The Toyota Aygo was first launched in 2005 and was a success – its funky looks, ultra-low running costs, excellent reliability and appeal to young drivers were all factors in that. It remains a decent used choice and there are some very cheap examples available on the used market of the first-generation car.
The second-generation model took the car’s theme and ran with it. Even more dramatic looks added appeal, and thanks to the ongoing agreement between Toyota, Citroen and Peugeot (for the Aygo, C1 and 108 respectively to share a platform) the Mk2 Aygo was as well developed as the first. It was also fitted with more safety kit, was quieter and less cheap-feeling inside, had more room and best of all, was really cheap.
Despite being mechanically identical to the Peugeot and Citroen, the Aygo gets a longer five-year warranty – and Toyota’s ‘Relax’ warranty programme means the company will now cover any model until it’s 10 years old or reaches 100,000 miles if you keep it serviced at a main dealer.
Used models are good value too, and make a fantastic first car because the small 1.0-litre engines are cheap to insure. The small engines also mean fuel economy is impressive, so running costs overall are really low. The Aygo should be a reliable car, too.
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Models covered
- • Toyota Aygo Mk1 (2005-2014) – Mk1 version of city car is a fun used choice for frugal drivers.
- • Toyota Aygo Mk2 (2014-date) – Trendy Aygo Mk2 city car is a value-for-money choice.
Toyota Aygo Mk2
History
The second-generation Toyota Aygo launched in summer 2014 and used a 1.0-litre petrol engine with either a five-speed manual or an automated manual gearbox, called x-shift. It’s functionally the same as an automatic, as you don’t have to change gear yourself, but it’s not as smooth as most true auto gearboxes. Fuel economy and acceleration are both noticeably worse on the automatic.
There was a choice of three or five doors and x, x-play or x-pression trims, plus x-cite and x-clusiv special editions. In August 2015 Toyota’s Safety Sense pack became optional on all models, adding AEB, Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning.
A facelifted Aygo arrived in 2018, in x, x-play, x-press, x-plore, x-cite and x-clusiv specs. There have also been x-claim, x-wave, x-trend and x-pure editions.
New three-door models were discontinued in 2020, when the range was also slimmed to four trim levels.
Which one should I buy?
The second-generation Aygo has a simple range – there’s one engine, a 1.0-litre petrol, and either a manual or automatic transmission. The manual is more common and the better buy but if you only have an auto licence then you can choose the automatic version.
You can also choose models with three or five doors. The latter is the better choice for most as it’s more practical and therefore more popular, but you can get a bargain on a three-door if you don’t expect to need the back seats much.
Entry-level Aygos are pretty spartan; their only key piece of kit is electric front windows. Mid-range x-play cars get a DAB radio, air-con, Bluetooth and electric door mirrors. The x-pression adds alloys, part-leather trim and an infotainment touchscreen with a parking camera. It’s rare to find a city car with kit like a reversing camera, which will be a boon for tight spaces and difficult car parks.
Alternatives to the Toyota Aygo Mk2
The Hyundai i10 and its cousin, the Kia Picanto, come with long warranties like the Aygo, and it’s easy to find models with plenty of time left on them. These cars are good to drive, practical and have better interiors than the Aygo but aren’t as quirky or interesting.
The Volkswagen up!, Skoda Citigo and SEAT Mii are fantastic city cars and bring refinement, cheeky styling, strength and dependability. All three are basically the same car so price is the main factor but we like all three more than any other used city car.
You could also buy a Citroen C1 or Peugeot 108, which are the same car made on the same production line as the Aygo. Designs and prices differ slightly from the Toyota and they came with three-year warranties, compared with the five-year Japanese offering.
What to look for
Shocks
Some early Aygos had clunking rear dampers; new ones should have been fitted under warranty.
Nav
Optional navigation is a TomTom-based system. Despite this, dealers charge £150 or so to update it. If you have a smartphone and a version with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you’ll be best off just using your phone’s apps to get around.
Lock
The tailgate lock can go out of alignment, so you can’t get into the boot. Adjustment is all that’s needed.
Warranty
Aygo’s five-year maker’s warranty has a 100,000-mile limit and there’s also a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. In 2021 Toyota introduced a ground-breaking 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, and even used cars can benefit from extra cover if they’re serviced at a main dealer and within the age and mileage requirements.
Interior
There’s room for four if your passengers aren’t tall; the rear has seatbelts and headrests for only two people. The rising window line can make things feel claustrophobic in the back, while the side windows pop open rather than wind down. Entry-level cars miss out on driver’s seat height adjustment and split-folding rear seats, and boot capacity is below average at 168 or 812 litres.
Prices
See the latest Toyota Aygo prices on our sister site BuyaCar.
Running costs
A service is required every year or 10,000 miles. There are three levels of maintenance: Intermediate (£145), Full (£255) and Full+ (£295), with the latter due at 60,000 and 100,000 miles.
Pre-paid service plans are available from £15 per month, but once an Aygo reaches its fifth birthday it’s eligible for cut-price maintenance at £99 for an intermediate check and £180 for a major inspection.
There’s no cambelt to change, which helps to keep running costs down, but fresh coolant is required after 100,000 miles and then every 50,000 miles, at £75.
An air-conditioning re-gas will set you back £130, while a complete air-con service comes in at £170.
Recalls
There’s been just one recall for the second-generation Aygo, which was in June 2016. It affected cars built in September and October 2014, which could suffer from steering column failure, leading to a loss of control.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
The Aygo came in 43rd in the Driver Power 2018 new car survey, and owners loved its ultra-low running costs, infotainment and connectivity. Yet the car didn’t feature in the 2020 top 75 cars. However the mechanically identical Citroen C1 did, in 72nd place. Toyota as a brand came in the top 10, with plenty of happy owners.
Verdict
When you bear in mind that the second-generation Aygo only comes with a 1.0-litre petrol engine that is linked to either a manual or automatic gearbox, the number of variations on the theme is surprisingly large. There have been many permutations and combinations of trim levels, special editions, door configurations, roof design (fixed metal or slide-back cloth) and transmissions since its launch. But any Aygo that has been cared for is worth a closer look; the pint-sized Toyota was voted best city car by our readers in the Driver Power 2017 owner satisfaction survey. While it’s not really cut out for long-distance drives, the Aygo is perfect for short trips thanks to its low running costs, plus diminutive proportions that make parking a breeze.
Click here for our full used buyer’s guide on the Toyota Aygo Mk1…
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