Tag Archives: Toyota

City cars, Electric/hybrid, Motoring, Toyota

Aygo Hybrid a game changer for city cars

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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
electric, Motoring, SUV

Aircraft-inspired Chinese electric SUV takes flight

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Changan Deepal S05

By Bill McCarthy

With new brands seeming to appear in the UK market almost monthly, catching the eye is essential. Chinese carmaker Changan has launched two models in just over six months, the latest, the Deepal S05, using aircraft-inspired design to deliver that eye-catching styling.

Changan may be unfamiliar to most British drivers, but the company has been manufacturing cars in China for over 40 years and has operated a research and development facility in Birmingham for 11 years. The brand has sold more than 30 million vehicles worldwide.

The brand’s first offering last autumn was the Deepal S07, which has now been followed by the S05 as a smaller second model.

The carmaker’s UK managing director, Nick Thomas, says the Birmingham facility plays a crucial role in developing models for the UK and Europe—among the most demanding markets globally. As a result, the S05 has been tested and tuned specifically for UK roads and regulations.

These capabilities were demonstrated during a testing session on an airport runway, where the car was put through its handling, steering, and braking paces on three slalom courses, performing well throughout. It was also taken on a more extensive road test.

Styling and specifications

The S05 is offered as a single model in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, priced from £37,990 for the RWD version and £39,990 for the AWD variant. The only optional extras at launch are a panoramic glass roof and a retractable towbar. As a newcomer still untested in the UK, the brand offers a class-leading seven-year/100,000-mile car warranty and an eight-year/124,000-mile battery warranty for peace of mind.

While still a significant sum, the newcomer offers plenty of value with a standard vegan leather interior and equipment typically found in high-end premium vehicles. The usual goodies you would expect at this price are present, including a 14-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 50W smartphone wireless charger, and keyless entry.

The designers have opted for an aircraft-inspired look across both exterior and interior. At the front, slim LED daytime running lights, aircraft-inspired headlights, and a bumper that incorporates a “flying wing” look. This aerospace theme continues at the rear with a V-shaped spoiler with an aircraft-inspired silhouette and an illuminated logo.

It also includes flush-mounted, pop-out electric door handles— though these can feel a bit gimmicky and may not be to everyone’s taste.

Wraparound cockpit

Inside, the S05 offers a less-is-more look. The premium feel is highlighted by body-hugging, heated and ventilated vegan leather front seats.

The centrepiece is a 15.4-inch central rotating high-definition touchscreen, the vehicle’s control hub for connectivity, infotainment, navigation, and safety features.

The screen can swing 15 degrees towards the driver or front passenger, allowing easy glances while on the move. Physical knobs and buttons are in short supply, but key controls still require a physical interaction from the driver.

An augmented reality head-up display projects key information onto the windscreen. Additionally, the voice and gesture control is among the easiest I have used, helping the driver stay focused on the road.

Performance and range

A road test through the Cotswolds revealed a satisfying ride, handling, and agility. Acceleration is brisk and the cabin quiet, thanks to extensive soundproofing. The well-weighted steering offers confident, nimble feedback.

The rear-wheel-drive model delivers 200 kW (268 bhp), sprinting from 0-62 mph in 7.5 seconds with over 300 miles of range. The all-wheel-drive version adds an extra motor on the front axle, boosting total output to 320 kW (429 bhp), cutting the 0-62 time to just 5.5 seconds. 

Practicality and space

Despite its compact size, the S05 is a surprisingly practical choice for families. Fold the seats down, and you get up to 1,250 litres of load space—plenty of room for pushchairs, shopping, or holiday luggage. Like its bigger brother, the S05 comes with a handy front boot (“frunk”) for storing charging cables or keeping muddy shoes away from the main cabin, and it features a drainage hole for wet items.

It also includes vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, so you can power appliances directly from the car—ideal for camping or outdoor equipment. For towing, there is an optional retractable towbar that can pull up to 1,600 kg. With all this extra stowage space, the S05 makes everyday family life easier—whether it’s the school run or a weekend away.

Safety and ADAS

Both models share the same safety credentials. The S05 achieves a five-star Euro NCAP rating, underpinned by a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) designed to reduce fatigue and prevent incidents.

The Deepal S05 comes well equipped with advanced driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control with lane centring for motorways, a 360-degree camera with parking aids for city driving, and comprehensive safety systems like AEB, collision warnings, and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring.

Verdict

The Deepal S05 offers a striking design and premium interior. It drives well, offers surprising practicality for its size, and the seven-year warranty provides peace of mind. However, the flush door handles that pop out feel gimmicky, and the heavy reliance on the touchscreen for controls won’t suit everyone. Still, for those seeking an electric SUV that delivers genuine value, the S05 is well worth a look.