DRIVER POWER YOUR VIEW

THE iQ didn’t sell in large enough numbers to make it into any of our Driver Power new or used-car surveys, but when the car was in production, the brand as a whole was typically coming mid-table in reader polls. A better idea of the iQ’s talents can be gleaned from owner reviews submitted to carbuyer.co.uk, with the Toyota averaging a score of 4.4 out of 5. Only three reviews awarded the iQ less than four stars.

CASE STUDY

ALISON Sharp from Telford, Shropshire, owns a 2011 Toyota iQ 1.0: “The idea of the iQ being a four-seater is laughable; I just leave the back seats down, because the boot is tiny otherwise. Viewed as a two-seater, the iQ is roomy, feels premium and is fun to drive, as well as comfortable. It’s well equipped, cheap to run and has been very reliable, even after more than 80,000 miles. I’d have another in a heartbeat.”

THE oversquare dimensions of the Toyota iQ will put some people off it straight away, while others will be impressed by the packaging and standard equipment, even in base spec. Few would call it pretty, but many admire its quirky charm. And it’s a Toyota, so a peerless used-car choice by any pragmatic measure.

Safety first

IT would be easy to think that the iQ’s diminutive proportions must make it feel unsafe on the road, but in Euro NCAP’s tests the iQ notched up a maximum five-star score, courtesy of a comprehensive suite of driverassistance systems and nine airbags, including a pioneering rear-window curtain-shield airbag.

“Few would call the iQ pretty, but many admire its quirky charm”