FORGET prescription drugs, or herbal remedies, if you're after something to fix a permanent smile on your face, then look no further than the small, but perfectly formed Toyota Aygo.

The little A-segment wonder has been on our roads since 2005, and has been transforming the lives of city drivers ever since. Despite its somewhat waspish looks, there's no sting in its tail as the tiny tot delivers big on style, driving dynamics and low running costs.

Developed with Peugeot and Citroen, the Toyota Aygo (pronounced i-go) is part of a trio of city cars, alongside the 107 and C1 that have been developed specifically for the urban youth market. It's easy to dismiss such vehicles as mere cupboards on wheels, but a stint behind the wheel of the tiny Toyota will soon challenge any negative preconceptions about budget motoring. Just because it's small and affordable, does not mean that quality and equipment levels have been compromised. In fact, it is easily the best built motor in its class, and could even be said to give upper class models a run for their money.

Standard kit includes a sound system with CD player, speed-sensitive power steering, a folding rear seatback to increase load space, heated rear window with wiper and a tilt adjustable steering column. There is also a handy socket to connect your own MP3 player that is sure to please the i-pod generation. Safety features haven't been neglected either. High levels of active and passive safety has led the Aygo to score four out of the five stars in the EuroNCAP crash tests and ABS, driver and passenger airbags, a Bosch ABS system with EBD and headlights that are claimed to provide class-leading illumination are all standard fit on Aygo. For those who want a little extra, the Aygo+ introduces electric windows, a 50:50 split folding rear seat with adjustable headrests and ISOFIX child seat anchor points, side airbags, remote central locking, colour matched door handles and mirrors, plus a boosted audio pack with additional rear speakers and front tweeters.

Build quality is seriously impressive. Close your eyes, and you could be fooled into thinking you were sitting in a cabin usually found in cars several classes up. It is quite possibly the best-built A-segment car currently on the market. And, with the amount of room it offers, it could easily claim the title of being one of the cleverest.

No doubt it's thanks to the Japanese skill of making the best possible use of limited spaces in urban environments that has so ingeniously influenced the interior design of the Aygo, providing up to 164 litres of storage space in total and achieving a roomy space that will comfortably sit four occupants. The same can't be said for the tiny boot however, although its luggage capacity is ample for life in the city.

Although the interior has been built to cost, it both feels and looks durable while a sharkskin grain finish for the dashboard means that the Aygo successfully avoids the cheap, tacky plastic finishes that are so often associated with budget-buy cars. The interior initially feels rather sparse, but a cursory glance around the wide, light cabin reveals that it contains all that you need, it's just been intelligently arranged thanks to space saving features and positioning. The fact that the car's body colour carries through to the interior door trim helps to liven up the cabin. Unlike most five door models, the Aygo successfully manages to retain the dynamic appearance of the three-door model, so much so that it almost comes as a surprise to discover there are an additional two passenger doors at the back.

The burbling sound of the engine masks the fact that the Toyota is fitted with a 1.0-litre engine. As puny as this seems, don't assume that the Aygo is sluggish. It is anything but. Producing 67bhp, the three cylinder VVT-i petrol unit is more than capable of shifting the car's light kerb weight of 790kgs, and does so in a lively and peppy way, much more so than the 0-62 figure of 14.2 seconds suggests.

A 4.73 metre turning radius, coupled with electric power steering that feels light at low speeds, means its set up is ideally suited to city life and traffic, resulting in an extremely versatile and easy to park vehicle.

Although the ride is firm, the compromise between ride and handling is still very good and the Aygo has an undeniably well-behaved and trustworthy chassis. Its wide stance, due to the positioning of each wheel right up to the corners, means the Toyota is stable at higher speeds and it's not easily intimidated by the bigger cars ploughing their way up and down the motorways. In fact, with a top speed of 98mph, the little bug is capable of delivering a confident and secure ride, even in the fast lane.

Offered in three or five-door forms, there are eight models to choose from, with OTR prices starting at £6,845 for the entry-level model, the Aygo is the epitome of budget motoring.

FACTS AT A GLANCE
  • Model: Toyota Aygo+, £7,595.
  • Engine: 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol unit developing 67bhp and 93Nm of torque.
  • Transmission: 5-speed manual, front wheel drive.
  • Performance: Top speed 98mph, 0-62mph 14.2 seconds
  • CO2 emissions: 109g/km
  • Economy: 22.1mpg