As far as mantles go, that of city car must arguably be a bit worn out by now. That venerable tyke, the Toyota Aygo however gets to wear one and quite convincingly might I add thanks to three memorable years at the hands of South African owners. They cut a fine shape on our local roads, with a face chiselled like an X and a generally futuristic aesthetic underpinned with the reliability, safety and technology you come to expect from a Toyota hatchback - albeit one with a tiny (but athletic) footprint.
Fresh-face gets fresher
Meet the Aygo ala 2019 model, a refreshed iteration unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2018. Now with an ever-sharper set of revisions both inside and out, fortifying those urban credentials even further than before. That front-side X gets an even bolder 3D treatment, seen here in the sort of two tone white and black colour treatment you'd typically find in a panda enclosure, with striking red accents for some added road presence. That X now incorporates redesigned headlamps and daytime running LED lights with the gaping lower apron in gloss black a testimony to its four-square stance.
The profile is over quickly, a short flurry of strokes from a calligrapher's pen and we've rounded the back where the LED lamp jewellery continues as does the clever use of negative space to give the car a plucky stance at each corner where new rim designs have been tucked away.
Clamber aboard and 'wa-hey 3D graphics!' you're greeted with a vibing instrument cluster. Seat fabrics are updated too in conjunction with a more premium Piano Black and Quartz Grey colour scheme.
Grab a palmful of helm and lever and there's new performance and efficiency to enjoy from the 998cc, three-cylinder engine thanks to a host of technical updates. Refinement levels too reach a new level of 'shh' thanks to lower drivetrain vibrations and reduced noise and harshness in the cabin. Not to mention a raft of revisions to its handling and demeanour to keep it resolutely young and urban.
Toyota Aygo Excite specs:
| Engine | 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder |
| Power | 53kW |
| Torque | 93Nm |
| Driven Wheels | Front |
| Transmission | Five speed manual |
| 0-100kph | 13.8 seconds |
| Average Fuel Consumption | 4.1l/100km |
| CO2 | 97g/km |
