Toyota Aygo vs Skoda Citigo
With its bold looks, the new Toyota Aygo is set to make a splash in the city car class. But can it beat the Skoda Citigo?
Things are hotting up in the closely fought city car sector, with a new crop of contenders aiming to become king of the urban jungle. The latest addition is the all-new Toyota Aygo, and this second generation of the tiny Japanese machine is trying to ditch its straight-laced style in favour of a fresh and funky image.
That means you get bold new looks, a host of customisation options and plenty of hi-tech kit that’s dripping with showroom appeal.
However, the newcomer hasn’t forgotten its roots, so it’s powered by a frugal 1.0-litre engine, features compact dimensions and promises penny-pinching running costs. We test the car in range-topping £11,395 x-pression guise.
Facing up to the Toyota in this hard-hitting street fight is our reigning city car champ, the Skoda Citigo. With its big car refinement and driving experience, family friendly practicality and top-notch quality, the Citigo still sets the standard in the small car class. So can the tiny Toyota topple the stunning Skoda?
Click on the links above to read each in-depth review, then read on for our verdict.
Head-to-head
Customisation
Personalisation options for the Aygo include the £395 OUTstand pack that features contrasting exterior trim inserts and the £245 OUTburst decal pack.
Used - available now
2023 Peugeot
3008
18,185 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L
Cash £21,600
2021 BMW
X3
61,267 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L
Cash £24,100
2022 Toyota
Corolla
19,179 milesAutomaticPetrol1.8L
Cash £14,400
2022 Vauxhall
Corsa
16,883 milesManualPetrol1.2L
Cash £11,800You can also add body colour finishes to the interior with the £165 INspire and INtense packages. On the Citigo, there are £180 Sport stripes for the bonnet and roof, £87 chrome kick plate finishers and a £217 roof spoiler. You can also spend £660 on 15-inch alloys.
Technology
Pairing your phone to the Toyota’s infotainment system is a piece of cake, and you can browse through your music library via the Bluetooth connection. If you have an Android mobile, Mirrorlink replicates your phone display on the touchscreen.
Running costs
Both cars emit less than 100g/km of CO2 and so qualify for a free tax disc, while each promises to average 50mpg fuel economy. The Aygo isn’t available with a service pack, but three trips to the dealer will cost £527 using Toyota’s fixed-price scheme, which is only £48 more than Skoda’s servicing deal.
Verdict
1st: Skoda Citigo
The remarkable Citigo’s winning streak continues. It’s not as eye-catching as the new Toyota, but it delivers big car quality, refinement and driving dynamics in a small package. It’s also surprisingly practical, incredibly cheap to run and comes well equipped as standard.
2nd: Toyota Aygo
Younger drivers will love the latest Aygo’s distinctive looks, personalisation options and smartphone-friendly touchscreen. But the driving experience lets it down and the car feels cheaper than its rival. Claustrophobic-feeling rear bench and small boot don’t help.
Figures
| Skoda Citigo 1.0 75PS Elegance GreenTech | Toyota Aygo x-pression 5dr | |
| On the road price/total as tested | £10,740/£11,640 | £11,395/£11,395 |
| Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) | £4,500/41.9% | N/A |
| Depreciation | £6,240 | N/A |
| Annual tax liability std/higher rate | £256/£513 | £272/£544 |
| Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) | £1,424/£2,373 | £1,856/£3,094 |
| Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost | 1/£243/A/£0 | 7/£246/A/£0 |
| Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service | £479 (3yrs/30k) | £99/£179/£99 |
| Length/wheelbase | 3,563/2,420mm | 3,455/2,340mm |
| Height/width | 1,463/1,645mm | 1,460/1,615mm |
| Engine | 3cyl in-line/999cc | 3cyl in-line/998cc |
| Peak power/revs | 74/6,200 bhp/rpm | 69/6,000 bhp/rpm |
| Peak torque/revs | 95/3,000 Nm/rpm | 95/4,300 Nm/rpm |
| Transmission | 5-spd man/fwd | 5-spd man/fwd |
| Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel | 35 litres/sealant | 35 litres/sealant |
| Boot capacity (seats up/down) | 251/959 litres | 168 litres/N/A |
| Kerbweight/payload | 854/436kg | 840/400kg |
| Turning circle/drag coefficient | 9.8 metres/0.33Cd | 9.6 metres/0.28Cd |
| Basic warranty (miles)/recovery | 3yrs (60,000)/3yrs | 5yrs (100,000)/1yrs |
| Service intervals/UK dealers | 10,000 (1yr)/135 | 10,000 miles (1yr)/181 |
| Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. | 1st/7th* | 17th/3rd* |
| Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./stars | 89/80/46/5 stars | 68/73/53/3 stars |
| 0-60/30-70mph | 12.4/12.6 secs | 12.0/13.2 secs |
| 30-50mph in 3rd/4th | 6.9/10.3 secs | 7.9/11.2 secs |
| 50-70mph in 5th | 15.7 secs | 19.3 secs |
| Top speed/rpm at 70mph | 106mph/3,200rpm | 99mph/3,200rpm |
| Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph | 51.7/38.0/9.3m | 49.6/36.4/9.8m |
| Noise outside/idle/30/70mph | 62/52/60/68dB | 60/45/64/74dB |
| Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range | 49.8/11.1/383 miles | 38.2/8.5/294 miles |
| Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 55.4/76.3/67.3mpg | 56.5/78.5/68.9mpg |
| Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 12.2/16.8/14.8mpl | 12.4/17.3/15.2mpl |
| Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket | 131/98g/km/12% | 171/95g/km/12% |
| Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/camera | Four/yes/£310^/no | Six/yes/£400^/yes |
| Air-conditioning/leather/heated seats | Yes/no/yes | Yes/part/no |
| Auto gearbox/stability/cruise control | No/yes/£310^ | £700/yes/yes |
| Metallic paint/xenon lights/keyless go | £490/no/no | £495/no/no |
| Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth | Yes/no/no/yes | £395/yes/yes/yes |
