Page 22 - The Villager September 2021
P. 22

Motoring



                 toYota agYa 1.0 teSt review





                                                      BY ALAN ROSeNMeYeR




















            A small hatchback is a small hatchback . . . right? There's a specific body
            shape, the size is within certain constraints and it has four doors and a rear
            hatch. But then there's the Agya that boasts some bold design aspects
            that make it stand out.




                     ost of the mainstream    much larger inside with abundant   as well, priced at a R14 000 premium.
                     manufacturers have a small   legroom and headroom in the rear -   On the road, the car felt comfortable
            Mhatchback as the entry           plenty of space for me, even with my   and  stable  at  cruising  speeds  and
            point to their range, so what makes   hat on!                      handled my favourite  route  through
            one different from another?  What   The boot is rated at 260l with the   the twisties to Hartebeespoort with a
            makes one stand out above the crowd?  rear  seats  in  place  and,  as  with  all   touch of fun. By keeping the revs up a
              Recently,  Toyota SA launched   hatchbacks, this can be increased by   bit, it never felt like there was any lack
            their new baby, the Agya, and it   dropping the rear seats if necessary.   of power.
            immediately stands out through    A full size steel spare wheel is found   The standard specification is high
            some  bold  design  aspects  at  the   under the boot board.       and includes air-conditioning, ABS
            front  and  rear.  Starting at the  front,   The Agya is powered by a 1.0l   plus EBD, two airbags, and Isofix
            it has projector LED headlights set   3-cylinder  petrol  engine  giving  49kW   fittings in the rear. Add in push button
            into a bold grille and lots of angles   and  89Nm.  This  may  sound  modest,   stop/start, electric windows all round
            and creases in the bodywork. At the   but with a kerb weight of only 835kg,   and alloy wheels and it adds up to a
            rear, it's the lights, again with unusual   I never found it wanting. The little car   comprehensive package.
            shapes and a distinctive L-pattern,   was quite happy to cruise at 120km/h   All that said, however, my biggest
            that immediately stand out. A spoiler   on the freeway with an occasional   complaint is the interior release for
            over the rear hatch simply adds to the   downshift needed when inclines were   the rear hatch inside the driver’s door
            effect plus the test car was decked   encountered. Overall fuel consumption   with no option to open the hatch from
            out in bright, funky yellow livery with   for the test was 6.2l/100km, a very   outside the car - not convenient when
            contrasting black alloy wheels.   acceptable  figure  that  I'm  sure  most   you approach the car loaded with
              The  cheerful  theme  continues  in   owners will be able to match.  bags.
            the interior with bright patterns on   The 5-speed manual transmission   The current retail price is R178 600
            the  cloth  seats  plus  the  (optional)   driving the front wheels is typically   plus R4 000 for the infotainment
            infotainment screen. As small as the   light and easy in everyday driving.   system. A two service/20 000km
            Agya appears on the outside, it feels   There is an automatic option available   service plan is included.



               Here’s the link to our video review:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN3SFKCUZSo



             20  •  Issue 9  2021  •  The Villager


                                                                                                                          A4-Template-PRINT.indd   1                                                                               2021/06/17   13:12:12
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