Toyota IQ. Will it be a success?
Toyota iQ
Recent Toyota IQ premiere was a big success. All car media were talking about it. The car is said to revolutionize the way people look at city cars. And I almost believed that. The car is perfectly designed for this one purpose. Its about 180 inches long (less than 3 m) and is a 4-seater. Toyota did everything possible to make the people space the biggest possible in the car this size.
They call it “The world smallest premium 4-seater ever built”. It’s pretty obvious it is 
I like the design and the concept. I’m a big SMART car fan. This one seems even better: with only about 8 inches more length You get a 4 seater (SMART is only 2). It’s safe also – has the back window air bag curtain installed. That’s cool…
I won’t write about it’s performance or handling or trunk space. There is a 1.0 l gasoline engine available, it can move this car forward and even backwards. Probably there are bigger lawnmower engines available, but… That’s enough said. No one will race in this or check the cornering. It’s about it’s agility and economy. Emmisions are low, as should be in this small engine installed.
Toyota iQ Front
Toyota iQ back
Here You can see a short review from YouTube in 3D
Everything is great here… but I wouldn’t be myself, if I didn’t poke Toyota a little.
The price
I would guess that car of this size should cost about… hmmm… In EU Yaris cost about 12k Euro ($16,5k). There is also a smaller Aygo model, available in Europe around 10k Euro ($13,8k). So iQ should be around… 7-9k Euro? That would be a good deal?
No way…
iQ cost over 13k Euro ($18k)!!!! For a Toyota! More than Aygo, and even 2 size bigger Yaris.
Knowing that Japanese cars are about 25% cheaper in US, so let’s estimate the cost to $13,5k. For this shoe box!? Good joke.
Smart ForTwo car is also expensive to buy (what was the reason it didn’t make profits for the company) – it starts around 8,5k Euro, but at least it is a Mercedes brand…
Unfortunately I think that iQ will be a success. Time will show… Of course not thanks to value for money factor. It will be fashionable to drive it – city toy image will sell it like iPod Well, if not for the price… The car is good.
Prices above are taken from the German market and calculated based on today’s exchange rate (EUR/USD).
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I want one of these cars. Everybody says they are weird looking, and wouldn’t want one, but if it saves me a ton of money, why not. I think they are so cute anyways, and different. Although being eccentric is my thing
Strange car.. I wouldn’t buy. I have experience with much more expensive Toyota car, Land Cruiser, and it was not that good.. See more here: http://toyotacustomerstory.blogspot.com