The Agya enters the market shortly after the Starlet, which follows a similar recipe and is a rebadged version of the Suzuki Baleno. The Starlet has proven very popular in South Africa and sold over 1 000 units in its first month.

The Agya is based on Daihatsu’s Ayla and will replace Toyota’s current Aygo. The Aygo, in turn was a collaboration between Toyota and the French and a similar vehicle to the Peugeot 108 and Citroën C1.

Ayla, like in the Daihatsu, means “light” in Sanskrit, a language spoken in South Asia, while Agya, like in Toyota, means “fast.” Aygo, like in the Toyota been replaced, simply means “I-go” symbolising freedom and mobility.

The Agya will compete in a very tough cost-sensitive segment of the market and Toyota has managed to offer the Agya for slightly less than the model it replaces. The new model also has a long list of features and benefits, including anti-lock brakes (ABS) enhanced by electronic brake force distribution, 14-inch alloy wheels, driver and front passenger airbags and the option of an automatic transmission.

Under the bonnet is a 998 cm³, three-cylinder, fuel-injected petrol engine with 49 kW and 89 Nm torque. The engine is mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or a self-shifting four-speed automatic transmission. Toyota claims a fuel consumption figure of 4.8 l/100 km and a 0-100 km/h sprint in 14.6 seconds and 4.9 l/100 km and 16.3 seconds for the automatic version.

On models with audio, the Agya’s double-DIN touchscreen multimedia unit features CD, Bluetooth, auxiliary and USB connectivity. An optional touchscreen audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality will be available to customers as a dealer-fitted option.

All models are prepared for the use of Toyota Connect, which provides Wi-Fi connectivity to smart devices as well as a host of connected online services; and 15Gb of complimentary data. Once linked to the MyToyota App, owners can make on-demand service bookings, retrieve vehicle usage information (logbook), renew vehicle licenses, review tracking data, request roadside assistance and more.

With the introduction of the Agya, Toyota has also partnered with Vodacom to introduce new digital services to the MyConnect platform, called MyEntertainment. This service includes Vodacom’s Videoplay (Video streaming) and MyMuze (Music streaming) services.

Model line-up and pricing (November 2020): Agya MT (R178 600), Agya AT (R192 500), Agya MT - with audio – (R182 400) and the Agya AT - with audio – (R196 300).

Competitors include the Peugeot 108, Suzuki Celerio, Suzuki Swift, Renault Kwid, Datsun Go, Mahindra KUV 100 NXT, Kia Picanto and the Hyundai Grand i10.