Verdict

It’s virtually a decade for the reason that final iQs have been bought new within the UK, however that is nonetheless a automotive that has loads of enchantment for individuals who need a small city runabout that’s low cost to run and gives a contact of luxurious into the cut price. Splendidly agile, decently refined, straightforward to park and low cost to run, the iQ has quite a bit going for it. We ran one on our long-term fleet and beloved it, as a result of it’s such a multi-talented metropolis automotive, however as a brand new purchase it was held again by Toyota’s formidable pricing. Now that the iQ could be very a lot a used automotive, costs are way more wise. Simply ensure you take it on an prolonged take a look at drive to test that the tiny Toyota isn’t too small to suit into your life.

Toyota is without doubt one of the world’s largest automotive makers, but in addition had a popularity for being probably the most conservative. With their secure designs and so-so dynamics, the agency’s vehicles have been nice for reliability, however they typically struggled to set the heart beat racing.

Nevertheless, Toyota embraced hybrid know-how many years earlier than just about everybody else (Honda being the important thing exception), and it has produced fairly a couple of fans’ vehicles through the years. It additionally hasn’t been afraid to innovate, with one in every of its most attention-grabbing autos being the iQ metropolis automotive that arrived virtually 15 years in the past. At lower than three metres lengthy however with the consolation of one thing larger, the iQ supplied excellent city transport.

Historical past

The iQ arrived in January 2009, in 67bhp 1.0-litre kind, with a alternative of two trim ranges and handbook or Multidrive CVT automated transmissions.

The 1.33-litre iQ launched in July 2009 supplied a helpful enhance in efficiency, with 97bhp and 92lb ft of torque; it got here in range-topping 3 trim solely, although. Across the similar time, Toyota introduced a partnership with Aston Martin to create a brand new iQ-based luxurious metropolis automotive – the Cygnet.

A variety of contemporary inside finishes (together with black leather-based) and exterior paint colors have been launched in July 2010, when each of the iQ’s engine selections grew to become Euro 5-compliant. Customisation choices appeared in January 2012, together with half a dozen totally different decals for the outside, together with a six-strong vary of colors for individuals who opted for the leather-trim improve.

Which one ought to I purchase?

The important thing selections when contemplating the acquisition of a Toyota iQ are which engine and transmission to go for. The 1.33-litre unit is extra muscular on the high finish than the 1.0 litre, however the smaller engine is tuned for extra low-down torque, and solely this powerplant with a handbook gearbox has free car tax (though no iQ is dear to tax).

The Multidrive auto is a repeatedly variable transmission, nevertheless it feels higher than most different CVTs, so don’t be scared to think about one. Additionally, don’t shrink back from an entry-level automotive, as a result of they’re not spartan; customary package contains ESP, 9 airbags, electrical home windows, a six-speaker hi-fi, air-con and distant central locking.

The iQ2 (1.0) and iQ3 (1.33) had the identical customary tools plus keyless go, automated headlights and wipers, local weather management and the choices of sat-nav and leather-based trim.

Options to the Toyota IQ

Few vehicles are as small because the iQ; the Good ForTwo is the plain rival, nevertheless it’s strictly a two-seater, so there’s no house even for babies, in contrast to within the iQ. Nevertheless, the ForTwo is effectively constructed and frugal, particularly in diesel kind.

If 4 seats are key, an iQ most likely isn’t for you, however the Good ForFour is a neatly styled choice, together with the associated Renault Twingo. Different four-seater metropolis vehicles price a better look are the Kia Picanto, Fiat Panda and Ford Ka, in addition to the Hyundai i10.

The Volkswagen up! and its shut cousins the Skoda Citigo and SEAT Mii are additionally wonderful contenders, as is Toyota’s personal Aygo, together with the carefully associated Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107/108, however most of those options really feel much less premium than the iQ.

What to search for

Financial system

Low MPG might be a problem on quick journeys when it’s important to use excessive revs. The gasoline gauge isn’t linear, so might be complicated, too.

Bulbs

Headlamps are superb for city use, however they will wrestle on rural roads. Aftermarket bulbs will rework issues, for lower than £20.

Spare

All iQs had alloys as customary and there’s no spare wheel effectively, however a metal spare is offered (half T42611-74010) to place within the boot.

EGR valve

Toyota initially fitted an EGR (Exhaust Gasoline Recirculation) valve that might result in a lack of energy. A redesigned half was fitted from 2011.

Security

It will be straightforward to assume that the iQ’s diminutive proportions should make it really feel unsafe on the highway, however in Euro NCAP’s exams the iQ notched up a most five-star rating, courtesy of a complete suite of driver-assistance methods and 9 airbags, together with a pioneering rear-window curtain-shield airbag.

Inside

The iQ’s cabin is cleverly packaged, constructed to a excessive customary and it’s additionally extraordinarily effectively geared up. However regardless of Toyota’s assertion that this can be a four-seat automotive, you’ll wrestle to get greater than three adults in there as a result of there merely isn’t the legroom to suit 4 inside; the asymmetrical dashboard signifies that the entrance passenger can sit farther forwards than the motive force, permitting an grownup to sit down behind. You’ll be able to match two adults and two kids into an iQ, however on this mode the boot will accommodate simply 32 litres, and even with the seats folded, this will increase to solely 238 litres.

Operating prices

The iQ wants upkeep each 12 months or 10,000 miles, with companies alternating between minor and main. These are priced at a hefty £230 and £315 respectively when you select to make use of a Toyota franchise, these prices having virtually doubled previously decade or so. On high of this, the brake fluid must be changed each two years at a value of £59 if achieved individually, however that is included within the value of the key service.

The coolant needs to be renewed after 100,000 miles or 10 years, after which each six years or 60,000 miles, at a value of £79. Provided that each the 1.0 and 1.3-litre engines are chain pushed, there’s no cambelt to resume.

The iQ got here with a five-year/100,000-mile guarantee when new, however utilizing an official vendor prolonged this by 12 months or 10,000 miles per 12 months, as much as a restrict of 10 years or 100,000 miles, so solely the final iQs should have any official guarantee cowl remaining.

Remembers

The iQ has been recalled 4 occasions, the primary for the sticking throttle drawback that brought about Toyota’s popularity a lot harm in February 2010; vehicles constructed as much as January 2010 have been affected. iQs constructed as much as October 2010 might endure from issues with the electrical power-steering system, which is why they have been recalled in December 2010.

The third recall was issued in June 2011. It affected vehicles constructed as much as Might 2010, which might expertise issues with the brake servo resulting in a lack of braking help, however not failure of the braking system altogether. The newest recall got here in January 2015, as a result of some iQs made as much as November 2014 might endure from oil accumulating within the turbocharger, which can doubtlessly result in a hearth.

Driver Energy proprietor satisfaction

The iQ didn’t promote in giant sufficient numbers to make it into any of our Driver Energy new or used-car surveys, however when the automotive was in manufacturing, the model as an entire was sometimes coming mid-table in reader polls. A greater concept of the iQ’s abilities might be gleaned from proprietor critiques submitted to carbuyer.co.uk, with the Toyota averaging a rating of 4.4 out of 5. Solely three critiques awarded the iQ lower than 4 stars.

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