THE funky second-generation Toyota Aygo arrived back in July and has been an immediate hit because of its cheeky looks and low running costs.
Like its predecessor it was developed jointly with the new Peugeot 108 and the Citroen C1 but the Aygo has a very different look and offers a huge level of personalisation choices to buyers.
Its most striking feature is the 'X' which runs from the windscreen pillars to the front grille and it can be specified in a variety of colours.
First introduced in 2005, the Aygo has been a big success for Toyota with over 760,000 sales and many of them to younger drivers.
The bold styling of the new car is sure to continue that trend and owners will be able to choose from a wealth of combinations and options to make their car distinctive inside and out.
Available with three or five doors the Aygo is available in a choice of three trims X, X-play, X-pression and in two special edition models the X-cite and X-clusive.
All are powered by Toyota's award-winning three cylinder 1.0-litre VVT-i petrol engine which is capable of 68.9mpg on the combined cycle with emissions of just 95g/km - meaning no road tax.
It takes just over 14 seconds to reach 62mph but it does feel quicker than that and it has no problem keeping up with other traffic. It has the potential to do 99mph and it cruises nicely at motorway speeds.
A five-speed manual gearbox is standard but there is an option of an x-shift automated transmission.
On the safety front all models are equipped with ABS and EBD plus front, side and curtain airbags and hill-start assist control.
All trim levels offer generous equipment and even the entry level Aygo comes with LED daytime running lights, Isofix child seat anchors, electronic door locking and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
The car was a five-door X-clusive and it came with equipment you would normally only expect from larger premium models.
Automatic air conditioning, electric windows and door mirrors, remote central locking, rear-view camera, piano black instrument panel and centre consule, fully adjustable steering wheel, Bluetooth, and a decent audio system with DAB were all included in the package.
The exterior featured projector headlights, 15in alloys, an integrated rear spoiler and front fog lights.
The model I tried costs £11,695 and it came with metallic black paint at £495 and premium leather at £995 taking the total to £13,185. Prices for the other models start at £8,595 and represent good value for money.
With low insurance and running costs backed by Toyota's five-year/100,000 mile warranty, the Aygo is an ideal city car and is surprisingly comfortable on even long journeys.
It is also great fun to drive and even in a crowded section of the market it will do well.