TOYOTA AYGO, YARIS

TOYOTA AYGO, YARIS sits in the cheap end of Toyota’s small-car range, the sort of thing city drivers and first-time buyers usually end up looking at. By our assessment, it is strongest as a straightforward way to get a compact hatchback that is easy to place on narrow streets and cheap to live with compared with bigger cars. The trade-off is plain space and modest punch: these are not cars for anyone who wants a roomy cabin or a relaxed long-distance cruiser. In practice they tend to feel light, tidy and uncomplicated, with the Aygo leaning more city-sized and the Yaris being the more grown-up of the two. Against rivals, the appeal is less drama and more everyday sense. It is a sensible choice for short trips, parking and low-stress ownership, and less appealing if the main need is comfort, performance or rear-seat room.