Road Review: Toyota Aygo X-Play 2016

We are driving the top of the range Toyota Aygo X-play in South Africa – that means we’ve rummaged around for another R1000 and bought the Toyota Aygo X-Play which comes with contrasting paint and leather steering wheel, gearknob combo. Of the two models in the range, this is the one you want and, for a change can actually afford. Sign us up.

The Aygo is Toyota’s lowest price point, exchanging some space and a less powerful engine for a price that’s around R10 000 cheaper than a Toyota Etios. The Aygo has hints of (big brother) Lexus in the front grille and pushes the design envelope to a point that might get the brand’s loyal customers in a twist.

In attendance are funky and wacky elements that can polarise opinion but rather that than dull features that immediately categorise it as a rental car. The 14-inch wheels are suitable only for a small number of kilowatts but the Aygo avoids that top-heaviness that usually manifests itself through compact wheelbases. Panels are taut with black contrasting keeping the eye moving back and forth without being able to settle on just one design element.

Pennywise the Toyota Aygo omits a few comfort items like multifunction steering you can only tilt it but no adjust the reach but during our test these were the only annoyances. Yes the gearlever is a bit far back and you do bump your elbow on the seat selecting 2^nd and 4^th gear but that can be easily put down to the car’s physical constraints.

But the Aygo has a few arrows stacked in its quiver including a USB port and a slick touchscreen that bears some resemblance to your smartphone. Toyota’s experience in building small cars is evident because it follows the rulebook with dark fabrics and deceptive use of space. Switches and dials are as logically positioned as they are sturdy and move with pleasing resistance. The seats appear simple and you have visions of sliding around the first time you tackle a corner but yet they hug and cushion well beyond their thin design.

You won’t often be able to try out the full force of the brakes because the Aygo’s 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine seldom warrants them. All too often I found myself in the fast lane and being overtaken by a horde of angry motorists undercutting me. The reef altitude, coupled to an aircon blowing in vain to Johannesburg’s sweltering heat, is a deadly combination for a small normally aspirated engine not spoilt for low down power. A figure of 7.1l/100km shows how hard I drove it to keep apace.

A KIA Picanto of equal size performs better and the slightly bigger Suzuki 1.2-litre blows them both into the weeds for nearly the same money. If the Toyota Aygo just came with a sprinkle of more torque at lower rpm we’d highly recommend it but Toyota’s smallest engine is too insipid for our liking. We’d rather buy the less sexy but roomier and more powerful Etios for very little more spend.

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