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Toyota Aygo X in the A-segment

Virtually every automaker is saying goodbye to the A-segment. And that is not at all surprising. A combination of super-strict emissions regulations from the European Union and profit margins that are too small makes it damned hard for the car manufacturer to earn any euros, let alone deliver a price-worthy product to the consumer that also meets all emissions standards. The Toyota Aygo X is a brand new car in the A-segment, hence this Toyota Aygo X review. So why has Toyota managed what other manufacturers cannot?

Average CO2 emissions

Simple: on paper, Toyota is in surprisingly good shape. Early bets on hybrid powertrains are now paying off tremendously, as the car brand’s average CO2 emissions are nice and low. What do we say: lower than any other automaker that did not start with electric cars. That gives breathing room to still do cool things, like releasing a GR Yaris or GR Supra.

Toyota Aygo X review 2022 – AutoRAI TV

Not a hybrid, but a normal gasoline engine

But Toyota can still develop an A-segment car for this reason without the brand having to worry too much about the car’s CO2 emissions. Hybrid technology in an A-segment car is still too expensive. It can be done, but in the A-segment, every euro counts, so people don’t want to pay too much. Hence, the new Toyota Aygo X features the same powertrain as the previous Aygo: a 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine, without a turbocharger. Come back to it in detail in this Toyota Aygo X review.

The A segment under the microscope

First, let’s take a look at the A-segment itself. After all, what is still available and what has all disappeared? Cars like the Peugeot 108, Citroën C1, Skoda Citigo, Seat Mii, Ford Ka+, Opel Karl and Suzuki Celerio have all disappeared from the A-segment. Does that leave anything? Yes you do. The Volkswagen Up, Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric, Mitsubishi Space Star, Suzuki Ignis, Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, Fiat 500 and so this Toyota Aygo X are still available.

Cooperation in A-segment with Peugeot and Citroën over

Toyota previously collaborated with Peugeot and Citroën. In fact, the C1, 108 and Aygo formed a triptych. But now that the two French automakers have dropped out, Toyota is moving forward on its own. Toyota has looked closely at the current market. This suggests that SUVs are still extremely popular. Not surprisingly, the Aygo X has crossover styling. The Suzuki Ignis is still closest in concept to the Aygo X, as this Suzuki is also a crossover.

What does a Toyota Aygo X cost?

As of January 1, 2023, the Toyota Aygo X will be available starting at 17,995 euros, but you can actually forget about that price for the base version right away because the Aygo X is in no way the car it really should be by then. The steering wheel, for example, is made of urethane. And where more expensive versions have a touchscreen, the base version has a large hole with radio prep. That says it all.

Toyota Aygo X Play is the minimum

Only from the second trim level – the Aygo X Play costing €19,595 or €21,550 with CVT automatic transmission – do you get things like a USB connection, a 7-inch Toyota Touch2 multimedia system and radio with DAB+ and Bluetooth. Apple Carplay and Android Auto are wired in this case. So at a minimum, go for this version. Not only pleasant for yourself, but also for the second owner.

Aygo X Envy and Premium

A wireless version of Apple Carplay and Android Auto is also available, but then you have to invest in an Aygo X Envy or Premium. Those cost 23,595 euros and 25,395 euros, respectively. The Envy and Premium also have the 9-inch media system Toyota Smart Connect. By the way, these versions are fully loaded with things you would never have expected in an A-segment car until recently.

Rich equipment

Automatic air conditioning, a wireless induction charger for smartphones, front seat heating, adaptive cruise control, fancy window trim, colors on the dashboard and so on. On the Envy and Premium, you still have to pay extra for a convertible roof. That costs an additional 1,295 euros. Realize then that in the case of the Premium, the counter already stands at almost 27,000 euros.

For that money, you also have a base version of the Toyota Yaris Cross. A lot of money, but it doesn’t really scare us anymore. Everything has become expensive, including a car in the A segment. The days of spotty, small cars are over. You can easily pay over 20,000 euros for an A-segment car with some equipment. This Aygo X is no exception.

Toyota Aygo X Limited

The one in this Toyota Aygo X review is a Limited version. It is no longer being sold because it is sold out. Still, this version does give a good idea of what is possible with this Toyota, as you can personalize it extensively and equip it very richly. Also with these fun orange details. All well and good, but of course you want to know what does come standard on an Aygo X.

Basic equipment Toyota Aygo X

In the base version, you can expect the following equipment: front power windows, cup holders, black seat upholstery, audio preparation with two speakers, a 4.2-inch multi info instrument cluster and manual air conditioning. Notable is the very rich safety equipment that is already present even on the base version. Under the name Toyota Safety Sense 2, Toyota bundles systems such as: Automatic High Beam (automatic high and low beam switching), Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Trace Assist, Pre-Collision System with cyclist (day) and pedestrian (day+night) detection and finally: Road Sign Assist (traffic sign recognition).

A good overall package?

The Toyota Aygo X makes good sense of the impact of certain choices made by an automaker. For example, if you invest in rich safety equipment, you have to make some concessions here and there to keep the price somewhat attractive. In the Aygo X, this can be seen in the short seats of seats, the hard and rather short rear seat and a steering column that is not adjustable in depth, but only in height. What else stands out? Thick A- and C-pillars making all-round visibility somewhat limited. This is offset by kekke design. The Toyota Smart Connect with 9-inch infotainment system works fine, but does have a long startup time. So give the system some time to rev up first. Once the system is up to speed, everything works smoothly.

What’s great about the Toyota Aygo X?

So what’s nice about the Toyota Agyo X? Well, for example, it is very nice that the adaptive part of the cruise control is disengageable at the push of a button. A lot of other car brands could learn from that. The ergonomics are also fat. Everything is easy to find. The seat heater buttons are somewhat hidden under the dash, though. Don’t forget to turn them off, either, because they don’t turn off automatically. The biggest plus of the Aygo X is not only pleasant suspension, but especially the fact that it is child’s play to drive very economically.

Three-cylinder gasoline engine

You might not expect the latter, since you have to put the atmospheric three-cylinder gasoline engine to work quite a bit to get the car up to the desired pace. We already know the three-pitter from the previous Toyota Aygo. That one weighed 905 kilograms roadworthy. This Aygo X weighs 1,015 kilograms roadworthy. That’s a difference of 110 kilograms. Engine output has remained the same as the previous Aygo. That directly explains why you have to accelerate briskly to keep the momentum going.

Performance

So what are we talking about? Under the hood is a 1.0-liter VVT-i three-cylinder with 72 hp. This power is available at 6,000 rpm. From 4,400 rpm, 93 Nm is available. So you have to rev considerably to bring the peekaa’s and newton meters to life. The Aygo X’s top speed comes out to 158 km/h and the 0-100 time takes 10.9 seconds. Nevertheless, the average consumption remains nicely favorable, because even with vigorous acceleration you record 1:20 with two fingers in the nose, or even more favorable: for example, 1:25. On a full fuel tank, you can easily drive 550 kilometers.

Downshifting necessary

Sometimes downshifting is necessary due to lack of torque and power. Fortunately, the five-speed manual transmission lends a hand. It shifts accurately and has a fairly large gear lever that makes your hand fall directly on it. Per gear, this Toyota does have a very long drive, hence the advice to downshift every now and then for an overtaking or acceleration session on the highway’s acceleration lane. Pleasant meeting: such a three-cylinder sounds quite sporty, so revving is not a punishment. You also hear it quite well due to limited sound insulation. Again: you have to realize that you are shopping in the A-segment, a segment that has been under extreme pressure for years and where automakers have had to make concessions.

Finally, a few good-to-knows about the Toyota Aygo X. Luggage compartment capacity to the top of the backrest with rear seats up is 231 liters, but not if you buy the Envy or Premium. Those have 189 liters. That’s because of a pleasant-sounding JBL audio system with 4 speakers and a subwoofer. That one gobbles up some space. The turning radius of this Toyota is limited. From curb to curb, the Aygo X needs only 9.4 meters. This makes the car very agile in town or during street journeys.

Guarantee

A strong point of Toyota is that on this Aygo X – as on any other Toyota – you benefit from a 10-year or 200,000 km warranty when serviced by a Toyota dealer or authorized repairer in the Netherlands. And that’s pretty special. With this, Toyota even surpasses Kia with a 7-year warranty on the Picanto.

Conclusion Toyota Aygo X review

So is the Aygo X the best car in the A-segment? In any case, it is at the top not only in terms of overall package but also in terms of price. He is not cheap. On the other hand, a compact crossover in the A-segment is quite rare. There is really only one alternative: the Suzuki Ignis. It comes starting at 18,985 euros. You then immediately get a 1.2 mild-hybrid powertrain with 83 hp and 107 Nm. In addition, the Ignis is about 100 kilograms lighter than the Aygo X, making it a smoother car to drive.

Secretly, that Suzuki drives nicer too, but the Toyota Aygo X is the more mature car. Well built, depending on version extremely richly equipped and with very pleasant handling. But you do make some concessions. The engine lacks some power, the rear seat is extremely cramped for adults, the same goes for rear entry. The question is whether that matters, since 95 percent of the time you drive the car alone. In any case, Toyota deserves credit for staying true to the A-segment. A fat 8 as a final grade is the result.