- Toyota makes the new Aygo X hybrid, and it becomes Europe’s least polluting non-plug-in car.
- It shares its hybrid powertrain with the larger Yaris Hybrid and is considerably more powerful than before.
- Going hybrid only will increase the Aygo X’s price, making it more expensive than some new similar-size EVs.
Toyota’s subcompact Aygo X for Europe just got a significant makeover, transforming it into what the automaker claims is the continent’s cleanest car without a plug. Not only has its exterior and interior been completely revamped, making it sharper than ever, but it’s also now hybrid-only, emitting considerably less carbon dioxide and gaining. more power than before.
With claimed CO2 emissions of just 86 grams per kilometer, it’s slightly cleaner than its bigger brother, the Yaris Hybrid, which is rated at 88 g/km. It shares the larger car’s hybrid system, which pairs a 1.5-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor for a combined 116 hp and 104 lb-ft (141 Nm), an increase of 44 horsepower over its combustion-only predecessor.
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Source: Toyota
Toyota had to lengthen the Aygo X’s front overhang by almost three inches to accommodate the new larger engine, but you can’t really tell with the front bumper’s wrap-around design. It can now accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in under 10 seconds, a far cry from its predecessor’s 15.5-second sprint time.
It’s also quieter and smoother than before, according to Toyota, and it comes with more standard safety kit, and it also gets over-the-air updates for the first time.
The first-generation Aygo X was a huge hit in Europe, combining the regular Aygo’s city-friendly dimensions and simplicity with a taller ride height and a lot more attitude. You see lots of Aygo Xs in European cities, and they’re also a favorite of rental car companies, especially in more remote areas where renters may need to take the car on rough roads where the extra ground clearance comes in handy.
You can opt for the Aygo X with a canvas roof that opens up for a convertible-like experience, and the 8.1-cubic-foot (231-liter) trunk is adequate for your weekly shopping. It comes standard with 17-inch wheels, and 18s are available as an option—really big wheels for such a small car—and Toyota is offering a sporty GR Sport trim for the first time, which gets a special grille pattern, unique 18-inch wheels and sportier suspension and steering tuning, which reduce body roll and improve responsiveness, making it more fun to drive.
Toyota also wants you to know that the revised Aygo X is also greener to manufacture, with an 18% lower carbon footprint than the outgoing model. The factory in Czechia where the Aygo X is manufactured also utilizes a significant proportion of renewable electricity and improved logistics, which all contribute to a lower footprint.
The only downside of the new model is that with the more complex hybrid system and standard CV transmission, as well as the additional standard safety equipment, its price will increase from the current model’s entry point of just under €17,000 ($19,400 at current exchange rates).
This means it could end up being more expensive than some pure electric city cars, like the BYD Dolphin Surf, which, in countries with strong EV incentives, like Romania, has a starting price (with incentives included) of €11,590.
