Toyota Aygo X GR Sport Review: Testing the Last City Car Standing from Kolín
The Toyota Aygo X, manufactured at the plant in Kolín, Czech Republic, stands nearly alone in Europe’s shrinking entry-level car segment as tightening regulations and safety mandates price traditional mini-cars out of production, according to reporting by Novinky and Auto.cz.
Production in Kolín and Market Shrinkage
Once crowded with affordable urban models like the Hyundai i10 and Skoda Citigo, Europe’s A-segment has steadily contracted. According to Novinky, regulatory pressures forcing automakers to equip cars with mandatory safety assistants have made building genuinely inexpensive small cars economically unviable. Toyota remains one of the few brands maintaining a presence in the class, shifting the third-generation Aygo X toward a crossover stance with larger wheels and protective cladding built next to the larger Yaris in Kolín, as reported by Novinky and Auto.cz.
Design and Interior Features of the GR Sport Trim
The GR Sport trim level brings a distinct visual identity, featuring a two-tone paint scheme with a black hood and roof contrasting with bright body colors like yellow, according to Auto.cz. Inside, the cabin balances sporty elements with hard plastics. According to Auto.cz, the driver grips a perforated synthetic leather steering wheel while sitting on seats upholstered in fabric, synthetic leather, and eco-suede. Novinky notes that the vehicle preserves a surprisingly spacious front row, while the rear doors offer practical access despite limited legroom and a modest cargo capacity ranging between 189 and 231 liters depending on audio equipment.
Safety Assist Technology and Cabin Ergonomics
Modern regulatory requirements introduce strict safety systems inside the cabin, including an infrared driver-monitoring camera mounted above the steering column. According to Auto.cz, the emergency driving stop system and driver attention monitor track blinking frequency and head position, triggering acoustic alerts and dashboard warnings if a driver looks away for two to three seconds or slumps in the seat. Auto.cz reports that disabling these alerts requires navigating deep into the instrument cluster menu after every engine start. Meanwhile, the 10.5-inch infotainment screen supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto alongside physical climate controls, while power windows lack an automatic one-touch descent feature, according to Novinky and Auto.cz.
