Toyota IQ (09 on) - Review

Review by Matthew Proud on
Last Updated: 21 February 2011
Toyota’s stylish iQ is a low-cost, high-quality city car with a difference: it’s the smallest four seater in the UK. But despite being less than three metres long, it’s brimming with space-saving tricks and the cabin is deceptively roomy – particularly for front passengers. This is a real alternative to the Fiat 500 and Ford Ka, matching both for quirky looks and compactness, and offers Smart Fortwo buyers something more versatile to consider. Most will find the rear a bit cramped and the iQ’s peculiar seating arrangement renders the seat behind the driver unusable for all but the smallest of kids. This makes the Toyota best suited to couples or used as the runabout in two-car households.
4 out of 5

Other Toyota reviews

4.5 out of 5

Running costs

If the affordable price tag and penny-pinching engine aren't enough to convince buyers, the iQ charms with its low insurance grouping, long service intervals and road tax exemption.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

10,000 miles.

Warranty

Three years/60,000 miles.

Road tax (12 months)

£0.00 - £30.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

5 out of 5

Green credentials

  • A
    99
  • B
  • C
    120
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M

CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

The Toyota has been engineered with the planet, as well as your pocket, in mind. The upshot of the iQ’s small three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine is its rock-bottom CO2 emissions, producing just 99g/km – which was the first petrol engine to do so and means a free tax disc for owners. Particular attention has been paid to keeping emissions down and fuel economy up, as all models come with low rolling resistance tyres and drivers are encouraged to go easier on the throttle by the on-board gearshift indicator light. The 1.3-litre engine, introduced in July 2009, has higher emissions of 113g/km of CO2 but is still very frugal, averaging 59mpg.

Find the exact engine and CO2