Toyota Aygo

No, I'm not blacked out because I can't bear to be seen with the Aygo! Instead, I'm paying homage to the well known Apple iPod advert. Why? Because one of the things I like most about the cool Toyota is the fact I can plug my mp3 music player directly into the car, and then listen to my favourite tunes through the speakers.

Not only is this really neat, but it also means the door pockets aren't full of rattling CD cases - which couldn't even be hidden in the glovebox, because the Aygo doesn't have one.

On that subject, I am finding the lack of covered storage in the cabin frustrating, mainly for security reasons. It simply doesn't feel safe to leave items on the shelf that replaces the conventional drop-down bin, and so I've had to resort to hiding sunglasses and other bits and bobs under the seats to protect them from prying eyes.

Not that I'd blame people for wanting to take a closer look at the small Toyota - it is very cute, and the big, curvy headlights give it a more attract-ive look than either its Peugeot 107 or Citroen C1 twins. I also like the five-door layout, which is unusual on such a small car - and this has taken a few of my friends by surprise. Assuming the Aygo was a three-door, they automatically tried to get into the rear seats by tilting the front ones forward - much to my amusement!

Once in the back, they had no complaints about the space on offer - although that's more than can be said for the load area. It's fine for a supermarket trip, but as I am currently renovating a flat, most weekends are spent heading for Swedish furniture chain Ikea and DIY stores. If I buy anything larger than a doormat, the rear seats have to be folded down. There's nothing wrong with the interior design itself, though. The dash looks especially smart when lit up at night, while the seats and driving position are very comfortable.

That makes the baby Toyota a great companion for my urban lifestyle - it's perfect in town, really enjoyable to travel about in and a delight to park. It's less fun to drive on motorways, where it feels a bit nervous - particularly in crosswinds. Nor is performance as perky as it was in my previous car, a Peugeot 1007 with a 1.4-litre engine.

Still, while overtaking often proves a strain, as long as my iPod is hooked up and a top song is playing, I'll have a smile on my face - even if you can't spot it in the blacked-out picture.

Second opinion
I agree with Eileen - having an iPod adds a whole new experience to driving. It's hard to understand why many manufacturers with cars aimed at young adults don't fit these connectors as standard. The Aygo is great for nipping around the city and very cheap to run. I'm not normally a fanof small five-door models, but the tiny Toyota's rear doors are surprisingly discreet and don't spoil the look of the exterior.
Paul Slater, designer