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My test model was a special edition x-press which had an upgraded connectivity pack and costs £12,630. This version, like all the others, is powered by a 1.0 litre 72 hp petrol engine with 5 speed manual gearbox (an automatic is available). The manual version returns 68.9 mph combined and has emissions of just 93 g/ km. Top speed is 99 mph and the 0-60 mph time 13.8 seconds. This eye-catching model comes with stand-out gloss black alloys, contrasting colour accents to the sides, doors and roof, DAB radio, Bluetooth, automatic air conditioning, a 7-inch touch screen multi-
media system, smartphone integration, rear privacy glass, auto headlights, front fog-lamps, daytime running lights, front power windows, reversing camera, tyre pressure monitor, and 6 airbags among its extensive kit-list. The multimedia system uses a touchscreen
THE AYGO HAS A COOL AND
integrated into the instrument panel, with the main menu displaying a clear simple menu which is very user-friendly. For a city car, the cabin is more spacious than you might expect, and the 198-litre boot is adequate for normal needs. Out and about, the Aygo is very pleasant
CLASSY PERSONA THAT MANY CITY CARS LACK
to drive, and while its 0-60 mph time is not that quick, it doesn’t feel sluggish and proves very nimble in traffic and when parking. Summing up, the Aygo has a cool
and classy persona that many city cars lack, and its trendy features will help attract younger buyers but not offend the more mature. Add to the mix Toyota’s proven reputation for reliability and strong re-sale values and it underlines why the Aygo is such a popular choice in a very competitive market sector.
HONDA HR-V
WHEN HONDA’S HR-V WAS LAUNCHED 20 YEARS AGO, IT WAS ONE OF THE PIONEERING SUV MODELS WHICH HELPED ESTABLISH A SECTOR WHICH IS NOW THE FASTEST-GROWING IN EUROPE. The latest HR-V has clever styling which gives a
sculpted coupe look while still having four doors – the handles of the rear doors are disguised. Available with a 1.5 litre petrol engine or a 1.6 litre diesel, the hr-V is priced from £19,995 and offers class-leading interior space. Entry-level S models are quite well
ON THE ROAD, THE HR-V PROVES TO BE ONE OF THE
kitted, with alloy wheels, climate control, cruise control, DAB radio and Bluetooth all standard, though most buyers go for the mid-range SE model with extra equipment including an infotainment centre with enhanced connectivity features. My test model was a top-spec EX version which adds leather interior, panoramic opening glass roof, rear view camera, roof rails, sat-nav and rear privacy glass among extra kit. This model, with the 1.6 litre 120 hp diesel engine and manual gearbox costs £27,115. Top speed is 119 mph, 0-60 mph time 10.5 seconds, fuel economy impressive at 68.9 mpg combined. Emissions are 108 g/km. The driving position is slightly lower than in some
SUVs but there is still good forward vision. Seating is very comfortable and all but the tallest rear seat occupants gets good head and leg-room.
BEST-HANDLING IN THE COMPACT SUV SECTOR.
The dashboard is logically laid out and the cabin exudes a quality appearance and a sense of durability. Boot space is very good at 470 litres, expandable to a substanwtive 1,533 litres with the
rear seats folded – simple to operate thanks to what Honda describes as its ‘magic’ folding system which is more versatile than most and also allows the front passenger seat to fold flat to load very long items. On the road, the HR-V proves to be one of the best- handling in the compact SUV sector. The steering is nicely-weighted and responsive, giving a great feeling of control. On the corners the car is very composed thanks to a firm suspension set-up, though ride quality is slightly compromised on rougher surfaces. Rivals are plentiful in this class but the HR-V has
two ace cards to play – it has more striking styling than most and is backed by Honda’s near-legendary reliability record.
All quoted prices were correct at time of going to press
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