FUNKY design is perhaps not something you often associate with Toyota but now its city car has X factor.

The striking design, with the distinctive X-shape which defines the face of the grille and the customisation options available, puts the Aygo up there with funkiest.

Launched in 2005 as Toyota's first compact city car, it was the result of a joint venture with PSA Peugeot Citroen.

The Aygo was developed specifically for Europe, with the objective of attracting young, urban-based customers. It had facelifts in 2008 and 2012 and sold well during the period.

The design was interesting but certainly not spectacular and was crying out for a major makeover.

The latest version, which Toyota says was created with fun in mind, screams individuality, with its striking design, gutsy three cylinder petrol engine, direct, responsive steering super-precise gearbox and excellent economy.

It also features a deeper boot. OK it's still tiny, but for a city car it offers reasonable stowage capacity. Three decent-sized shopping bags fitted comfortably.

For customisation, more than 10 parts around the vehicle can easily be replaced to change colour or execution.

The latest version also offers more cabin space and new interior features like the x-touch multimedia system. Its seven-inch, full colour touchscreen controls a range of on-board systems, like sat nav and infotainment. The interior looks mimimalist but classy, with a combination of bare metal and plastic finish, which feels solid and well put together and yes, funky.

It is available in 14 different three- and five-door hatchback models, with three standard trims and two special editions.

The entry model is the x, followed by the x-play and x-pression, and the two special editions, x-cite and the highly-equipped x-clusiv tested here.

Customisation packs include OUTstand pack at £395 and exterior package; the OUTburst at £245 comprises a front bumper decal, side sills and rear diffuser decal, available in red or chrome.

The INspire pack at £165 adds surrounds for the air vents and gear shift to match any exterior colour; other interior components have a piano black finish, while the £165 INtense adds body colour-matched instrument panel, centre console and gear surround.

Standard kit on the base model x includes four airbags, electric front windows, projector beam and LED headlights, sound system with AUX-in and USB sockets, electric front windows, remote central locking and tyre pressure monitors, while extra goodies like Bluetooth, steering wheel controls, air con, split seats, alloy wheels, fog lights and the X-Touch infotainment system with DAB radio and reversing camera.

The x-Clusiv range topper features black bodywork, silver detailing and grille, black and silver alloy wheels, x-touch infotainment with DAB, reversing camera and automatic headlights.

Powered by a three-cylinder, 1.0-litre VVT-I petrol engine, the 69bhp power unit delivers excellent fuel economy and low CO2 emissions as well as delivering a pleasing throaty rasp from the three pot engine.

Claimed economy is up near 70mpg while CO2 emissions are under the benchmark 100g/km at 95, thus exempting the car from road fund licence and any congestion charges.

For anyone using this type of car as a business vehicle, perhaps a food delivery company or estate agent, benefit in kind taxation is low at 12 per cent.

It is mated to a superbly direct five-speed gearbox where the gear lever slips effortlessly through the gates. It is a nippy little car, perfectly suited to urban transport and small enough to get into the tightest parking spaces.

It is a comfortable place to be with a firmish ride. The two front occupants have decent head and legroom, but the rear two are more suited for children, although adults could probably put up with short trips.

With the car being so short it grips the road well and is a fun drive, given the right circumstances, but first and foremost it is a city runabout with just enough room for four and just enough room for four bags of shopping.

It looks great, handles well and, with a starting price of £,8,995, will undoubtedly continue to sell well.

How many people would be willing to shell out £11,695 for the range topper, even with all the bells and whistles, remains to be seen. It certainly looks the part and performs well.