Toyota iQ 3 1.33 VVT-i 3dr Car Review - March 2012

The most important part of the driving experience for many city cars is the steering, and the iQ has light steering that is quick to respond, and the tiny turning circle means it is easy to manoeuvre too. However, the ride is a little bit unsettled both in town and on the open road, and when you do take the iQ out of town it does feel a little underpowered and is also a little short of grip when cornering. Inside the driving position is fairly good, with the small stature meaning that forward visibility is good, but a lack of adjustment in the seat and the steering wheel means some drivers may not find the perfect position.

The 1.33 litre engine is a big step up from the more basic one litre model, but the extra power and speed doesn’t make too much difference around town. The acceleration from 0-62mph is achieved in 11.8 seconds, and this version of the iQ has a top speed of 106mph, but driving at motorway speeds does generate some engine and wind noise in the cabin, but not too much that it becomes an issue.

The Toyota iQ is a very small car that has an attractive design on the whole, with the large headlight clusters combining with the curvy bulges in the front end to make it quite attractive. The tail light clusters are also small and well designed, and the alloy wheels help to give this version of the iQ a very nice look. Inside the cabin things do look a little more basic, but the distinctive centre console has been reduced in size to give more room for the driver.

The level of equipment included with this version of the iQ is quite good, with climate control being a particularly nice touch, and the power folding mirrors very rarely seen on small cars like this. The electric windows and CD stereo are commonly found in cars these days, but the MP3 input is a touch that suggests the iQ is aimed at younger people.

The small size and ease of parking make the iQ practical around town, but the lack of space does mean that many people will find it less practical as a family car. The choice between boot space and rear seats also reduces the practicality. Toyota has a good reputation for making very reliable cars, and this is supported by an excellent warranty.

The iQ also achieved the top award of five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test, and has a total of nine airbags that have been packed in to the tiny cabin. It also has ABS, ESP and traction control included as standard, which helps to keep the driver in control at all times.

There is no doubt that the iQ benefits from very competitive running costs, but the purchase price is a different matter, and the list price of £12,775 does seem a lot of money for such a small car.

Fuel efficiency from the 1.33 litre engine isn’t too bad, delivering an average 57.6mpg, which is slightly less than the 1.0 litre version. The low insurance group means that premiums are very low, and the low tax costs are also a plus point. Depreciation for the iQ isn’t particularly favourable, mainly because of the high purchase price. The car is also supplied with an excellent five year warranty and also has a one year membership of the AA.