Toyota Aygo X Hybrid Review (2026) | Best Small Hybrid Car?

Read Caroline’s Toyota Aygo X Hybrid review for everything you need to know about buying Toyota’s small car in Ireland.

The Toyota Aygo X is the brand’s smallest car currently on sale, slotting into the range below the popular Yaris Hybrid.

It offers buyers an affordable small car option with some SUV-style, hence the ‘X’ in the name, pronounced ‘Cross’. And now Toyota’s very own hybrid technology for the first time.

The new hybrid engine does wonders for the Aygo X in power and efficiency. But there’s a threat from the numerous electric small cars hitting the market right now. So is the Toyota Aygo X still worth a look?

Toyota Aygo X Hybrid Review

Toyota Aygo X Design

Toyota has injected a lot of colour and character into the Aygo X to make it a fun small car. For 2026, the styling has been refreshed with a bolder front design and new headlights. The crossover-inspired design gets flared wheel arch cladding to add toughness and mini-SUV appeal to what is essentially a city car for nipping around in traffic. Measuring less than four metres in length, it’s ideal for town and city, while the high driving position gives a great view out.

There are three trim levels for Ireland: Pulse, Design and GR Sport. 17-inch alloy wheels come as standard though LED headlamps only come on Design and above.

A range of bright colours is available including Tokyo Gold and a bi-colour roof that extends dramatically into the rear wings.

GR Sport versions get motorsport-inspired design features like unique badging, 18-inch alloy wheels, meshed upper front grille and a striking black bonnet.

Toyota Aygo X Interior

The Aygo X gets an equally fun interior. Quality remains strong and is a reminder of larger models like the Yaris Cross and Corolla. The centre console has also been redesigned to incorporate the hybrid’s electronic parking brake and there’s a larger driver display.

The size of the touchscreen has been upgraded with a 9-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto as standard. GR Sport versions upgrade that to 10.5-inch.

The synthetic leather finished steering wheel feels great quality and adds to the feel of being in a bigger car.

Standard features include a parking camera and automatic air conditioning. Design versions add power folding side mirrors, wireless smartphone charging, ambient lighting and push button start.

GR Sport versions get dual zone climate control, heated front seats and upgraded seat upholstery.

There are also loads of advanced driver assistance features like lane departure assist, road sign assist and adaptive cruise control.

Toyota Aygo X Practicality

The Aygo X has a 231-litre boot, which is on the small side though not uncommon in the city car class. It is well designed with some depth to it and a flat floor. The rear seats can also be let down, though they don’t fold completely flat.

The Aygo X is a strict 4-seater. Again, not uncommon in the segment. However there is very little legroom  compared to a Hyundai Inster. The door openings are not that wide either, so access is awkward. The pop-out windows feel cheap and dated now too. There are Isofix points on the two rear seats.

Driving the Toyota Aygo X Hybrid

The Aygo X Hybrid replaces the petrol engine from earlier versions. It shares the same 1.5-litre petrol hybrid as the Yaris Hybrid and Yaris Cross. It’s a massive improvement in terms of power, refinement and of course fuel efficiency. The petrol Aygo X felt underpowered when faced with a hill but no such problems for the Aygo X Hybrid.

It has 116hp and feels much stronger and quieter than the outgoing model. 0-100kmh is 9.7 seconds but it’s a massive improvement over the former 1.0 petrol Aygo X. It’s responsive and refined, never getting too noisy thanks to better sound insulation.

Motor tax for this model is €180 per year. Fuel consumption is rated as low as 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres. which is possible to achieve in real world driving.

Otherwise the Aygo X Hybrid is great to drive. Suspension, brakes and steering have been updated to achieve a more engaging and responsive drive. A new advanced braking system now includes disc brakes on all four wheels. Steering control systems have been tuned for lighter feel and greater agility in city driving.

Comfort and refinement levels are good though it does get noisier in the cabin on larger roads out of town. Ride quality is generally good but it does get bumpier on rural roads.

But the best thing about the Aygo X Hybrid is that it’s fun to drive in a way small cars usually are. GR Sport versions like the one tested get MacPherson front suspension with special tuning, which may make it better to drive. But it’s certainly a car that exceeds expectations behind the wheel.

Toyota Aygo X Pricing

The Aygo X Hybrid is a better car than the previous 1.0-litre petrol, but the price has gone up. The Pulse starts from €24,520, the Design from €26,870 and the GR Sport from €30,870.

Verdict: Toyota Aygo X Hybrid

The 2026 Toyota Aygo X Hybrid is a big improvement for Toyota’s smallest car. The addition of the 1.5-litre hybrid engine transforms it from an underpowered city runabout into something far more capable, refined and efficient. It’s genuinely pleasant to drive both in town and on longer journeys, which wasn’t always the case with the old petrol-only version.

Compact dimensions, a raised driving position and light steering make it perfectly suited to city life, while the refreshed styling and colourful options give it character.

However, it’s not without compromises. Rear space is tight, the boot is small and it looks expensive in light of more affordable electric models coming to market.

Still, if you’re not ready to go electric and want a reliable, efficient and characterful small car, the Aygo X Hybrid is the best of the rest.

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Written by Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year