Toyota Gets SMART With the iQ; Sells it as a Scion in the US

[Moglet]

Can you really blame them? The iQ is ridiculously expensive for such a small car. A Yaris offers so much more for the money, even if it's not that special a design compared to the iQ. If you put an equivalent-engined Aygo next to an iQ, it'd be about £2k cheaper. Probably more. For something with two more doors and a bigger interior. And probably cheaper to repair too.

Yup, when I read the pricing when it first came out I thought there had been a printing mistake. The iQ cost just £50 less than my 500. Even then, my 500 isn't the basic model either, it's the Lounge with all the nifty extra bits.

Which is probably why I've seen 2 iQs since release but countless Yaris'.

 

[Jondot]

Can you really blame them? The iQ is ridiculously expensive for such a small car. A Yaris offers so much more for the money, even if it's not that special a design compared to the iQ.

Oh definitely not, of the two I'd pick the Yaris every time. But I just assumed that was because I hated the iQ with a passion.

If you put an equivalent-engined Aygo next to an iQ, it'd be about £2k cheaper. Probably more. For something with two more doors and a bigger interior. And probably cheaper to repair too.

Actually it sort of wouldn't. If you specced a 3dr Aygo to the same level as the iQ (alloys, electric windows, aircon) it'd be £9,995 - exactly the same price as the iQ. So provided you want a small car with a reasonable number of toys (like moi), the iQ does start to make sense.

Though I'd still opt for the Aygo. Well actually I'd get a C1, but that's besides the point.

Of course my money wouldn't go on any of the Toyotas, it'd go on a Smart.

As would mine were Smart to sort out the hideously awful gearbox.

 

[homeforsummer]

Yup, when I read the pricing when it first came out I thought there had been a printing mistake. The iQ cost just £50 less than my 500. Even then, my 500 isn't the basic model either, it's the Lounge with all the nifty extra bits.

Which is probably why I've seen 2 iQs since release but countless Yaris'.

I know, the price per square inch for the iQ is a bit of a joke. It's a nice enough car but you're really paying a premium for a bit of city chic.

Actually it sort of wouldn't. If you specced a 3dr Aygo to the same level as the iQ (alloys, electric windows, aircon) it'd be £9,995 - exactly the same price as the iQ. So provided you want a small car with a reasonable number of toys (like moi), the iQ does start to make sense.

Really? I've not tried seeing what an Aygo would cost if you specced it up, but then it sort of goes against the point of it being a cheap'n'cheerful if you did so.

And even if they were matched on price, the Aygo performs better, weighs less, has more space, and doesn't have a ridiculous second gear that takes you to about 70mph. I'm pretty sure the iQ's daft gearing is the only reason it's quoted fuel consumption is better - and to me, having a massively long box of gears sort of defeats the purpose in a city car.

Though I'd still opt for the Aygo. Well actually I'd get a C1, but that's besides the point.

Well, ditto. The same car for less money? I'm surprised Toyota sells any Aygos at all.

As would mine were Smart to sort out the hideously awful gearbox.

I've not driven a Smart yet but I don't see myself being too bothered by the 'box. There are enough owners who don't seem to mind. I suppose it depends what you want from a car.

Incidentally, I intend to drive a Smart and iQ very soon, now that my car works again and I can make it to dealerships in the area.

 

[YSSMAN]

In a rather surprising move, Scion had an iQ in Chicago this weekend, and were letting people get in and out of the car...

While I understand that some people think the car to be brilliant, I have to say that I was not entirely sure what to think of the vehicle. It is definitely small on the outside, and decently proportioned on the inside. The overall quality of the vehicle seems pretty decent, if anything slightly on the cheaper side of the spectrum. What surprised me most was the fact that there were back seats, and the fact that they may be useful, but ultimately will spend more time carrying cargo than people.

Other than that, Scion really wasn't talking too much about the car. They're selling it, sooner than later, but their focus is on the tC right now. I didn't learn much about the kind of engine they're packing in, or what kind of transmission it has, or how much it will be. But, of all the city cars that I've been in that are going for the high MPG, high functionality end of the market, the iQ seems like a much more reasonable option than the Smart ForTwo.