Road test: Toyota iQ

The Toyota iQ’s billing of the ‘world’s smallest four-seater car’ conjures up images of a miniscule cross between a Smart fortwo and a G-Wiz. In reality, it’s a double-takingly stylish micro-mini that’s just under 3m in length and yet still manages to accommodate four passengers.

With its muscly wheel arches and sculpted lines, the pearlescent white Toyota iQ looks more like a road-going iPod nano that’s been chugging protein shakes than another weedy city runabout.

Suitcase theory

But straight to the point: how has the iQ managed its ‘world’s smallest’ tagline? Well, think of it like packing a suitcase: when you can’t fit everything in, you take something out.

In the iQ’s case, that something is the glove box. Its absence means added legroom front and back, while a flattened fuel tank is located under the chassis and the seats are just 40mm thick.

The iQ’s rear seats fold flat to create enough boot space for a decent amount of shopping. When they’re up you’ll struggle to fit in more than a stick of celery.

The iQ claims to house four adults, and we managed, but it was quite a squeeze. There was plenty of room on the passenger side thanks to the absence of glove box, but space behind the driver’s seat was minimal – this is really more of a three-and-a-half seater than a four-seater.

Toyota toys

The car is available in two versions – the iQ and iQ2. Both are available in manual or automatic, with the difference coming in the in-car specification.

Our model (iQ2 5 MT) came with a 5.8in touchscreen LCD with integrated satellite navigation and DAB, as well as an MP3/WMA-playing CD slot, plus USB, aux, and SD card input. iPod integration for the six-speaker system is a paid-for extra. The touchscreen was responsive and intuitive, while the sat nav ably handled London’s bustling streets in rush hour, providing multiple routes to choose and lane assist.

At 996cc, the iQ’s engine is small, but manages 0-60 in 14.7 seconds – two seconds better than a smart fortwo, despite being 200kg heavier.

It also ticks those all-important green boxes by emitting only 99g/km of CO2, and manages 65.7 miles per gallon, helped by a dashboard indicator telling you when to shift up or down.

City slicker

With its size and a turning circle like a bumper car, the iQ is the ultimate city car. It’s fuel-efficient and vehicle tax-free but can hit 70mph on the motorway without shaking like a wet Chihuahua.

But owning a small car without small car syndrome will cost you. The iQ starts at £9295 and goes up to £11255 – pricier than a Smart fortwo, or even a low-spec Yaris. And despite its clever use of space it isn’t quite a practical four-seater, despite Toyota’s claims. It’s an interesting option for a runtish urban runaround, but ultimately expensive for what it is.

For more images and to see it in action in our video feature, click here.