First drive: Facelifted Toyota Aygo offers some welcome improvements
Toyota has given its smallest model a facelift. Tom Wiltshire flew to Copenhagen to see how the new Aygo fared
What is it?
What’s new?
The old ‘X’ styling motif has been toned down, with the interchangeable coloured panel now replaced with a simpler ‘face’, similar to the rest of the Toyota range. It’s flanked by new headlights with LED daytime running lights – mirrored by LED features in the tail lights – and bolstered with two eye-catching exterior colours: Blue Burst and Magenta Fizz.
Inside, there are few obvious changes, though the old infotainment system has been replaced with a more modern Pioneer head unit incorporating Android Auto.
Under the skin there has been a raft of alterations, with minor improvements to the engine and serious work on reducing noise, vibration and harshness.
What’s under the bonnet?
What’s it like to drive?
How does it look?
Before this facelift, the Aygo took the inspiration for its bold design from Japanese manga comics. The revisions tone things down rather, making for a car that’s less divisive but also more anonymous.
Overall, it’s a smart-looking little thing though, with eye-catching LED daytime running lights and a subtler ‘X’ design for the grille. The rear styling has remained the same, but we like the all-glass hatch and continuation of the ‘X’ theme.
Though basic models do look rather, well, basic, step up the range to mid-spec x-play or above and you get bolder alloy wheels plus personalisation options for the front spoiler lip and the panels below the headlights.