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<\/p>\nThe Toyota Aygo X, or Cross, is the last and smallest Toyota to be equipped with the company\u2019s hybrid technology, and it\u2019s the most fuel-efficient car I have driven in years.<\/p>\n
That hybrid technology means that a petrol engine is assisted by a battery, without the need for any external charging.<\/p>\n
It just runs along happily, alternating between pure electric and petrol power – in this case a 1.5-litre unit producing more power than was available in the previous Aygo model.<\/p>\n
That means the car has sharper acceleration, but I don’t see this as being terribly relevant for a small car that is most at home in the city and offers hybrid driving as an alternative to fully-electric driving – something many people are not quite ready to embrace for various reasons.<\/p>\n
The Aygo X is a car with significant strengths.<\/p>\n
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Its greatest strength is economy, and I managed to achieve an average fuel consumption of 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres over a period of mixed driving conditions. In old money, that\u2019s just over 74 miles per gallon. It makes the Aygo almost worth buying for its frugality alone.<\/p>\n
Its standard safety package also deserves recognition. For many years now, Toyota has made its Safety Sense package standard on all its cars. This means even the budget Aygo gets a pre-collision and emergency braking system, lane assist, road sign recognition and a driving assistance programme, making Toyota unique among car manufacturers.<\/p>\n
The Aygo is well proportioned but limited. It\u2019s an ideal city car for two up front, but the rear is tiny. There are two rear seats, but they are very cramped when the front seats are extended to any reasonable degree.<\/p>\n
The rear doors also have a narrow aperture and the rear passenger windows pop out on hinges rather than wind up or down, a curiously retro feature.<\/p>\n
The boot is a modest 231 litres in capacity, meaning it is quite limited. The rear seats do fold for extra space, but they don\u2019t fold flat.<\/p>\n
The new version gets a new bonnet, headlights, front grille and slightly more flared wheel arches that give it a rather squat but pleasantly chunky appearance on its 17″ or 18″ wheels, depending on the grade.<\/p>\n
You can also have, at extra cost, a two-tone colour scheme with a black roof to contrast various colour choices.<\/p>\n
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The interior is pleasant with adequately sprung seats and small but functional screens for infotainment and driver\u2019s information. Graphics are clear and pretty responsive.<\/p>\n
On the open road, the Aygo can – like all hybrids – get a little raucous at higher speeds, despite new measures to dampen sound such as bonnet insulation and an underbody cover.<\/p>\n
The steering and braking are very responsive. Uneven surfaces do present some challenges in terms of ride comfort but not to a degree that makes it off-putting. As I said, the Aygo is an ideal city car and not a car designed for regular long journeys.<\/p>\n
The Sport version I drove had extras such as heated front seats, satellite navigation, dual-zone air conditioning, a rear camera and 18″ wheels, but it costs just over \u20ac30,000.<\/p>\n
I, for one, would be happy to forgo the extra bells and whistles and opt for the basic entry-level version at \u20ac24,520 because I consider that standard safety package to be the most important part of the deal. That, and the fuel savings.<\/p>\n