Toyota Aygo Review

Small Size, Big Character for City Drivers

Is Toyota’s pocket-sized city car still worth buying after 20 years?

When the original Toyota Aygo arrived in 2005, it entered the city car market with bold promises: funky design, cheap running costs, and Toyota’s rock-solid reliability. Now, more than 20 years on, it still ticks those boxes — and adds a few more. While the Aygo started life as a triplet with the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 107 (later 108), it’s gradually evolved into a characterful little car with its own unique identity.

Small in stature but smartly designed, the Aygo continues to appeal to urban drivers needing something compact, efficient, and unintimidating to run and own.

Pros & cons

  • PExcellent fuel economy and low insurance
  • PPerfect for city driving
  • PRenowned build quality with fewer mechanical issues
  • OVery small luggage capacity, even for a city car
  • OFirm Ride - Can feel harsh over potholes
  • OStruggles on motorways and steep inclines

Exterior Design – Comic-Book Cool

One of the Aygo’s strongest selling points is its quirky, eye-catching design. Later models feature a distinctive “X” motif across the nose, bold colour options, and compact proportions that make it a perfect fit for tight city streets.

Unlike most modern cars that seem to grow with every facelift, the Aygo has stayed true to its tiny footprint — with minimal overhangs, it’s a cinch to park and perfect for weaving through traffic.

Interior & Tech – Simple But Effective

Step inside, and you’ll find a cabin that prioritises usability over flashiness. It’s basic, yes, but it doesn’t feel overly cheap. The gloss black dash inserts add a hint of flair, though they’re magnets for dust and fingerprints.

  • Dashboard: One large dial shows your speed clearly.
  • Infotainment: Higher trims include a 7” touchscreen for radio, navigation, and phone connectivity.
  • Air Con & Climate: Air conditioning is standard on most trims, with climate control on mid-to-upper specs.
  • Connectivity: USB charging comes as standard on newer models.

Rear passengers get their own doors, making access much easier than the old 3-door city cars. However, rear legroom is limited, especially for taller adults, and the boot is quite small, though it can be expanded with split-folding rear seats.

Key stats

 

Model
X-Play, X-Press, X-Trend, X-Cite, X-Clusiv, Aygo JBL Edition (limited), Aygo X (2022–Present successor)

Body type
3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback

Available fuel types
Petrol

Acceleration (0-60 mph)

 

  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i – 14.2s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Ice – 14.2s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Fire – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Fire Multimode – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Move – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Move Multimode – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Mode – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Mode Multimode – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Platinum – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Platinum Multimode – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Go – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Go Multimode – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i + – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i + Multimode – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X-Play – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X-Press – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X-Pure – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X-Trend – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X-Cite – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X-Clusiv – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i JBL Edition – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Limited Edition – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Black – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i White – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Blue – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Red – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X-Style – 13.8s
  • Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X-Wave – 13.8s

Boot space:

  • 168 litres

Number of seats

4

Exterior dimensions (L x W x H)
3,465 mm (L) x 1,615 mm (W) x 1,460 mm (H)

CO₂ emissions:

  • Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2005–2014, Manual): 106–109 g/km
  • Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2005–2014, Automatic): 118–120 g/km
  • Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2014–2018, Manual): 95–97 g/km
  • Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2014–2018, x-shift Auto): 104–106 g/km
  • Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2018–2021, Manual): 93–95 g/km
  • Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2018–2021, x-shift Auto): 107–109 g/km
  • Aygo X 1.0 VVT-i (2022–present, Manual): 109–110 g/km
  • Aygo X 1.0 VVT-i (2022–present, CVT Auto): 109–114 g/km

 

Fuel economy

  • Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2005–2014, Manual): Around 55–57 mpg (combined)

  • Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2005–2014, Automatic): Around 47–49 mpg (combined)

  • Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2014–2018, Manual): Around 67–68 mpg (combined)

  • Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2014–2018, x-shift Auto): Around 59–61 mpg (combined)

  • Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2018–2021, Manual): Around 68–69 mpg (combined)

  • Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2018–2021, x-shift Auto): Around 58–60 mpg (combined)

  • Aygo X 1.0 VVT-i (2022–present, Manual): Around 55–57 mpg (combined)

  • Aygo X 1.0 VVT-i (2022–present, CVT Auto): Around 54–56 mpg (combined)

Insurance group

  •  Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2005–2014): Insurance group 2-5
  • Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2014–2018): Insurance group 3-6
  • Aygo 1.0 VVT-i (2018–2021): Insurance group 4-7
  • Aygo X 1.0 VVT-i (2022–present): Insurance group 6-8
Engine
Options
Insurance
Prices
Driving
Practicality
Issues

Small Engine, Big City Smarts

  • 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine across all models
  • Power ranges from 68 bhp to 71 bhp (post-2018 facelift)
  • 5-speed manual standard; some automatic options available
  • Efficient and ideal for city driving with low emissions

Which Aygo Suits Your Style?

  • Seven trim levels, starting from basic X-play to well-equipped Express
  • Features include 15-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, air conditioning
  • Higher trims add alloy wheels, climate control, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment
  • USB connectivity is standard in most models

Keeping Insurance Costs in Check

  • Insurance groups vary between 2 and 8 depending on model and trim
  • Generally affordable insurance due to small engine and low power
  • Later models and higher trims have slightly higher insurance groups

Affordable City Driving Starts Here

ModelEstimated Used Price Range (GBP)
Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X£3,500 – £6,000
Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X-Play£4,000 – £6,500
Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X-Press£5,000 – £7,500
Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X-Trend£6,000 – £8,500
Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X-Cite£6,500 – £9,000
Aygo 1.0 VVT-i X-Clusiv£6,500 – £9,000
Aygo 1.0 VVT-i JBL Edition£7,000 – £9,500

These prices reflect typical listings from 2015–2022 models as of mid-2025. Prices can vary based on mileage, condition, and dealer location.

Zipping Through Town with Ease

  • Nimble and easy to manoeuvre in urban environments
  • Light and direct steering enhances parking and tight traffic handling
  • Ride can feel firm over potholes, but overall composed body control
  • Engine requires revving for brisk performance, but is sufficient for city use

Compact Yet Surprisingly Clever

  • Compact size with minimal overhangs, ideal for city parking
  • Five-door layout improves rear seat access
  • Rear seats are suitable for short trips, with limited legroom for tall passengers
  • Small boot space expandable with split-fold rear seats

Things to Check Before You Buy

  • Common faults include the wiper motor, the indicator switch, and the O2 sensor
  • Wiper motor replacement can be costly (£600+), check operation carefully
  • Indicator switch known to fail; verify functionality and service history
  • O2 sensor may need replacing; scan service records for past issues

Trim Levels – What to Look For

There are seven trim levels in total, starting with the basic X-Play. Even the entry-level model comes decently equipped, but stepping up to X-Press or higher gets you the real goodies:

  • X-Play: 15” wheels, LED daytime running lights, air con, front electric windows, USB port.
  • X-Press+: Adds alloy wheels, climate control, and the 7” infotainment screen.

This is the trim level we’d recommend — it hits the sweet spot between cost and kit.

Engine & Performance – Simple, Not Sporty

There’s just one engine option, a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit. Originally offering 68 bhp, it was bumped up to 71 bhp in 2018. It’s not fast, but it’s peppy enough for urban driving. If you want more power, the Citroën and Peugeot siblings offer a 1.2-litre alternative with 81 bhp.

  • Fuel economy: Up to 68.9 mpg (claimed).
  • CO₂ emissions: Just 95 g/km, keeping running costs low.
  • Transmission: Mostly 5-speed manuals, though a few automatics are available — rarer and pricier.

The clutch pedal sits high, so it’s worth checking for comfort on a test drive. Gear changes require some work, especially to get the best from the small engine.

Driving Experience – City-Friendly, Firm Ride

As you’d expect, the Aygo excels in town. It’s light, agile, and boasts excellent visibility thanks to large windows.

  • Steering: Light and accurate, ideal for tight parking manoeuvres.
  • Ride quality: On the firmer side, and bigger bumps can be felt inside.
  • Body roll: Well-controlled for such a small, high-riding car.

It’s less suited to motorway driving or long hauls — though it can cope, you’ll hear the engine working hard and feel some road noise creep in.

Reliability & What to Check

Toyota’s reputation for durability shines here, but there are still a few known issues worth watching out for:

  • Wiper motor: A common fault, costing up to £636 to replace.
  • Indicator stalk/switch: Prone to failure, with repairs around £448.
  • O2 sensor issues: May need replacing, costing about £585.

Make sure to check the full service history, and test the indicators and wipers before buying.

Final Verdict – A Dependable Urban Runaround

The Toyota Aygo remains one of the best budget-friendly city cars you can buy. With quirky styling, cheap running costs, and Toyota’s bulletproof reliability, it’s ideal for town drivers, first-time buyers, or anyone wanting no-fuss motoring.

Yes, the boot’s small. And no, it won’t excite driving purists. But in today’s world of high prices and congested cities, the Aygo’s blend of simplicity, efficiency, and charm is hard to beat.