Toyota Aygo X Hybrid

Because the design of the Aygo X did not include hybrid drive, it was not easy to retrofit it. For the sake of price, Toyota wanted to use only its own components and that required major modifications. For instance, the front was lengthened (+76 mm) to accommodate a larger engine. And since the nose was modified anyway, the face of the Aygo X was revised.

The grille has become larger for a less playful and more cheeky look. The headlights are less frivolous than before and are optically linked by a light bar across the width of the also new bonnet. Moreover, the Aygo X is now available in an extra sporty "GR"version and it looks tough (see photos).

Space

Although the exterior looks much more mature than before, the interior is as playful as ever. There is almost no straight line to be found in the cabin, as the central display, glovebox, climate control system controls and automatic gear lever are all encased in ovals. Even the door pockets are oval! The paint colour is reflected in the cabin and, together with the hard plastic on the dashboard, this was initially perceived as shabby. However, on closer inspection, Toyota appears to use this as a style element, making the interior look even more cheerful. The animal leather has been replaced with vegan leather, saving 95% (!) of CO2 emissions during the car's production.

The Aygo X features relatively large front seats. Moreover, space in the front is excellent, making the Aygo X seem more spacious than it is. However, this comfort comes at the expense of the back seat. With two large adults in the front, space in the back is virtually zero. Under the back seat is the battery needed to power the electric motor. This has the same capacity as in the Toyota Yaris Hybrid, but is wide instead of long to fit in the Aygo X. Since Toyota's battery technology requires active cooling and heating, the Aygo X has a centre tunnel that further limits space in the rear.

Equipment

The hybrid powertrain comes from the larger Toyota Yaris and because so many parts were "borrowed", Toyota took the opportunity to improve the Aygo X's equipment as well. For this test, the new GR version was driven and it features a left/right separate (!) climate control system, a reversing camera, an electrically operated parking brake and a decent infotainment system.

This may seem like overkill, but with new arrivals from China, things like this are becoming commonplace in small cars too, and it makes sense for Toyota to go along with this. Another nice touch: since Toyota's hybrid system requires an automatic gearbox, it is now standard on the Aygo X.

Another nice touch: since Toyota's hybrid system requires an automatic, it is now standard on the Aygo X.

Hybrid

To achieve hybrid drive, it is not enough to add an electric motor alongside an existing petrol engine. The petrol engine must withstand extremely frequent stops and starts and preferably runs a so-called Atkinson cycle. Such an engine is less lively, but much more economical. The electric motor masks this and so even more fuel is saved.

That's why the existing 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine has been replaced by the 1.5-litre three-cylinder from the Yaris Hybrid. Power therefore shoots up from 72 hp / 93 Nm to 91 hp / 120 Nm. And that is clearly noticeable! The Aygo X Hybrid performs with much more ease than the conventional version. While the standard Aygo had to give all it got to merge smoothly on the motorway, this is now effortless. On the motorway, high speeds are maintained with no problem and, thanks to the CVT automatic transmission, travel can be done in relative calm (125 km/h = 2,000 rpm). Even speeds well above 130 km/h are achieved by the Aygo X Hybrid with an ease that is unprecedented for a car in the a-segment.

Most importantly, regardless of the revs, extra power is always available, whereas the standard engine requires a lot of shifting to prevent the speed from "slumping". Despite the electric assistance, this hybrid is hardly quieter than a conventional engine. Still, the characteristic rumble of the three-cylinder is abundantly audible. This engine sounds raw, but - once warmed up - is very smooth.

For large cars, hybrid drive can easily save a lot of fuel. In small cars, the savings from hybrid driving are smaller in both absolute and relative terms. Officially, consumption decreases from 4.8 litres per 100 km to 3.7 litres per 100 km (CO2 emissions drop from 108 to 85 grams). Keep in mind that hybrid drive mostly comes into its own in the city and less so on the motorway. Test consumption over a route including city traffic, country roads and motorways came to 4.1 litres per 100 km.

Handling

To add hybrid drive to the Aygo X, much more had to be changed than just the drivetrain. The larger engine and battery make the car heavier (+140 kg), while the extra engine power demands more from the chassis and brakes. This is why the Aygo X Hybrid has modified springs, dampers and even wheel bolts. Because a hybrid recovers energy during braking and coasting, the brakes have been modified. Finally, the steering software has been modified.

With all these modifications, Toyota wanted to ensure that the Aygo X would not feel heavier than the conventional variant. In this, the engineers partially succeeded. The Aygo X does feel heavier, but this is not perceived as a disadvantage, but an advantage. In fact, the hybrid feels more solid and stable! On the contrary, the excellent manoeuvrability has been retained and therefore the handling is felt to be an improvement in all respects.

As with other models, apart from a sportier look, the GR version also offers sportier handling. This version has firmer springs and dampers, making it easier for the driver to feel what the mechanics are capable of. Thereby, the steering is more alert (not more direct, as that is technically too complex) for an even livelier character.

Conclusion

Why did Toyota change its mind? And why did the Aygo X still come with hybrid drive three years after its introduction? It seems illogical, because in a small car, the savings a hybrid engine brings are limited. Moreover, the technology is complex and therefore expensive, which has a big impact on the price of a small car. Besides, small cars are more often bought from one's own savings and those buyers are more retained than those of leased cars (short term, risk for someone else).

The first part of the answer is fiscal. More and more countries are taxing CO2 emissions. This involves tax to be paid by the manufacturer and tax to be paid by the buyer. Moreover, electric cars are now cheaper, and with hybrid technology, Toyota is narrowing the price gap.

The second part of the answer concerns competition. With the hybrid drive, the Aygo X drives much better than competitors with a standard petrol engine. The Aygo X Hybrid is smoother, faster and performs with more ease for more comfort. To make the Aygo X even more competitive, Toyota has adopted not only the powertrain but also the equipment of a larger model. A fine example of progressive insight, then!