Toyota Aygo X GR Sport hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

Sometimes in this industry, after many years of road testing, you can be genuinely surprised. Toyota knows a thing or two about hybrids – the Prius broke the mould for economy and reliability, which is why it remains the taxi of choice for many.

But the smaller Aygo X Hybrid also broke new ground as the first full hybrid city car when it launched this year and its economy is remarkable

Starting at just over £21k, it’s hardly a budget motor in its segment, but it’s a full hybrid and feels upmarket in several areas. UK model range and pricing: Icon £21,595, Design £23,695, Excel £26,045, and the GR Sport tested here at £26,895. 

Powertrain and efficiency

The old 1.0-litre petrol unit is gone, replaced by a 1.5-litre full hybrid that adds 43bhp – total system power is now 114bhp. Acceleration is brisk: 0-60mph in just over nine seconds, which is plenty quick enough for most situations. 

Toyota claims class-leading fuel economy of 72.4–74.3mpg and CO₂ emissions of 87g/km (WLTP) – the lowest of any non-plug-in car on sale. That means easy access to low-emission zones and low running costs. Over three days, I averaged over 75mpg, which only dropped closer to 70mpg after a long motorway run.

Equipment levels 

All models come well equipped. Icon has 17-inch alloys, a seven-inch driver display, automatic air conditioning, Toyota Safety Sense, and a nine-inch touchscreen.

Design adds 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, push-button start, a wireless charger, an electronic parking brake, extra noise reduction, and bi-tone paint. Excel adds a 10.5-inch Smart Connect system, front and rear parking sensors, Smart Entry, and heated seats.

The GR Sport tested here gets sports-tuned suspension, unique 18-inch alloys, bi-tone+ paint with a black bonnet, and a more upmarket interior.

Exterior design

This is one of the most eye-catching small cars around, especially in GR Sport form. The test car had a two-tone scheme with a black roof and bonnet, and it attracted unusual attention. Sitting low, it also has a striking black grille, flared black wheel arches, and smart alloy wheels. 

A coloured lower grille insert emphasises the low centre of gravity. Full LED lights are fitted, and the turn indicators have been moved to the door mirrors.

Interior space and technology

It’s a small car – no point pretending otherwise – but the clever layout (wheels pushed to each corner, lowered suspension) gives an impression of more space, and it can fit four adults. The GR Sport adds a black-and-grey theme with GR logo embroidery and sports-style front seats. Front headroom and legroom are fine, though the rear is tighter.

The cabin is laid out neatly and logically – some might say slightly dated – but physical buttons and rotary controls are a breath of fresh air compared to overcomplicated touchscreens with endless bings, bongs and verbal alerts. 

Another clever touch: the two battery stacks sit lengthways under the rear seats. The auxiliary battery has been moved to the boot without shrinking the 231-litre load space – just as well, because it’s tiny and anything less would be a problem.

On the road

Toyota says the suspension, brakes and steering have been retuned for a lighter feel and more agility, with a turning radius under five metres. Around town, it’s excellent, although the sports-tuned suspension does make the ride slightly harsher over road imperfections. It can get noisy on some motorway surfaces – but this isn’t really a motorway cruiser.

Advanced safety and driver assistant

The Aygo includes Toyota Safety Sense. Predictive Efficient Drive learns your driving behaviour and uses cloud navigation to optimise battery charging.

Predictive State of Charge Control manages battery levels for downhill recovery or traffic jams, allowing longer all-electric running at low speeds.

The Pre-Collision System now detects pedestrians, cyclists and crossing traffic, and Emergency Steering Assist aids stability during evasive manoeuvres. Full-Range Adaptive Cruise Control includes Overtake Protection and Support, while Lane Trace Assist, Lane Centring and a speed limiter add further security.

Warranty and sustainability

The car comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, extendable to 10 years/100,000 miles if regularly serviced by Toyota.

Verdict

It’s a pricey city car at over £21k for starters, but it’s a full hybrid and has plenty of equipment. It can be noisy on the motorway and the boot is tiny. But the 75-odd mpg is real, the turning circle is brilliant for the city. The GR Sport is even more pricey, but it looks the real deal.

Factfile

Toyota Aygo X GR Sport hybrid

• Price: £26,895
• Mechanical:  116 PS, 1,490cc three-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor, driving the front wheels. via CVT transmission
• Max speed: 107mph
• 0 to 62mph: 9.2 sec
• Combined mpg: 72-74 mpg
• Insurance group: 13-16
• CO2 emissions: 87g/km
• BiK rating: 23%
• Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles
• Overall rating (out of 5): 4.7