Car of the Year Awards 2026: New Toyota Aygo X Hybrid Wins Small Car of the Year

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The all-new Toyota Aygo X Hybrid has been named Small Car of the Year in the 2026 WhatCar? Awards, in recognition of its ground-breaking status, owner-appeal and class-leading qualities that will keep running costs down. 

The new model, launched at the end of 2025, is the first in the A-segment for small/city cars to adopt a full hybrid system. Toyota applied engineering and design expertise gained through more than a quarter of a century of hybrid technology leadership to accommodate the powertrain with Aygo X’s compact dimensions.  

As a result, the Aygo X Hybrid delivers the lowest CO2 emissions of any non-plug-in car on the market – 87g/km – and the best official fuel economy figures. Its performance reinforces the effectiveness of Toyota’s multipath technology approach, which offers customers a range of electrified powertrain options – full hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, battery electric and fuel cell electric – to meet their personal requirements and secure sustainable reductions in emissions towards ultimate carbon neutrality. 

Steve Huntingford, WhatCar? Editor, said: “Officially, the Toyota Aygo X Hybrid averages almost 75mpg, but our experience suggests that, if anything, this figure is conservative in stop-start traffic. It’s also a surprisingly nippy car, feeling perfectly at home on the motorway. Meanwhile, the linear power delivery makes smooth driving a cinch.  

“The fantastic performance of the Aygo X in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey only adds to its appeal, with it achieving a 99.7% dependability rating.” 

The result follows WhatCar?’s five-star review in which the model is praised for taking “one giant step” in adopting full hybrid power, putting it “in a class of its own”. When it comes to ownership costs and customer peace of mind, the review praises Toyota’s excellent reliability record and a warranty that offers up to 10 years or 100,000 miles of cover, subject to an annual service at an authorised Toyota workshop*. 

The Aygo X Hybrid is available in four equipment grades – Icon, Design, Excel and GR Sport, priced from £21,595 on-the-road. Customers can find full information and configure their car at www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/aygo-x.  

Aygo X Hybrid fixed price insurance 

The new Aygo X Hybrid is included in Toyota’s fixed price insurance offer. Cars purchased and delivered to retail customers before 31 March 2026 can take advantage of a Toyota price promise that provides fully comprehensive cover for £450 per year, a price that’s guaranteed not to increase for three years subject to the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions, which are available at Toyota Fixed Price Insurance | Car Insurance | Toyota UK. 

*For details, terms and conditions visit https://www.toyota.co.uk/owners/toyota-warranty