Toyota AYGO

Our verdict

The Toyota Aygo is one of the better city cars. It feels like a definite choice, rather than just something you were pushed into by poverty.

Comfort

The Aygo can get a bit choppy - a short wheelbase and firm damping see to that - but it's not a bad performance. The three-cylinder engine gets a bit buzzy when pushed, but it'll cope with revs. You can manage short motorway trips too, though a cross-continental jaunt is probably a bit beyond the comfort zone.

Performance

Unlike its French-badged C1 and 107 twins, the Aygo isn't offered with a diesel. No matter: the petrol is plucky and thrifty. We like its chirpy three-cylinder warble, but it can get on your nerves on a motorway. It hits 62mph in 13.7 seconds, which sounds slow but feels fine in the car.

Cool

Obviously not, but as an anti-fashion statement for an urban-based humanoid then perfectly acceptable.

Quality

The Aygo and its factory mates the Peugeot 107 and Citroen use Toyota production methods, which is good news. It's definitely built to a budget, though, with fairly Spartan spec. The dash is funky and well put together but made of hard plastics.

Handling

The minuscule size means the Aygo feels nippy and easy to place, especially in town. Grip disappears quickly once you're suburban and beyond though, fading into understeer, but it's a fun car to play in if you keep within the well flagged-up limits.

Practicality

For town-based driving little beats the Aygo -it's small, easy to see out of and cheap-but-not-tacky. You can seat four, which a Smart can't do, but not as roomily as in a Panda. There isn't any luggage space to speak of though - despite that all-glass tailgate it manages just 139litres. You can fold the seats down in a 50/50 stylie to get 751litres, but the access to it is really quite, erm, quirky.

Running costs

As cheap as it gets without going for a Malaysian no-brand. You're looking at group 1 insurance, a real-life 40-50mpg, plus cheap tax, and cheap-ish servicing - it's all good.