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These are normally the cheapest as they are the smallest on the market. The mini city cars seduce as much by their price as by their maneuverability and their limited dimensions, which are so appreciated in the city. At their wheel it is even possible to cross France if necessary, the approval of a sedan is of course less. In short, to get from point A to point B and without necessarily matching the image of a low-end and Spartan car, the mini city car is the most affordable solution. The well-motorized versions even show real versatility.
Problem, the anti-pollution standards force the manufacturers to equip all their models with expensive systems to respect them. Mini-city cars are not exempt from this and the extra cost is relatively more difficult for them to bear. Instead of converting them to electric, which many brands have opted for, potentially losing their ability to sustain a long journey, these little thermal city cars just disappear. Some remain, rare representatives of the genre are renewed, such as the Hyundai i10 in 2020. And then Toyota does the same in 2022, but in a different way. The public values SUVs based on their sales figures. So the mini city car of the Japanese giant will be one. So here’s the Aygo released in 2005 and refreshed in 2014, stacked for a third generation and presented this year under the name “Aygo X”.
It’s all in style
Toyota Aygo X (2022) | The photos of our test of the SUV style mini city car+50
Toyota Aygo X (2022)Credit photo – Autonews
The grille of the previous version announced it in a way, forming a large “X” between the headlights and the shield. It disappears, replaced by adventurers’ tricks. The black plastic guards go up on the body, from the front bumper to the side sills through the wheel arches. The ground clearance has been increased by 11 mm to 14.6 cm and the rims are large. Standard from 17 inch, 18 inch on the high “Collection” finish. With a height of 1.51 m, it is not much higher than the previous one (1.46 m), but it progresses more clearly in length and width, at 3.70 m (+ 23.5 cm) and 1.74 m respectively (+12.5cm). The front becomes more vertical, the fenders are widened, the style is completely new. The rear section, on the other hand, is much closer to its predecessor, with pointed vertical lights, which are very similar, while the roof takes on the bumpiness of the old Aygo, even more pronounced on the new one. The parallel with the world of SUVs is obvious, although essentially it doesn’t change categories and remains an authentic mini-city car.
More gain in width than in length inside
Toyota Aygo X (2022) | The photos of our test of the SUV style mini city car+50
Toyota Aygo X (2022)Credit photo – Autonews
The height should give it a high riding position. With 5.5 cm more at the height of the seat, the driver actually sits a bit higher but remains fairly close to the road. Again, not enough to make a huge difference to a conventional mini city car. The width gain is more noticeable and you don’t feel cramped with two occupants side by side. If the wheelbase increases by 9 cm, the rear seats do not become exceptionally spacious. The knees have a good chance of sinking into the foam of the front seat backs. The space is otherwise quite decent, although the roof arches limit headroom to the side and create a feeling of constriction, with windows positioned further forward. These have a compass opening. The cutout of the doors bypasses them, as does the imposing wheel arch. So sitting in the back means stepping over it and sliding into the narrow opening of the door. The two rear seats are more suitable for children.
The trunk also has a reduced opening but contains 231 liters (+63 l.) including the space under the floor. The top version, which can receive a subwoofer, can lose about forty liters of capacity. Without this equipment, the volume is in the good average, but it does not revolutionize the genre.
The adventurer spirit is not particularly perceptible inside, with nice shapes nonetheless. The central screen (7″, 8″ or 9″ depending on the finish) is embedded in an oval whole that is three times as large. The color can brighten up the furniture, in harmony with the body color. The equipment determines the degree of cheerfulness , since the first two are only available in white (standard), gray or black, the other four metallic colors (red, blue, khaki green, beige) replace them of the third finish, associated with a black roof and rear. placed in the center of the speedometer. In color and 4.2 “diagonally, it integrates various information and settings menus for the computer dashboard and driving aids. Operated by the many buttons on the steering wheel, it’s difficult to find your way around quickly, with a certain lack of legibility.
A good base
Toyota Aygo X (2022) | The photos of our test of the SUV style mini city car+50
Toyota Aygo X (2022)Credit photo – Autonews
One of the reasons for its growth is the use of the TNGA-B platform, common to the higher-end Yaris, with which it shares almost half of its parts. She takes the opportunity to regain the full range of driver aids, in series from the entry level. There are the now common emergency anti-collision systems, automatic high beam management, road sign reading and, above all, level 2 autonomous driving, with adaptive cruise control and lane keeping. A rare item in the category, although it is not a determining factor for urban use.
Highways are not his favorite terrain, with a single 1.0 naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine being offered in the catalog. With 72 hp and 93 Nm of torque, it is short of breath when accelerating, not really helped by a very long (five-speed) gear lever. In return, it gets good performance in terms of consumption. It seems easy to maintain between 5 l. and 6 l./100 km, regardless of driving style.
However, if the hybridization, dear to Toyota and present on the Yaris, is not offered on the Aygo X, unaffected by the fine, so as not to weigh down the already beautiful bill, it is possible to have a variable transmission choose to continue. In addition to the announced increase in consumption, it claims a surplus of € 1,000 and finds its interest only in the absence of reports to pass on. Paddles on the handlebars are still present to simulate them. In any case, it still suffers from this typical feeling of perpetual slip when accelerating, with the engine over-revving at the slightest request. The gear changes should therefore be done as gradually as possible by driving with the utmost care, the ideal being never having to leave the city so as not to disrupt the fun. Too bad, while the small three-cylinder block in combination with the manual gearbox produces a sound with sporty accents.
The chassis more than lives up to the power. It will be hard to blame him. This is not his calling, but he shows real dynamism, a guarantee of safety. Aided by an empty weight under the ton. The comfort is relatively firm but the large diameter wheels (18 inches for our copy) do not stand in the way of good filtration. And for traction, the turning circle is very short, at 4.7 meters when a Twingo III (drive) drops to 4.3 metres. The reversing camera comes standard from the second trim level.
Segment A at all costs
Toyota Aygo X (2022) | The photos of our test of the SUV style mini city car+50
Toyota Aygo X (2022)Credit photo – Autonews
Aside from the rear camera, this second trim level is a minimum to avoid a dull cabin, without any insert that contrasts with the black plastic that composes it entirely, replacing the central multimedia screen with a much less open storage aesthetic and the height adjustment driver’s seat, the electrical adjustment of the mirrors or the presence of the digital rev counter. Not that these absences are insurmountable for a mini city car, but the Toyota Aygo X wants to relaunch itself in this “A” segment by building a trendy image and following the wave of SUVs to make its price increase more acceptable . rates, it would be a shame to settle for a minimalistic presentation.
Especially since the first price is set at €15,990, it is expensive to pay for the size. The “Dynamic” top finish requires €1,000 more which is the same amount to upgrade to the “Design” level and its sparkling colors. Even if that means paying the high price, you might as well go to the end of the process and demand what makes the model’s charm. The step is slightly higher to access the “Collection” finish, from €19,690, including the 9″ screen, 18″ wheels, hands-free access, navigation, full LED headlights or automatic air conditioning. There is even a convertible version with a sliding roof. The “Air Limited” launch edition with this electric opening and some orange inserts on the bodywork is billed at €22,990.
Opposite the Aygo X we find the Suzuki Ignis, in off-road style, more rectangular, higher (1.61 m) but the same size (3.70 m long). Its ground clearance of 18cm makes it a more authentic mini city SUV. Features that also make it more livable, with a roomier boot (260 litres) and a neater entry-level presentation, yet displayed at a slightly lower price, starting at £15,390.
Otherwise, there is the choice of a classic mini city car for much more reasonable prices. Thus, the very homogeneous Hyundai i10 (3.67 m) starts from € 12,240 with a wider range of petrol engines, larger and more accessible rear seats (4 or 5 depending on the finish), a luggage compartment of 252 liters, a cabin of serious construction , a chassis that is both comfortable and just as safe. The top-end finishes (Creative or N Line) cost around €16,000, which is where Toyota’s price list begins.
There are therefore different ways to consider the mini city car category. Staying in this segment means standing out and possibly trying out new formulas. The attempt to convert to an SUV – always accompanied by a price increase for a base of comparable size, regardless of the segment concerned – could then present an interesting opportunity for the brand, generating potentially higher margins, with less risk of to sell. Make no mistake in the case of this Toyota, the extra cost has no real justification other than attractive style and a significant amount of driver aids. Otherwise, the Aygo X would have offered no less without its miniature SUV look.
In brief
A third generation Aygo and in great evolution. Toyota’s mini city car takes on volume and (very slightly) height to follow the SUV trend, becoming “Aygo X” in the process. A mix of genres to gain style and, probably, attractiveness. It will take a lot to justify prices that have also increased in volume.
