09 February 2012

Toyota Aygo 1.0 Aygo Road Test Report

1.0 Aygo Summary

The Toyota Aygo is the sister model to the Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1. Great engine, low running costs, good looks and a excellent quality for the money.

Performance

The Toyota Aygo has the limited choice of only the three-cylinder 1.0 petrol engine. 67bhp is enough and the Aygo is a nippy and convenient town/city car that can still hold its own on the motorways. A semi-auto gearbox with a full auto programme is optional.

Ride & Handling

A car that handles neatly but the steering is rather shiftless. The Aygo is available in automatic and manual, the manual is recommended as the Multi-Mode manual transmission will infuriate you. The ride is rugged and noisy, especially noticeable when the surface changes.

Build Quality & Reliability

Toyota’s reputation for reliability is well earned and all models are built at a Toyota-designed factory that follows strict quality benchmarking. The interior has nice touches and the attention to detail is impressive. Although this is a budget car the general feel is that the Aygo is built to last.

Safety & Security

Front airbags come as standard, side airbags standard in all but the base model. Curtain airbags are not available on the Aygo but the Euro NCAP rating of 4 stars will reassure many drivers that they will be well protected in the event of an accident. ABS and ISOFIX child seat mounts also come as standard.

Space & Practicality

The Aygo can seat 4 average-sized adults without too many problems. The boot space is tiny and not easy to access. The split rear seats can be folded to cater for any large load.