Page 40 - Blue Valley News August/September 2021

MOTORING

TOYOTA AGYA 1.0 TEST REVIEW

By Alan Rosenmeyer

A small hatchback is a of angles and creases in the bodywork. At the On the road, the car felt comfortable and
small hatchback . . . right? rear, it’s the lights again with unusual shapes stable at cruising speeds and handled my
and a distinctive L-pattern that immediately
favourite route through the twisties to
There’s a specific body stand out. A spoiler over the rear hatch Hartebeespoort with a touch of fun. By
shape, the size is within simply adds to the effect, plus the test car was keeping the revs up a bit, it never felt like
certain constraints and it decked out in bright, funky yellow livery with there was any lack of power.
has four doors and a rear contrasting black alloy wheels. The standard specification is high and
hatch. But then there’s the The cheerful theme continues in the interior includes air conditioning, ABS plus EBD, two
Agya that boasts some with bright patterns on the cloth seats plus airbags, and Isofix fittings in the rear. Add in
bold design aspects that the (optional) infotainment screen. As small push button stop/start, electric windows all
make it stand out. as the Agya appears on the outside, it feels round and alloy wheels and it adds up to a
comprehensive package.
much larger inside with abundant legroom
and headroom in the rear - plenty of space for
me, even with my hat on! All that said, however, my biggest complaint
ost of the mainstream manufacturers is the interior release for the rear hatch inside
have a small hatchback as the entry The boot is rated at 260l with the rear seats the driver’s door with no option to open the
Mpoint to their range, so what makes in place and, as with all hatchbacks, this can hatch from outside the car - not convenient
one different from another? What makes one be increased by dropping the rear seats if when you approach the car loaded with bags.
stand out above the crowd? necessary. A full size steel spare wheel is
found under the boot board. The current retail price is R178 600 plus R4 000
Recently, Toyota SA launched its new baby, for the infotainment system. A two service/
the Agya, and it immediately stands out The Agya is powered by a 1.0l 3-cylinder 20 000km service plan is included. BV
through some bold design aspects at the front petrol engine giving 49kW and 89Nm. This
and rear. Starting at the front, it has projector may sound modest, but with a kerb weight of Click here to watch our video review: https://
LED headlights set into a bold grille and lots only 835kg, I never found it wanting. The little www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN3SFKCUZSo
car was quite happy to cruise at 120km/h on
the freeway with an occasional downshift
needed when inclines were encountered.
Overall fuel consumption for the test was
6.2l/100km, a very acceptable figure that I’m
sure most owners will be able to match.

The 5-speed manual transmission driving
the front wheels is typically light and easy
in everyday driving. There is an automatic
option available as well, priced at a R14 000
premium.

38 • Issue 4 2021 • BLUE VALLEY NEWS