Toyota chose to launch its Aygo city car back in 2005 in the Eternal City of Rome renowned for its awful traffic congestion and for its fearless drivers, and all that honking of horns, writes Trish Whelan. It’s where most cars bear scrapes and dents as badges of honour.
At that launch, we had witnessed an even smaller two-seater Smart car parked on a pedestrian crossing and seemingly getting away with it as nobody paid any attention to it. Anyway, Rome was an inspired choice as we got to drive around the city and even visit The Vatican being able to park in a tiny space on a nearby side street.
Aygo is part of a co-production with PSA Peugeot/Citroen - the Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1 - and all were introduced together at the Geneva Motor Show of that year.
Upgraded, of course, since then, this little Aygo hatchback is a big package in a small parcel. While billed as a four seater, the rear legroom is suitable really only for small adults or for children.
At just 3.45 metres long, Aygo proves its worth with a turning circle of just 10.2 metres, ideal for when you need to make a turn on a narrow street or as we did, fit into a small parking space.
It is offered in 3- and 5-door bodystyles and four grades: x-play (from €14,355), and x-play+ (from €16,010), x-trend (from €17,555), and x-cite (from €17,265 - the review car).
With its eye-catching front design and the choice of external colours, it lets you express your own personality.
My car was certainly a head-turner with its bright purple exterior colour which is unmissable in a car park. The purple was repeated inside on doors, vents, around the gearshift knob and on the upholstery. The interior is inviting and stylish with good quality fit and finish. Large dials are centred around the trip computer and are easy to read. Temperature controls are to hand when you need them. All in all, a smart and stylish environment with comfy seats.
My car came well specced with privacy glass, remote audio controls, Lane Departure warning, Bluetooth, and Cruise Control to name but some. Toyota are big on safety, and Aygo has Toyota Safety Sense which features technologies like Pre-Collision System and Lane Departure Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control among others.
All grades are powered by a 1.0 VVT-i 3-cylinder petrol engine, which is eager to oblige when you press the pedal. Expect around 4.2 L/100kms; and 95g/km C02 (€180 in annual road tax). The five-speed manual gearbox matched the engine well and I thoroughly enjoyed the drive.
However, I found the thickish A-Pillar and the positioning of the side mirror mounts somewhat blocked my view of approaching cars at roundabouts - most likely due to me having to pull my seat forward to get a good driving position. Taller people than me may not even notice this! The steering suited me perfectly, not too light or direct.
The boot is low which allows more luggage capacity for bigger items and my car had a skinny spare below.
Priced from €14,355.
