Picture this: a 47-year-old London gal, born and raised with Caribbean roots, cruising through the city with Reggae music pumping and a style that screams you. That’s me, a mum and nan who’s lived a full life, and the Toyota Aygo X JBL Special Edition had me feeling like I was on a Notting Hill Carnival float. I had this car for a week during a scorching June heatwave, and let me tell you, it brought more spice than a jerk chicken marinade.
Let’s start with the looks. The Toyota Aygo x JBL is small but striking; this car’s got presence. The two-tone colour (a soft silver with lilac undertones) paired with the glossy black roof had me catching glances at every red light.
I loved the X-shape detail at the front and rear light clusters—a subtle but clever nod to its design DNA. And those 18″ matt black and mandarina alloy wheels all tie together beautifully with the contrasting orange highlights and that cheeky JBL badge on the back. A little wink that says, “I might be small, but I came to play.”
The Interior
I wasn’t expecting much inside, but I was pleasantly surprised. The cabin is compact, yet the cockpit-style dashboard and high seating position make you feel like the queen of the road. The seats are part-leather, part-fabric with a geometric pattern and lilac stitching that matched the outside and there’s this little slot in the door for your keys—such a minor detail, but so helpful. No more digging through your bag like you’re on Supermarket Sweep.
Tech That Keeps Up With You
The 9” HD touchscreen was fab—clear, fast, and simple to use with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless Spotify sessions. I took hands-free calls, bumped my playlists, and got Google Maps on-screen without hassle. There’s even a built-in SOS emergency button, which gave me peace of mind—not that I needed it, but still nice to know.
The reversing camera and parking sensors are lifesavers when you’re weaving through London’s tight streets like you’re dodging crowds at Carnival. You also get Toyota Safety Sense features that have your back with adaptive cruise control, lane departure alerts, automatic high beams, and pre-collision warnings.
Under the hood
The 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine with 72 hp isn’t winning any drag races, but it’s got heart. It’s nimble, light, and perfect for zipping through London. Parking? Easy. Visibility? Crystal clear. And it’s so fuel-efficient, I put £10 in, did an 80-mile round trip to Brighton, and still had change in the tank.
On the motorway, the 1.0-litre engine does work a bit harder. It’s not built for racing, but it’s more than capable of holding steady at 70mph, and at these speeds, I never felt unsafe.
Around town, it was smooth, light to steer, and easy to park. And you know London roads are no joke—tight lanes, dodgy double-parkers, and delivery vans that act like they’re in Fast & Furious—but the Aygo held its own.
JBL Sound
Now THIS is where the Aygo X JBL shines. That JBL sound system is a game changer. Toyota has managed to tuck five speakers, a subwoofer, and a 300W amp into a car this size. The bass had weight, vocals were crisp, and my playlists never sounded better. It’s car karaoke heaven, with bass that hits harder than your first sip of Wray & Nephew lol.
Only complaint? I wish I had an equaliser to tweak the sound a little more, especially on tracks with heavy mids. And when I turned the engine off, the music stopped completely unless I pressed start again. Small thing, but still… let the vibe live! But honestly, most won’t care when they’re vibing to Beyonce or a bit of old-school Garage.
Back Seat Reality Check
Now, if you’ve got a tall passenger (my man’s 6’1”), then forget using the seat behind him. Legroom gets sacrificed for front comfort—but that’s expected in a car this size. It’s not made for road-tripping with four grown adults. Think of it more as a two-seater with “emergency seats” in the back. However, with the back seats folded down, I got two deck chairs, a beach bag, and snacks for the road in the boot with no drama.
The Verdict
The Toyota Aygo X JBL is a whole mood. Stylish, compact, practical, and fun. It’s the perfect car for city life, quick escapes, or just rolling through town with your tunes up and the windows down. It won’t fit your whole carnival crew, but for solo drives or day dates? It delivers, without breaking the bank; this one’s a gem.
Is it perfect? Not quite. But it’s got enough personality to make you smile, and that sound system alone makes it worth a spin.
Would I drive it again? 100% yes, in a heartbeat. With the windows down and the bass up, mi love it.
For more info on the Toyota Aygo x JBL visit toyota.co.uk
Written by Isha Foster