Toyota’s upcoming iQ city car is slated to become the foundation for several new Toyota vehicles in the U.S., but could the diminutive Smart-fighter find a home for itself in the U.S.? While it remains to be seen if such a small offering could be a success in the States, Toyota has reportedly decided to give it a go.
The tiny iQ will hit the market in Europe and Japan late next year, but a U.S. launch might not be far behind. According to Motor Trend, Toyota is planning to bring the iQ to the U.S. in order to better spread its development costs – likely in late 2009.
But unlike its overseas counterpart, the iQ won’t be badged as a Toyota in the States. Because the iQ would steal some sales away from the next-generation Yaris – which will be iQ based – and could even threaten some Prius sales, Toyota will sell the iQ under its Scion brand. In fact, Motor Trend says that we can expect to see the iQ in Scion clothes as early as next month’s Los Angeles Auto Show.
If sold in the U.S., Toyota would likely swap the iQ’s three-cylinder powerplant for a more powerful four-cylinder engine, which would deliver more power and fuel efficiency than Smart’s ForTwo – not to mentions at thousands less.
The Scion-badged iQ could also be just the tickets for Toyota’s once vibrant youth brand. The combination of a sub-$15,000 price tag, funky looks and sky-high fuel economy could be just the thing to lure 18-24 year old car buyers back into Scion showrooms.
10/10, 12:46 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
So… how do cars like this fare when they are rear-ended by mommy in her 6000lb Expedition?
10/10, 12:51 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
@RaineMan, mommy ends-up in prison being some other bitch’s bitch.
10/10, 1:16 PM
posted by:
pav8581
Now, not saying that this is totally possible with today’s auto world, but simple physics would say that this car would be punted much like a beach ball in any rear end collision, but does that necessarily rule out unsafe? Look at life cell development from F1 and you can see people in some of the worst wrecks, walk out relatively good for the circumstances.
10/10, 1:38 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
@pav8581, so does it get punted into another oncoming 6000 pound Expedition? The reality is that Toyota is ready for today’s market. What’s left of it…
10/10, 1:59 PM
posted by:
pavlindrom
I’ll take what’s left, add more and sell it to you. My market is surely ready.
10/10, 2:07 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
If it’s a Scion, I would not buy it. If it’s a Toyota, I would.
The Scion brand wreaks of being a childish gimmick.
10/10, 2:08 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
I’m glad the iQ will be a Scion. i’ve always secretly thought to myself that it looks more Scion than any Toyota. Scion needs to replace the aging tC and lose the xD. If they want a youth brand, make small inexpensive but well-equipped SPORTS cars like the tC instead of weird things like the xD. the xB has its own following so thats fine. it seems to hold its own.
10/10, 2:10 PM
posted by:
bigp
well it will work
10/10, 2:54 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
I like Scion’s “no haggle” approach. It takes the most miserable aspect of the car-buying experience out of the equation.
10/10, 3:13 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Howsmydriving, every dealer has the no-haggle approach. It’s called “being stupid enough to pay what is one the sticker.” Go to any dealer, pay what is on the window, and they will not haggle. You are just a retard for thinking Scion is different.
Personally, if I can’t haggle, I won’t buy. There is no car out there that is worth what they ask.
10/10, 4:05 PM
posted by:
rms492
Small or not, it depends on how you will use the car. If you are going to be doing long highway trips across the desert, then this car is not for you. If you are going to be delivering Domino’s Pizza on weekends to help pay for the car, then this car is for you.
I love it and am seriously considering it, if it comes. My other choice is the Honda CR-Z 2-door hybrid-hatchback also due out about the same time.
10/10, 4:22 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
So many good choices of small cars, it’s tough to decide what I would want. If the Mi.To were a “for sure”, I’d probably swing that way. But the iQ looks promising, too.
The only problem I have with this “article” is the comment that says, “not to mentions at thousands less [than the Smart],” and then the mention of a “sub-$15,000 price tag.” If they can get the iQ price tag to start at under $9,000, then I would agree with “thousands less”. But at $15,000 in the US, it is NOT “thousands less” than $11,990. Sorry.
10/10, 5:38 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
amen, beatus!
10/10, 6:14 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
+1
It is obvious that the reason the iQ will be sold as a Scion instead of Toyota is the asking price. Selling it as a Toyota would require the price to be less than the Yaris, whereas selling it as a Scion allows a higher price point just beneath the xD… unless Scion chooses to replace the xD with this (since the Yaris 5-door sort of makes it redundant), which means you shouldn’t expect to pay less than $14-15K.
10/10, 7:32 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Sounds like a plan
Toyota ALWAYS has a plan
A natural fit for Scion
I think it can beat low-30s economy of the Smart
DrFill
10/10, 8:42 PM
posted by:
autonut
It does look great and well thought/engineered. Based on UK numbers it should whoop everything but hybrids. The issue can be combining 3 cylinder mill with slush box. Perhaps Toyota will have to drop in familiar 1.5L, which will negate mileage somewhat.
10/11, 3:14 PM
posted by:
cereal
would be funny if a toyota variant would steal buys from the prius, no matter how logical it is.
scion’ll be fine, especially with this in its lineup.