The next generation of Toyota Aygo has arrived on our shores and we headed to Durban to get a taste of the little city slicker.

The Toyota Aygo is a funky little A segment city slickerthat is built in partnership with the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107. It aims to bring costs down, and provide an uncomplicated and reliable city vehicle. A new version has just been launched now that the segment is starting to show a little more life with the entrance of Volkswagen’s up! We were at the launch in Durban as the cars arrived off the container to get a first spin in them.

Funky style

The Aygo aims at the buyer looking for something a bit more stylish than a standard A to B shuffler. The front end is particularly prominent with a massive X streaking across its nose. Interestingly Toyota has gone with the slogan “make your mark in the new Aygo”. Maybe it could team up with the electoral commission for the next municipal elections and promote some synergy. Back to the car, the rear is maybe not as big a hit as the front, but it has its own look and overall it should have appeal to the youngsters.

The two-tone colour is also a stylish new addition to the range. The roof can be ordered in black or silver to contrast with the body colour.

The interior doesn’t carry through on the funky design and feels functional rather than stylish. The centre-mounted touchscreen is easy to use and an upmarket addition to the segment. Everything inside works with perfect Toyota precision and it doesn’t rattle or shake when you get up to speed. The ventilation system could be better as you only have two adjustable vents in the vehicle. The middle ventilation shaft sits behind the touchscreen and fires air at the roof.

Three-cylinder engine

The engine carries over from the previous generation Aygo, but Toyota says it has managed to improve the fuel economy figure. The 1-litre engine is good for 51 kW and 95 Nm of torque with a claimed fuel consumption figure of 4.4L/100km. It’s also good for a sub 15-second 0-100kph time that should keep you in touch with traffic.

The clutch is extremely light and takes some getting used to. Finding the bite point took some time and a few drivers found their resting foot would often drag the clutch. Just something to be aware of. The Aygo does require some revs to get it off the mark but the five-speed manual ‘box is a slick-shifter and helps keep the engine on the boil.

Ride and drive

While trudging through the traffic of Durban central, the Aygo showed its new party piece. The ride is exceptional, even over some nasty roadworks and aggressive speedbumps it stayed settled. The suspension soaked up the bumps impressively and the interior held together without flinching. The steering is well-weighted and thankfully doesn’t feel as over-assisted as some of the other Toyotas in the range.

Toyota Aygo Range

The standard Aygo comes well specced, but doesn’t come with a two-tone roof. It doesn’t get leather on the steering wheel or gear lever either. It does get Bluetooth, a 12V socket and a USB port as standard. Safety wise all models get ABS with brake assist as well as dual front and side airbags.

The Aygo X-Play Silver and X-Play Black get the two-tone colour options as well as the added leather bits in the interior.

Toyota Aygo Pricing

Aygo 1.0 – R 138 900

Aygo X-play Black 1.0 – R139 900

Aygo X-play Silver 1.0 – R 139900

The Aygo comes standard with a 3-year/100000km warranty but a service plan is optional. All customers who buy an Aygo before the end of the year will get a free service plan included in the sale price.