Top 3 things you need to know about the Toyota Agya
The entry-level car market is getting more competitive by the month, as manufacturers release vehicles that suit budget-buyers best. The recently-released Agya's Toyota badge is sure to appeal to the masses, and if you're planning a test drive, you can enter the showroom prepared by getting to know the model a little better. SYN
1. It shares its underpinnings with the Daihatsu Ayla
Daihatsu is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Toyota Motor Corporation, and the Ayla, on which the Agya is based, has been around for quite some time. Toyota would never form partnerships with brands they don't have faith in, so the fact that the Agya is not a 100 percent Toyota, is no reason not to buy one. (Interestingly, the name Ayla is Sanskrit for “light”, while “Agya” translates to “fast".)
2. It's powered by a 998-cc petrol engine, but isn't tardy at all
Okay, so the Agya is not as fast as the Sanskrit name suggests, but it is light. The 1.0-litre engine has an output of 49 kW and 89 Nm and while it won't break any land speed records, it's sufficient for what daily life throws at you, and feels balanced and stable at highway speeds. Choose between a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic model.
Thanks to the Agya's low kerb weight, it won't break the bank where fuel consumption is concerned either, and returns a figure of about 6-7 litres per 100 km (in our personal experience, not the manufacturer's figure).
Safety is taken care of by ABS brakes, 2 x airbags and EBD, an acronym for electronic brake-force distribution.
3. It's comfortable and roomy inside, especially on the rear seat, plus it's Wi-Fi ready
Most cars in this segment are a little short on rear legroom, but not the Agya, which makes it the ideal school runabout for the daily slog. Plus, your Agya has the ability for on-board Wi-Fi as well as a streaming service that works via Toyota Connect. Data can be topped up as needed, but you get 15GB once-off with the purchase of the Agya, as well as a streaming service via Vodacom to be enjoyed wherever you are.
"In support of these new services, guests now have the option of activating either a 15 Gb data bundle, 10 Gb with 2-month free video play streaming or 10 Gb with 3-month free MyMuze, on their MyToyota App. As before, bespoke top-up data packages are available once the initial complimentary data is depleted", says Toyota South Africa Motors.
Should you desire a touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can specify it at extra cost.
The Agya is a well-priced, entry-level car with all the most important features on board already. Certainly one to take for a test drive if you're shopping around for a cost-effective, quality hatch!
