surprised if it came in at the R170 000 mark.

Imagine my surprise when Toyota announced that the Aygo starts at R138 900 for the Aygo model and that the X-Play model would only cost R1 000 more... That's right, R139 900 for the two-tone, leather trimmed top-of-the-range model.

At that price, Toyota has just changed the game.

All Aygos are sold with a 3 year / 100 000km warranty and the first 1000 customers will receive a free service plan as well.