How does the tiny Toyota IQ2 measure up? (From Bournemouth Echo)

How does the tiny Toyota IQ2 measure up?

4:08pm Friday 17th April 2009 in

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LOOKING at all the dimensions of the IQ it’s hard to believe that you can accommodate four adults – well, you can!

The even harder thing to understand is when inside the car it feels like a Tardis in comparison to what you see outside. Space has been saved by using a revolutionary flat fuel tank which is located beneath the driver’s seat. Ultra thin seats also help to save weight and space along with a cleverly designed dashboard which means both the driver and front seat passenger are able to sit further forward leaving more leg room in the rear. Toyota really has done something special here.

Still not impressed? Well, Toyota has done a decent job under the tiny bonnet as well, the 1.0 litre engine produces less than 100g of CO2 so there is no road tax to pay, unheard of with a petrol engine.

As for reliability there is unlikely to be an issue here, in the recent JD Power survey Toyota was ranked fourth, with sister firm Lexus in the number one slot.

The IQ is a true city car managing a combined 67.2mpg. There is a price to pay with all the cost savings though. Don’t expect to be rushing from A to B; the IQ is not fast, managing zero to 60mph in 14.1seconds and a top speed of around 90mph. It does seem like you really have to push the IQ to keep up with fast traffic. That said, the IQ is designed to save money and the environment. Take nothing away from the engineers and designers who built this car – it is radical in many ways, just not in performance.

The IQ handles well and the damping is good, soaking all but the largest of potholes. Cornering and driver feedback is civilised although the ride is slightly firm. A real plus for the IQ is the turning circle. I have never driven a car that can turn as tight as the IQ. A quick flick of the steering and a u-turn is made in just 3.9 metres.

With such a small package you would expect some compromises to be made in terms of safety. Not so with the IQ.

Toyota believes the IQ will score a Euro NCAP of five stars – who am I to disagree when you get Stability Control, a whopping nine airbags and rigid safety cell all as standard. The engine itself has been placed as close to the cabin as possible so the IQ can take a really hard hit. Then there are the rear shielding airbags which deploy when the car is hit from behind, shielding rear passengers.

The IQ is comfortable for up to three six-foot adults, but seating four is a little trickier. You would not want to travel far with four adults but the point is you can if needs be. The IQ is really a 3+1 seater.

As for the kit, the IQ fares well with electric windows, remote central locking with keyless entry, CD player, power steering, trip computer, front fog lights, tinted rear windows, auto lights and wipers, air conditioning etc. Optional extras include rear parking sensors, and ‘home link’ which allows you to operate up to three automated home systems – for example electric gates, electric garage door or home security lighting, i-Pod integration system, satellite navigation and rear parking camera.

Company car drivers will be pleased to learn you will pay the lowest 10 per cent tax obligation, and with insurance group 2, the IQ is a positive choice for the business user.