ROAD TEST: Toyota Aygo X-Play Black 1.0
By: Denis Droppa
Johannesburg - Go directly to the comparison chart at the bottom of this road test and you’ll see just how competitive this corner of the market is.
It’s a dog-eat-dog world for small A-segment budget hatchbacks competing in the R130 000 to R150 000 bracket, especially as it’s such a price-sensitive sector that vies for the attention of many first-time car buyers.
Scroll through the list and the Aygo doesn’t at first sight seem to rate too well on value-for-money with its relatively humble power and torque outputs for the price. You also have to pay extra to buy a service plan, where some similarly-priced rivals come standard with one.
But the coveted Toyota badge still resonates with a lot of people who are willing to pay a premium for the brand’s good reputation and perceived peace-of-mind.
The Aygo is also pretty highly specced and includes standard aircon which, for instance, is absent in the cheaper Renault Sandero Expression.
MAKES A STATEMENT
There’s also the styling factor, and young drivers looking to make a fashion statement won’t have to worry about blending into the scenery with this tiny Toyota. The second-generation Aygo makes a bold statement with its large X-shaped motif on the nose, which extends like a giant “this marks the spot” all the way up to the A-pillars and down to the edges of the front bumper. It really brings out the Aygo’s party animal side.
The standard Aygo retails for R138 900 but an extra R1 000 buys you the X-Play derivative which comes with a contrasting roof colour, metallic-look trim on the fascia, and leather-clad steering wheel and gearlever.
Beneath that funky garb is a little city car that’s stuffed with a lot of gadgetry, including a first-in-class touchscreen infotainment system. This appealingly-styled tablet-like interface is easy to use and controls the audio and phone functions, and connects to your phone or music device by either USB, aux or Bluetooth.
Standard kit in all Aygo versions includes remote central locking, front power windows, electric power steering, electric mirrors, and aircon, while range-wide safety comprises front and side airbags and ABS brakes.
TIGHT ON SPACE
Cabin space in Toyota’s little city car is predictably tight and adult passengers will find themselves squashed uncomfortably in the back seat, unless the front occupants move forward and press their knees up against the dash. The boot’s tiny too and won’t take much more than a couple of hand-luggage bags standing upright. The rear seats flip down in a 50/50 split to cater for those more intense shopping expeditions, however. Located in the boot floor is a space-saver tyre.
Behind that X-grille is the same 1-litre three-cylinder engine that powered the first-generation Aygo, with outputs ever-so-slightly boosted by 1kW and 2Nm.
There’s enough power to make this flyweight car scurry efficiently through city streets, and the Aygo has a zippy nature and light steering that makes it feel right at home in the urban environment. At just over 3.4 metres long, and with great visibility through its large windows, it’s also absurdly easy to park.
MADE FOR CITY DRIVING
On the open road the engine’s humble power is more apparent. The car’s able to maintain the 120km/h speed limit on slight uphills, and a lot more on the straights, but switching on the aircon has a major power-sapping effect that makes it feel like you’ve left the handbrake on. The lightweight car also gets bullied by crosswinds, and although it can be roped in for longer trips the city is clearly its happy place. Fuel consumption averaged a very economical 5.6 litres per 100km, against Toyota’s claim of 4.4 litres.
The ride’s a little choppy due to the very short wheelbase, but it’s not an uncomfortable car and the seats are fairly comfy and supportive too. There’s not enough power to properly exploit the chassis but the handling’s clean and doesn’t throw any nasty surprises at a novice driver, and the ABS-assisted brakes arrest speed efficiently.
The thin doors close with a tinny thunk but the car achieved a very creditable four out of five stars in its EuroNcap crash test, so the apparently flimsy feel doesn’t seem to affect safety.
VERDICT
Funky styling (it has that ... ahem .... X-factor), good spec levels, and that cool tablet-like touchscreen make the Aygo more than just a run of the mill city car, but one with a distinct coolness factor.
Its price is a little out of sync with its power output though, and there are cars out there with more spring in their step for similar money.
AYGO VS ITS RIVALS:
(Click car names for more info)
Toyota Aygo X-Play Black 1.0
51kW/95Nm - 3yr/100 000km warranty, optional service plan - R139 900
60kW/108Nm - 5yr/120 000km warranty, optional service plan - R136 200
51kW/96Nm - 3yr/100 000km warranty, optional service plan - R149 900
65kW/109Nm - 3yr/100 000km warranty, 2-year/30 000km service plan - R137 500
50kW/99Nm - 5yr/150 000km warranty, no service plan, no ABS - R137 400
51kW/94Nm - 5yr/150 000km warranty, optional service plan, no ABS - R144 995
50kW/93Nm - 3yr/100 000km warranty, 5yr/60 000km maintenance plan - R144 000
66kW/135Nm - 5yr/150 000km warranty, 2yr/30 000km service plan - R130 900
Renault Sandero turbo Dynamique
66kW/135Nm - 5yr/150 000km warranty, 2yr/30 000km service plan - R154 900
63kW/113Nm - 3yr/100 000km warranty, 2yr/30 000km service plan - R141 400
55kW/95Nm - 3yr/120 000km warranty, optional service plan - R140 000
* Unless otherwise stated all vehicles in this list are equipped with ABS anti-lock brakes
Star Motoring