Toyota Aygo May Be Europe’s Answer to Traffic Problem

Go to any major European city or suburb and you’ll see two things: small cars and bicycles. The problem is that driving a big car in Paris or London is not that practical. That’s why big automakers like Ford, Honda, and Toyota who operate in Europe make exclusively small and practical cars for them. Take for example the Honda Jazz. It's small, reliable, and most importantly, practical. Because of this, automakers compete for who can make the most spacious, practical, economical, and most importantly, small cars for European buyers.

Toyota did this with the 2005 Toyota Aygo. This cute-looking little hatch cross took the streets and made less power than some low-end motorcycles do today. It sold well and people liked its practicality. However, the Aygo has come back to the European market with Toyota Announcing the re-designed 2023 Aygo last week. It is the next generation in compact hatches and is a game-changer for the European market.

Like most cars in Europe, the Aygo will come with a manual transmission powered by a 1-liter petrol engine pushing out a childish 71hp. That’s 4 more than the 2005 model, impressive. Toyota says this horsepower gives it a boost of 13.6 seconds on the 0-60 compared to the last generation. Interestingly, it has a lot of new tech. One example is the re-circulation of petrol through the exhaust, that’s a neat feature for a car that runs on a glorified lawnmower engine. However, one thing that’s going to win buyers is its gas mileage.

Toyota said in its press release that the 2023 Toyota Aygo delivers over 50 mpg for the automatic transmission while the manual averages around 48mpg. In Europe, that’s going to be a deal maker for a lot of prospective buyers because gas is Europe is significantly more expensive than in the U.S, regardless of economic problems. The Aygo X features a better gas mileage thanks to its eco mode. It will be based on Toyota’s TNGA-B platform shared across a lot of other models.

When it comes to cute little cars like the 2023 Toyota Aygo and Aygo X, I like to see a variety in colors. Uniqueness and style make a car stand out from its competition. Such has the 2023 Toyota Aygo done with its color options. Yes, you can now order your 2023 Toyota Aygo with the following color options: Cardamom, Chili, Ginger, and Juniper. At first, I thought I was at an Indian spice market but turns out these are the officially color names Toyota has given the Aygo.

While cheaper than most other entry-level Euro compacts, the 2023 Toyota Aygo and Aygo X boast a lot of technology for the price. Toyota’s MyT smartphone app will allow you to connect to your Aygo thus giving you periodical updates on how your car is doing. The 2023 Aygo comes with a beasty 9-inch display with all your infotainment needs and even has a slot for a sim card. Toyota Safety-Sense and LED lighting give the Aygo a sense of safety and style.

All in all, the 2023 Toyota Aygo re-design sounds like a great car to buy. If I lived in a congested European city filled with cyclists and street performers, I would buy one. It’s cute, practical, comes with a manual, and is very spacious. For the family of 4 living in a mid-city apartment, this is a great car for you.

What do you think? Will the Aygo see success in the European market? Let us know in the comment section below.

Harutiun Hareyan is reporting Toyota news at Torque News. His automotive interests and vast experience test-riding new cars give his stories a sense of authenticity and unique insights. Follow Harutiun on Twitter at @HareyanHarutiun for daily Toyota news.