News
Tom Cruise, the peril of sequels and … the Toyota Aygo X Hybrid | Editor’s Choice October 2025
Can the sequel ever be better than the original? Dan’s been driving the Toyota Aygo X and thinks it could be!
Words by: Dan Trent
Published on 2 October 2025 | 0 min read
Reviews Editor Dan Trent writes…
”Ever worried a reboot or sequel to a much-loved original couldn’t live up to the magic of the original? Looking at you, Top Gun: Maverick! In truth, I knew it was going to be rubbish, given it was basically a shot-for-shot remake of the first one, but the key players were just a bit older and saggier.“Other than a Ryanair touchdown violent enough to make a navy fighter jock proud what’s the link between Top Gun and the new hybrid version of the Toyota Aygo X I drove in Berlin a couple of weeks back? Well, having run (and loved) the previous version on long-term test I was worried THIS remake might have a whiff of Maverick, in the sense the key protagonist looked the same. But carried a little more weight and emotional baggage. And while slow, tinny and undeniably basic I loved the OG Aygo X for its simplicity, lack of weight and waggy-tailed enthusiasm. Hybridisation promised improved performance and efficiency, but at what cost?
“So, I was relieved when I came out of the hotel the morning of our drive to find a colourful line-up of new Aygo X Hybrids waiting. For a traditionally conservative company this little Toyota has always had a sense of fun, the spice-themed two-tones of the first-gen cars helping them stand out in a sea of greys, blacks and silvers. The new one picks up the theme with Cinnamon, Jasmin, Tarragon and Lavandula options, plus a new Mustard for the GR Sport. Happy days.
“While there’s a bit more to the bodywork to make space for the hybrid system the new Aygo X retains the lanky, skinny-tyred stance, which is a good visual reference for how it drives. While it’s put on a few it’s still light for a modern car, the suspension rippling over Berlin cobbles and tram tracks like they weren’t there while the responsive steering was just as nippy as I remembered. But performance is way better, the electric boost slashing the comedically slow 0-62mph time of the original from 14.9 seconds (really) to just over nine. Which, in plain English, means it now has enough zip to get out of its own way. Admittedly, at the time I might have said I enjoyed thrashing the living daylights out of my long-termer to make progress. But, mooing automatic gearbox aside, electrification hasn’t ruined the fun and there have been other improvements, the updated safety systems no longer screaming in panic at every parked car among them.
“While there’s a bit more to the bodywork to make space for the hybrid system the new Aygo X retains the lanky, skinny-tyred stance, which is a good visual reference for how it drives. While it’s put on a few it’s still light for a modern car, the suspension rippling over Berlin cobbles and tram tracks like they weren’t there while the responsive steering was just as nippy as I remembered. But performance is way better, the electric boost slashing the comedically slow 0-62mph time of the original from 14.9 seconds (really) to just over nine. Which, in plain English, means it now has enough zip to get out of its own way. Admittedly, at the time I might have said I enjoyed thrashing the living daylights out of my long-termer to make progress. But, mooing automatic gearbox aside, electrification hasn’t ruined the fun and there have been other improvements, the updated safety systems no longer screaming in panic at every parked car among them.
“I’m still tempted to buy one of the original ones as a first car for the kids when the time comes, for the fact the lack of performance and manual gearbox will give them a good grounding. But even with the rose-tinted aviators on I have to admit the new one does everything the old one did. Just a little bit better. Something even Tom Cruise couldn’t pull off.”
Find your Toyota Aygo X on Autotrader!
Find your Toyota Aygo X on Autotrader!
