Toyota Aygo X GR Sport Review

The Aygo X GR Sport looks like no other small car in Ireland, and in Tokyo Gold Bi-tone that contrast between the bold yellow bodywork and gloss black roof, bonnet and cladding on our test car (€675)is genuinely head-turning. Toyota has leaned into the crossover-influenced proportions of the Aygo X with the GR Sport treatment, adding a more aggressive front bumper, GR-badged sill extensions, a rear spoiler and, on the tested car, 18-inch bi-tone black and machined-face alloy wheels in a five-double-spoke design that suit the car's attitude well. It is a small car that doesn't try to look invisible, and for style-conscious city drivers that is a significant part of the appeal. Nine colour options are available, with the bi-tone finish standard across GR Sport variants.

Inside, the GR Sport specification announces itself clearly: black synthetic suede and leather upholstery with grey fabric bolsters and embossed GR logos give the cabin a sportier feel than the standard Aygo X. The driving position is good, the steering wheel well-weighted, and the overall layout straightforward to use. Toyota's 9-inch touchscreen handles navigation and smartphone connectivity via wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The honest caveat is that at this price point — €30,870 as tested — interior material quality is not class-leading. Hard plastics feature heavily, and the cabin feel does not quite match the premium that the GR Sport badge and price tag imply. For city commuters, this is unlikely to be a daily frustration. For buyers cross-shopping against the Volkswagen Polo or Skoda Fabia, it is worth a back-to-back comparison.

Practicality is where the Aygo X makes compromises that buyers need to understand. The 231-litre boot is functional for urban errands but will test patience on a Lidl run with a full family load. Rear seat legroom is adequate for shorter journeys but tight for taller adults. This is, ultimately, a car that prioritises driver enjoyment and urban agility over family carrying capacity — and it is worth being clear-eyed about that.

This is where the Aygo X GR Sport most exceeds expectations. The 1.5-litre TNGA self-charging hybrid — the same unit shared with the Yaris — delivers a combination of responsiveness and refinement that belies the car's modest dimensions. The Multidrive 7 CVT transmission manages the transition between electric and petrol power smoothly, and in urban conditions the car slips into EV mode frequently enough to make a genuine difference to real-world fuel economy. Through city streets and on winding roads, the Aygo X GR Sport feels alert and willing: the steering is direct, body roll well controlled, and the ride firm but not uncomfortable on typical Irish urban surfaces. It is, genuinely, fun to drive in a way that few cars at this price point manage.

Motorway cruising is competent rather than inspired — wind noise is noticeable at higher speeds and the powertrain works harder when sustained motorway speeds are required. The Aygo X GR Sport is a car optimised for the urban-to-regional use case that most Irish commuters actually live, rather than for cross-country motorway travel.

For Irish city commuters, the Aygo X GR Sport's ownership costs are straightforward and genuinely competitive. WLTP fuel consumption of 3.8 litres per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 87 g/km place it in the lowest motor tax band at €120 per year. As a self-charging hybrid, there are no home charging infrastructure costs to factor in — the system manages its own energy recovery through regenerative braking. Toyota's service intervals and the combination of a five-year manufacturer warranty and Toyota's Relax Warranty programme, which extends coverage on vehicles serviced at Toyota dealerships, provide a solid ownership safety net. Real-world fuel economy in mixed Irish driving is likely to come in between 4.0 and 4.8 litres per 100 km depending on driving style and route — still among the best in segment.

The most natural alternatives for Irish buyers are the Volkswagen Polo (more interior space and premium feel, but higher running costs) and the Renault Clio E-Tech Hybrid (comparable hybrid efficiency, larger boot, but less driving character). For buyers whose priority is outright practicality over driving enjoyment, the Clio is worth a serious look. For those who want a car with personality and low running costs that suits city life, the Aygo X GR Sport has a clear and convincing answer.

The Aygo X holds a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating from 2025 — a strong result for a car of this size and price point. Active safety technology is where it particularly stands out: the autonomous emergency braking system performs well in tests involving pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles, a lane support system intervenes if the car drifts out of lane, and a driver fatigue monitoring system is fitted as standard. The safety assistance technology score is notably high, placing it ahead of many larger and more expensive cars in this regard.

On passive safety, the picture is more mixed. Side impact protection is excellent, with maximum points scored in both the side barrier and side pole tests. The frontal offset test tells a more nuanced story — chest and knee/femur protection for the driver was rated as marginal, and lower leg protection as weak. For the vast majority of real-world urban incidents this will not be a deciding factor, but it is worth noting for buyers who place crash protection at the top of their criteria.

Irish Pricing (2026):

• Toyota Aygo X GR SPORT — from €30,195
• As tested (Tokyo Gold Bi-tone metallic paint) — €30,870
• Annual motor tax — €120