When you think of sporty handling cars, certain makes and models come to mind – Porsche Boxster/Cayman, Mini Cooper, Mazda Miata… Scion iQ? Now don’t confuse sporty handling with sports car, or even sporty car for that matter. The iQ is neither of the latter, but for a micro-subcompact priced at just under $16,000, it does handle well. I’ll discuss more on that in a moment, however.
Toyota has been putting forth great effort to regain a foothold in the young urbanite market with its Scion brand. Last year’s launch of the second-gen tC reportedly contributed strong sales increases for all three Scion models (tC, xB, xD) and the upcoming FR-S sports car concept has legitimately garnered worldwide attention since being unveiled at last year’s NY Auto Show. With the all-new 2012 iQ, Scion hopes to usher in what they call “ ‘New Urbanism’ – a vehicle for a more progressive buyer whose transportation needs and desires are changing” (Toyota’s words, not mine).
Upon initial observation, the exterior of our Hot Lava (metallic orange) tester looked like it could be a high-top sneaker that Shaq left behind from his days with the Suns. The taut, yet curvy body panels scream CUSTOMIZE ME! unlike any Smart car you’ve ever seen. And when looked at head on, the noticeably wide footprint hints that this may not be your run of the mill urban commuter. Sixteen inch alloys and a rear window fin finished off the details. The aggressive front and rear body panels are functional, too, directing wind over the front wheels and away from the rear of the car, achieving a Cd value of 0.31. The acoustic windshield, which is comparable to what is used on the Camry Hybrid was engineered to dampen sounds in the mid to high frequency ranges. Unfortunately, this was not effective enough to hush the wind noises intruding from the A-pillars and side view mirrors, nor the tire and road noise we experienced from underneath.
Inside, everything about the 3+1 seater has been engineered for compactness. The compact air conditioning system has a built-in fan and filter, and is placed directly behind the center stack, creating an asymmetrical dash design. In place of the traditional glove compartment, an under storage bin is located below the passenger front seat, and the exclusion of a center arm rest expands available rear-passenger knee room. In our tester, headroom was substantially more generous than some midsize sedans, yet legroom left much to be desired for front drivers and would appear to be a miracle from above in rear. Scion reps stated that a 6-footer could fit behind the staggered 4-way adjustable front passenger seat in a pinch, but a demonstration was not performed at that time. In my opinion, Shotgun! should be called without haste, prior to any trip,
as the aforementioned staggered seating allowed for a potentially shameful amount of front passenger comfort, when compared to the other three seating positions. The 50/50 split folding rear seats will likely remain in the folded position, offering a maximum 16.5 cu.ft., unless you have a small narrow item such as a laptop or file folder that you might like to hide in the rear foot well or the remaining 3.5 cu.ft. in back.
Taking safety into consideration, the iQ comes equipped with an industry-best 11 standard airbags – including knee and seat cushion airbags, and the world debut of a rear window airbag. Other features, such as traction control, brake assist, anti-lock brakes and stability control are included, as well.
Toyota states that the new urbanites value entertainment and style. And although the iQ will not stray from the Scion ideology of mono-spec (translation: basic components that make it a car are all the same), buyers will be able to customize features that are put on or in their cars. Along with a flat-bottom steering wheel, usb/aux jacks, and standard Bluetooth and HD Radio, the iQ can be equipped with a choice of three audio systems, one of which includes navigation, as well as over 25 accessories (fog lights, alloy wheels, lowering kit, spoilers) to help owners maintain their individuality.
Performance wise, the iQ has its pro and cons. The 1.3L engine makes 94 h.p. and 89 ft.-lb. torque, allowing the 2127 lb. car to achieve mpg ratings of 36/37 city/highway with an average of 37. Unfortunately, it would take most of your day to reach the top speed of 100 mph, since the iQ needs 11.8 seconds to reach 60. The belt-and-
variable-pulley continuously variable transmission (CVT) offers infinite forward gear ratios and is reportedly key to the vehicle’s compact physical dimensions. The high-mount rack and pinion steering with electronic power steering (EPS) do not take up space in the engine compartment, and in conjunction with the MacPherson strut front suspension and inverted Torsion beam rear suspension, the iQ has a tight 12.9 ft. (two king-size mattresses = 12.7 ft.) turning radius and affords enhanced rear-seat hip room.
Last but not least, we come to the most surprising attribute of the 2012 iQ – handling. I believe the combination of obvious components, such as 16 inch wheels/tires, suspension and wide stance, along with the engineered low-profile fuel tank, light weight and short dimensions make the Scion iQ enjoyable to flog. Yes, the engine is still anemic, but once you get it moving, it should make easy work of darting in and out of congested traffic and into tight parking spaces in an urban center near you. Taking all of this into account, the 2012 Scion iQ might just be the Smart-er choice.
























