New vs. previous Toyota Aygo: What are the top 3 differences?
The second-generation Aygo made its debut in 2015, offering a trendy new X-motif design, teamed with a decent selection of infotainment and safety features, making it one of the safest and most well-equipped entry-level cars in SA. In 2018, the Aygo underwent a thorough exterior redesign with added extras both inside and out. Here are the most prominent changes.
1. A new "face" with larger projector headlamps and LED daytime running lamps
The previous model (above) had a more aggressive look with a clearer X across the nose which afforded the Aygo with way more attitude that it has now. The most recent Aygo (below) suddenly looked all sweet and innocent; more attractive to first-year female students than the young, male professional. DRLs serve the very important purpose of making you more visible to oncoming traffic, however, so this can't be sneezed at, especially in a small car. But, I can't help but prefer the previous design.
The dual-toned Aygo X-Clusiv was added to the lineup in 2019. It looks best in black with a silver roof.
Other exterior changes included a more sporty silhouette with an "upswept rear window line and sloping roofline". The rear design still features "vertically-positioned, boomerang-shaped tail lamps which feature newly-designed light elements. A large, blacked-out tailgate and lower bumper area continues the “X”-theme at the stern", says Toyota. The X-Cite model comes with diamond-cut 15-inch alloy wheels.
The 2018 interior upgrade (below) was more subtle, with the cabin still featuring bucket seats in front and colourful fabric trim, with a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear lever which are much more pleasing to the eyes, as well as to the touch, than polyurethane.
More options for personalisation were added in 2019, with the addition of the Aygo X-Clusiv and Aygo X-Cite Orange with a folding orange canvas top, which could be paired with one of 6 exterior colurs.
2. More safety features
The current Aygo received VSC (stability control) as well as Hill Assist Control with its last facelift in 2018. The previous Aygo already had ABS as well as Brake Assist, to help the driver brake as hard as is necessary in emergency situations. Front and side airbags are standard, while 6 airbags are standard in the top-spec models. As it stands, the Toyota Aygo is one of the safest entry-level cars in South Africa.
3. An upgraded engine
Not a prominent change, we know, but the 998cc 3-cylinder engine was tuned and tweaked for a 2 kW increase in power (from 51 kW to 53 kW) and decreased fuel consumption. Such a good job was done that the Toyota Aygo won the title of SA's most fuel-efficient, sub-1199cc normally-aspirated car in the WesBank Fuel Economy Tour. (The Aygo was piloted by Carrie-Ann Leathern and her navigator.) In the end, they attained a figure of 4.83 litres per 100 km on the combined cycle, i.e. mixed driving (traffic, highways, all terrain).
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