Citycars used to be about as sophisticated as a karaoke night at the Queen Vic. The Toyota Aygo shows just how far they've come and makes a very convincing case for itself as a viable downsizing option. As a used buy, it's not the cheapest citycar you'll find but it might just be the best.

Just when we thought the Yaris was the definitive small Toyota, the Japanese company brought us the Aygo. Cheeky, smart and keenly priced, the Aygo was one third of a partnership that also produced the Citroen C1 and the Peugeot 107. Had Toyota risked their impeccable build quality record for a quick hit? It would seem not as Aygo owners seem very satisfied with their cars. Used examples are available if you search for them and they're well worth tracking down.

TOYOTA AYGO HISTORY

The Aygo came about due to inflation. As the Yaris got bigger, room was freed up at the bottom of Toyota's product portfolio for a city car. Even for a company of Toyota's financial muscle, building an entirely new small car platform is not an inconsequential expense. What's more, carbon dioxide weighting regulations meant that they needed a new small car quickly in order to continue selling big models like the Land Cruiser. For the Aygo project, they teamed up with Citroen and Peugeot. This at first seemed a gamble, as Toyota's reputation for reliability is way ahead of either of these French companies and the scope for customising the basic package isn't enormous. Nevertheless, public reaction to the Aygo has been promising, helped by a canny piece of PR whereby a team of Aygos were given to BBC's Top Gear to use in a giant football match. The 1.0-litre petrol engine was initially the only powerplant offered when the Aygo was launched in May 2005 but a 1.4-litre diesel followed in February 2006.

WHAT DO I GET FOR MY MONEY?

Compared to its Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1 counterparts, it's obvious that Toyota went to greater lengths to visually differentiate the Aygo. This was reflected in a marginally higher sticker price, but for many the treatment of the front grille and lights and the smooth way the rear lamp clusters have been integrated will be enough to swing the balance. Built in the Czech Republic, the car features front and rear overhangs that were kept short so as to maximise interior space and make parking simple. The tale of the tape shows a 3.4 metre overall length, which is almost 23cm shorter than a modern MINI. Colour choices aren't extensive with Chilli Red being the standard paint finish while the upper spec models also get the option of Ice Blue and Carbon Quartz metallic. The interior features a two-tone dashboard with a textured effect, while the door trims feature body coloured detailing. One of the more eye-catching features is the design of the ventilation controls on the centre console. Two large wheels bookend the console with a translucent panel sitting between them. Coupled with the funky, minimalist instrument panel, they give the Aygo's fascia a very modern appearance. The steering column is adjustable for both reach and rake, the speedometer binnacle moving with the wheel. Coupled with plenty of driver's seat travel and ample headroom, there shouldn't be a problem getting comfortable behind the wheel of the Aygo. Sitting behind a tall driver is another issue altogether and rear space is a little pinched with the front seat at the back of its travel. That's perhaps forgivable, as there is only so much that can be done within the strictures of a 2.34 metre wheelbase. The audio system reflects the Aygo's modern outlook. The standard setup features the usual AM/FM radio and CD player but also includes a connection socket for other audio hardware such as an MP3 or minidisk player. The upper specification models also add an extra pair of rear speakers and some neat tweeters integrated into the car's A-pillars. Even the entry-level car is well-equipped and includes colour-keyed bumpers, twin front airbags, and anti-lock brakes with the backup of electronic brakeforce distribution. The + grade adds colour-keyed door mirrors and handles, electric front windows, a split folding rear seat, remote central locking, a keyless entry system, side airbags and an ISOFIX child seat attachment. As a result of the bargain basement pricing of Citroen and Peugeot counterparts, it's this model that many fingered as the most popular Aygo. Fork out a little extra and the Aygo Sport factors in 14-inch alloy wheels, integrated front fog lights and a tachometer. Air conditioning is an option for both the + and the Sport. Two options packs are available. The 'Travel Pack' features Aygo-branded Samsonite luggage. This constitutes a glove box bag, a trolley and a rucksack. More popular is the 'Mobility Pack' which adds a TomTom Aygo satellite navigation pod with a three year warranty, map update package and radio integration.

WHAT PRICE AM I LOOKING AT?

Prices start at around £6,000 for a 1.0-litre Aygo, with the Sport model commanding £6,400 on a 2005 05 plate. You'll still need around £7,700 to get your hands on one of the desirable diesel variants. For most, the petrol will work out the more cost-effective proposition. As you might well expect, insurance for the Aygo is extremely cheap with the 1.0-litre cars rated at Group 1 and the 1.4-litre diesels at Group 2.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR?

The Aygo is too new for any significant faults to emerge, and being a Toyota, it's likely to be a long time until they do. Insist on a fully stamped up service record.

HOW DOES IT DRIVE?

The Aygo is a citycar first and foremost, reflected in a sprint to 60mph that takes 14 seconds. The good news is the fact that the 1.0-litre petrol engine is predictably excellent in terms of fuel economy and emissions. The combined economy figure is 61.4mpg and emissions are pegged at a laudable 109g/km. These figures are helped by the fact that the 1.0-litre was billed as the world's lightest production engine. A five-speed manual transmission is the default choice, but Toyota's Multi-mode Manual Transmission is also available as an option, offering clutchless gear changing for those who want to take the drag out of city driving. Effort is further removed by the fitment of electrically-assisted power steering, making light work of turning the Aygo about face in just 9.46 metres. With 55bhp on tap, the 1.4-litre common-rail injection diesel engine actually generates less power than the 68bhp petrol alternative and posts a slower 0-60mph time but it dwarfs the 3-cylinder unit with its massively superior torque. If your Toyota is to be used for low speed, urban motoring where every traffic light seems to be red and pulling out of junctions is a pedal to the metal, drop the clutch affair, the 130Nm of torque available from 1,750rpm in the diesel will be a real boon. The petrol option can only manage 93Nm at a lofty 6,000rpm, so that gesticulating driver you've just pulled out in front of will be looming in the mirror like he's sitting in your back seat by the time you get up to speed. The diesel displays more muscularity than the petrol alternative at the kind of velocities that urban congestion forces us to do and its punchy nature should assist in extricating yourself from sticky situations. The penalty you pay for this is that it's substantially noisier than the petrol when idling and cruising.

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

PARTS INFORMATION

(approx based on a 2006 Aygo+ 1.0) Aygo spares are competitively priced and it's not unknown for Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107 owners to make a visit to their Toyota dealers to take advantage of this fact. A starter motor costs around £100 and brake pads are £25 a set.

TOP 5 AYGO DEALS

The results below show the top AYGO deals on buyacar

	Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i 3dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £114	Saving £346	Price £6,649
	Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i + 3dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £124	Saving £391	Price £7,104
	Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £121	Saving £378	Price £6,967
	Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i Blue 3dr Spec edn Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £440	Price £7,600
	Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i + 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £131	Saving £423	Price £7,422

typical 14.04% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000