2026 Toyota Aygo X Hybrid Review – Has Toyota’s Smallest Crossover Grown Up?

Toyota’s smallest crossover gets a major upgrade with a new hybrid drivetrain, more tech and higher prices – but has the cheeky Aygo X grown up a little too much?

Some cars don’t change very often. Others quietly evolve until one day you realise they’ve become something quite different from what they started out as. That’s exactly what has happened to the Toyota Aygo X.

I last reviewed the Aygo X back in 2022. Hard to believe that was four years ago now. Back then it was Toyota’s cheeky little city crossover, powered by a humble three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine and available with a proper manual gearbox. It was simple, fun, and very much in keeping with the Aygo’s long tradition as a compact, affordable urban runabout.

Fast forward to 2026 and Toyota has quietly rewritten the script. The new Aygo X looks broadly familiar, but under the skin it has undergone a surprisingly significant transformation. It is now a hybrid, the engine is larger, the gearbox has changed completely, the technology has moved on, and the price… well, that’s changed too.

So the question is no longer simply “Is the Aygo X a good city car?” The real question is whether Toyota’s smallest model has grown up – and whether that’s actually a good thing.

WALKAROUND OF THE NEW CAR

Same Size, Very Different Car

Before diving into the details, a quick note for regular readers or viewers of the channel.

Dimensionally, this is essentially the same car as before. The wheelbase, cabin space and overall packaging remain unchanged, so if you want a deeper look at the practicality, rear seats and boot space you can check out my original 2022 review where I went through all of that in detail.

In this review I’m focusing on what’s actually new. And the biggest change by far lies under the bonnet.

PREVIOUS AYGO X REVIEW

Goodbye 1.0 Petrol, Hello Hybrid

Previously the Aygo X was powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine paired with either a manual gearbox or a CVT automatic. That option has now disappeared entirely.

Toyota has shifted its entire range towards hybridisation, and the Aygo X has followed suit. The new model now uses a 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain producing 116hp, paired exclusively with Toyota’s e-CVT automatic transmission. This is essentially a scaled-down version of the hybrid technology used in larger Toyotas like the Yaris.

The performance improvement is immediately noticeable. Acceleration from 0-62mph now takes 9.2 seconds, which is roughly five seconds quicker than the old 1.0-litre version. Top speed is 107mph, which is more than enough for a car whose natural habitat is the city.

Where the hybrid really shines, however, is efficiency. Toyota claims between 70 and 74mpg and CO₂ emissions of just 87g/km. After driving more than 200 miles in mixed conditions, including motorway journeys and B-roads, I was seeing around 63mpg, which suggests the official figure is entirely achievable with gentler driving.  

For a petrol-powered car in this segment, those are impressive numbers.

Model	Price (OTR UK)	Key Features
Aygo X Hybrid Icon	£21,595	1.5 Hybrid powertrain, Toyota Safety Sense, 9” touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
Aygo X Hybrid Design	£23,695	Adds LED projector headlights, rain sensors, gloss black styling elements
Aygo X Hybrid Excel	£26,045	10.5” Smart Connect infotainment, smart entry, heated seats, advanced parking sensors
Aygo X Hybrid GR Sport	£26,895	Sport styling, GR-tuned suspension, unique wheels and trim

Prices Have Gone Up Too

Of course, new technology rarely comes without a price increase. Where the old Aygo X started at around £16,000, the new hybrid range now begins at £21,595 for the entry-level Icon. Above that sits the Design trim at £23,695.

The car tested here is the Excel version with Premium Pack, priced at £26,045.

At the very top of the range there’s now also a GR Sport version, costing around £26,895 and adding sportier styling and suspension tweaks.

That means the Aygo X is no longer positioned purely as an entry-level budget car. Instead it’s now competing in a slightly more premium corner of the small car market.

Styling Changes – Subtle but Noticeable

At first glance the new Aygo X looks very similar to the outgoing model. But there are a few subtle changes if you look closely.

The most obvious difference is at the front of the car. The nose has been slightly extended to accommodate the hybrid drivetrain and battery packaging, which has allowed Toyota to redesign the front bumper and grille area. The headlights are new too, giving the car a sharper and slightly more assertive appearance.

Elsewhere the changes are minimal. The alloy wheels are new designs, the canvas roof pattern has been updated, and the rear now carries hybrid badging.

Otherwise the distinctive Aygo X shape remains intact. And it’s still a surprisingly chunky little car for something that measures just over 3.7 metres long. As one of my neighbours described it while I had it parked outside: “It looks quite chunky for such a small car.” That’s actually a perfect description.

Interior – More Digital, More Grown Up

Step inside and the changes become more obvious. The previous Aygo X used a partly analogue instrument cluster with a small central screen. The new model replaces that with a fully digital display, giving the dashboard a much more modern feel.

The centre screen has also grown significantly. In this Excel model you get a 10.5-inch Toyota Smart Connect multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interface is familiar to anyone who has used Toyota’s latest infotainment systems and includes hybrid energy flow displays, trip data and vehicle customisation settings.  

One thing Toyota deserves credit for is keeping physical controls. You still get proper buttons and switches for climate control, indicators, lights and wipers rather than burying everything in touchscreen menus. There’s also wireless phone charging, USB ports, heated seats, ambient lighting and a decent-sounding four-speaker stereo.

Overall the interior feels a little more sophisticated than before. But it also feels… slightly less playful.

The previous Aygo X had some funky colour accents and quirky design touches, whereas this new version feels more restrained. Perhaps Toyota is saving the more expressive interior designs for the GR Sport variant.

Specification	Toyota Aygo X Hybrid
Engine	1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol hybrid
System Power	116 hp
Transmission	e-CVT automatic
Drive	Front-wheel drive
0-62 mph	9.2 seconds
Top Speed	107 mph
Fuel Economy (WLTP)	up to 74.3 mpg
CO₂ Emissions	87 g/km
Length	3,776 mm
Width	1,740 mm
Height	1,525 mm
Wheelbase	2,430 mm
Boot Capacity	231 litres
Seating	4

Practicality – Still a City Car

The Aygo X has never been about space, and that hasn’t changed. The boot offers 231 litres of capacity, which is usable but not particularly generous. Rear passengers also won’t be overly impressed.

There are ISOFIX mounting points for child seats, so it works perfectly well as a small family runabout for young children. But adults in the back will quickly run out of legroom.

On the Road – Surprisingly Mature

Driving the new Aygo X is where things get interesting. Despite its tiny footprint, the car feels much more grown up than you might expect.

I’ve driven it in some pretty unpleasant conditions during the test week, including motorway journeys in heavy rain and poor visibility. In those circumstances many small cars can feel a bit nervous and unsettled. The Aygo X didn’t. It remained stable, composed and surprisingly comfortable even at motorway speeds. That’s a pleasant surprise.

Around town, where the Aygo X really belongs, it feels even more at home. The hybrid system makes stop-start driving smoother, and the steering is nicely weighted.

Throw it down a few twisty B-roads and it’s actually quite entertaining too. There’s enough grip, the brakes are strong, and you can even adjust the car’s attitude slightly using the throttle.

It’s not fast by modern electric-car standards, but it’s certainly quick enough for a small city car.

Feature	Availability
Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance	Standard
Pre-Collision System with pedestrian & cyclist detection	Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control	Standard
Lane Departure Alert	Standard
9-inch multimedia touchscreen	Icon / Design
10.5-inch Smart Connect touchscreen	Excel / GR Sport
Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto	Standard
Digital instrument cluster	Standard
Heated front seats	Excel
Smart entry & push-button start	Design and above
Intelligent parking sensors with braking	Excel / GR Sport
18-inch alloy wheels	Design and above
Canvas retractable roof (optional)	Selected trims
GR Sport suspension tuning	GR Sport

The One Thing It’s Lost

If there’s one small criticism of the new Aygo X, it’s that it has lost a little bit of the cheeky character that made the previous version so charming. That old 1.0-litre engine wasn’t powerful, but it was eager and entertaining when paired with a manual gearbox. Working the gears and wringing the little engine out added a sense of fun.

The hybrid system is smoother and more refined, but it’s also a little less engaging. That’s the trade-off. For many buyers the extra refinement, efficiency and technology will be worth it. But enthusiasts might miss that slightly mischievous personality the old car had.

Verdict – A More Sophisticated Aygo

Overall, the new Toyota Aygo X is unquestionably an improvement. It’s more efficient, more refined, better equipped and easier to live with than the previous version. It also feels far more mature on longer journeys, which broadens its appeal beyond purely urban driving.

But in becoming more grown up, it has lost just a tiny bit of its original cheeky charm. Still, for many buyers that will be exactly what they want.

If you’re single, a young couple, or someone living in the city who wants a stylish, efficient and reliable small car with a bit of crossover attitude, the Aygo X makes a lot of sense. Just don’t expect limousine levels of rear passenger space.

BLOOPERS FROM THE FIRST REVIEW

Let me know what you think of the new Aygo X. Has Toyota improved its smallest car… or has it lost a little bit of the fun along the way?

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