When the Aygo was launched seven years ago, it was one of the best cars you could buy. However, things have moved on significantly since then, so-along with its Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107 siblings- the Aygo has been given a much-needed update.

Cosmetic changes include a more angular bonnet and a wider front bumper with restyled upper and lower grilles, while inside there’s a new steering wheel, gearstick and radio. More significantly, the Aygo now produces just 99g/km of CO2 (down from 105g/km), which means it’s exempt from road tax and the London Congestion Charge Fuel efficiency is also up by 3mpg to 65.7mpg.

Two new models have been added to the range: the Fire, for those after a sporty look; and the Ice, which offers more comfort and onboard connectivity. Either way, the driving experience is as it was, so the Aygo is most at home in town, where the engine feels sprightly, and the steering, clutch and gearbox are undemanding, but the ride is hard.

The Toyota Aygo is a stylish supermini that gets some good reviews. Critics quite like the little Aygo, with praise being given to the smart looks, nippy handling and affordability. The build quality and spaciousness of the interior is a bit behind the times now, but the Aygo is still a likeable and perfectly suitable little car.

The Aygo is, on face value, quite good value. It’s priced well, it’s affordable to run and it insurance costs should be quite low. However, despite some novel features like BlueTooth and a sat-nav as standard on certain trim levels, there isn’t a huge amount of kit on the base models. It should keep its value come re-sale time, and it comes with a 5 year warranty.

As a city car, the Aygo is a very accomplished piece of machinery. The steering is light, which makes parking and low speed manoeuvrability a doddle, though one critic thought that it was on the sluggish side. Visibility is also good, though a bit restrictive towards the side and rear.

At higher speeds, there were some disappointments with the refinement, but a few thought it was an acceptable compromise given that the Aygo was engineered primarily for urban use. . Despite getting on a bit, the Aygo still feels as fresh as a daisy. It’s good to look at, enjoyable to drive and isn’t too expensive to buy and run.

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The Toyota Aygo has been given a mid-life refresh for 2012, in the same vein as its sister cars, the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107.

There are subtle cosmetic changes, a cleaner, more economical engine, and two new variants: the Fire, designed for those who want something sporty, and the Ice, that we tested, which offers more comfort and on-board connectivity.

The Aygo's new front end includes a wider bumper, redesigned upper and lower grilles, and a more angular bonnet. LED daytime running lights come as standard on the Fire version.

Under the bonnet, the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine is now cleaner and more efficient. With CO2 emissions of just 99g/km, the 2012 Aygo is exempt from road tax and London's Congestion Charge. Fuel economy is up by 3mpg, to an average of 65.7mpg.

What's the 2012 Toyota Aygo like to drive?
Extremely similar to the model it replaces, which is hardly surprising given that it's virtually identical. This means that the Aygo is best suited to towns and cities; the steering is light and has an excellent turning circle, although it's a bit vague. Stop-start city traffic is bearable, too, because the clutch operation is effortless and gearchanges are smooth.

Take to faster roads, though, and the Aygo needs to be worked hard to keep up with traffic. The car's small engine and long gearing blunt its progress, so overtaking requires plenty of advance planning.

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