Toyota iQ 1.0 (2009) CAR review

Have just switched from a Smart to the IQ and find it more comfortable and relaxing.It offers more flexibility in carrying capacity and the turning circle is unbelievable. The wide passenger compartment is also a boon and makes the car feel full sized while the 3 cyl engine is quiet and unfussed.I opted for the CVT and find it very smooth and high geared in the e-co mode which should give good economy on a run. Comparing this with my Prius I expect the same or better economy on a trip but the Prius will have it beat for urban runs due to the hybrid advantage. Any car in this category designed for urban use should be an EV or at very least a hybrid otherwise the advantage of size and manouverability looses out to economy. One negative comment from another contributor I find hard to believe concerning headroom, I am 6' 2" and have plenty of headroom.  I would suggest reclining the seat back slightly if this is a problem as some sit bolt upright. The IQ is just what it says it is a three plus one and shouldn't be compared with regular four seaters or expected to have boot space when carrying all passengers. Its basically a two seater of minimal footprint with some versatility built in and after using it I find I am using the Prius less and less.  

I have test driven the 6 speed manual and multifrive 1.33 versions of the iQ3. I thought it was a great drive with both. Much better than the Smart Four Two. We only have 3 in our family, 2 adults and 1 8 year old. Therefore it would be fine for our purposes as a second car, rather than drive around in a 4 x 4 double cab pickup all the time. I have heard its very good in the snow too.

I had a test drive of the 1.3 lt IQ and was plesently suprised. The ride was much better than expected and performance was more than adequate. Now I am on my second Toyota Hilux, the 1st being a non turbo 2.8lt import that I owned for 8 years and the 2nd a 2.5lt turbo D4D. The IQ would out pace the 2.8lt and probably the turbo D4D as well.

My wife owns a soft top Suzuki GV2000 and the ride by comparison in the IQ is like a Rolls Royce.

You might be wondering why I am looking at an IQ? Well my wife works weekends and uses her car,  I work in the building industry and don't want to drive my fuel hungry work horse at the weekends, sometimes full of materials. I know the IQ only has 3 seats, which is ok for us, as we only have 1 son. So if my wife is off we have fuel efficient vehicle for trips into London.

Because the IQ is short, we can park all 3 vehicles on our drive. Anything longer and it will go on the road.

Yes it is expensive if you compare the size with other cars, but the quality and extra gadgets are worth it.

I was considering a Smart, but the extra seat in the IQ makes it a better choice for the 3 of us.