New Toyota Aygo X: there’s life in the city car yet

Published: 05 November 2021 Updated: 05 November 2021

► New Aygo X city car arrives in 2022
► Loads of tech, SUV-like looks
► One of few remaining city cars

Toyota’s announced its new Aygo X supermini that’ll sit below the Yaris – revitalising its smallest car in the range and the segment as a whole.

The new Aygo X arrives as this part of the car market is shrinking; its former partners Citroen and Peugeot are no longer part of the agreement between the trio of brands using the same shared parts to make a car this small, with the current C1 and 108 not long for this world and not expected to be replaced in the same way. VW Group, which also has made cars in this segment in the past, too is quietly killing them off: the Mii and Citigo from Seat and Skoda briefly were electric-only before being shuffled off to the car graveyard, with only the VW Up remaining.

aygo x rear

Back to the Aygo X, please…

Sorry. So in order for Toyota to attract people back into city cars, it’s taken design cues from its SUVs in the new Aygo X’s design. Bulky wheelarches and chunky haunches are present, with lots of black plastic cladding all around the trimmed edges and a (slightly) raised ride height of 11mm compared to the previous Aygo.

Toyota says the new car’s colour palette is based all around spices and fruits, including Cardamom green, Chilli red, Ginger beige and Juniper blue. LED lights are among the exterior details and, as before, you can specify a fabric rolltop roof. Toyota’s also introducing a Limited trim level at the start of Aygo sales, finished in Cardamom green with flecks of orange inside and out, plus bespoke alloys and upholstery.

aygo x roof

Inside, Toyota’s pushed up the levels of kit expected for a car this small, with tech like adaptive cruise control, keyless start, navigation as part of its large central screen and a JBL audio system all on the kit list depending on spec.

Due to the use of the Toyota Global GA-B platform that underpins the Yaris and Yaris Cross, the brand says the new Aygo X is 235mm longer than the previous gen, with the wheelbase increasing by 90mm for more interior space.

aygo x interior

So, is the Aygo X electric?

Nope. Not even a hybrid, which is very un-Toyota. Just one engine is available, a 1.0-litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder unit developing 71bhp and 69lb ft. You can pick either a five-speed manual or a CVT automatic gearbox.

The manual version will take 15.6 seconds to get to 62mph, a top speed of 98mph, and Toyota’s targeting 60mpg and emissions of 110g/km. The auto version takes 15.5 seconds to 62mph, tops out at 94mph and Toyota is aiming for 58mpg and 107g/km.

When and how much?

Prices aren’t confirmed yet but expect around the £13,500 mark as an entry price; Toyota says the new Aygo X will go on sale in the first months of 2022.

By Jake Groves

CAR's deputy news editor, gamer, serial Lego-ist, lover of hot hatches

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