2012 Scion iQ to Start at US$15,995

By the numbers, yes. However, the Mini will deliver a different driving experience compared to most midsize cars. Most shopping for it know it's a BMW and will factor that into the price. Plus, the Cooper is one of those iconic car models. It has looks and history. Same with Prius. The Mustang has history. The Smart fortwo has looks. Looking kinda like an xB or xD with the backend cut off, the iQ has neither.

When it comes to micro car shopping, I think most will make the Insight2 v. Prius comparison as opposed to the Mini v. Camry one.

It's likely changes in offerings through the years, but the two country's version is basicly the same. Canada doesn't appear to get paddle shifters at all now. In Canada it's $17,500Cdn, and $14,690 in the US. The iQ is a better buy in Canada.

In the US it comes down to specific equipment differences and personal taste. For those looking for just basic transportation, Smart offers the pure for a couple thousand less. But for those who can't do their own maintenance, I think Mercedes service prices will turn them off. Scion has a better brand rep in that regard, and will likely put the iQ in the front.

However, the micro car and sub-compact class are a tightening field. The Fiat 500 is currently available. The Chevy replacement for the Aveo arrives at the same time as the iQ. IIRC, the Sonic is actually smaller than the Aveo, so it might be cross shopped with the Scion. Chevy might also be bringing an actually micro-car to market.

 

I don't share the American preference for big, but I like Fit/C/Yaris sized cars much more than micro. I am not even really sure why, so maybe it just stems from what I am used to.

I am delighted though that small and high-quality are not mutually exclusive anymore in the US.

 

Does the Canadian Smart pure have paddle shifters standard? Is the pure even offered? The site lay out was different than the US.

Bringing the US passion up the Canadian specs will add about $1000. That makes the iQ more competative for the buyer who wants those features. Smart just gives the buyer more options.

The iQ does share many design cues with the Scion line up. Its only uniqueness is size. Micro cars do stand out, but only because of their rarity. If other makers feel the market segment is worthwhile, we'll see more. Smart and Fiat are already available. Ford has the Ka overseas. Chevy is working on the Spark. Bring the Nano over as been floated as an idea. I think the iQ's Scionness will be more obvious when that happens.

 

More than once have you brought up your opinion the styling of the iQ. Your argument that Prius has both looks and history while iQ has neither is highly subjective. Since when does a 10 year old car have history?

With the amount of Smarts on the road, the iQ stands out at least as much. It is like the Smart's evil twin who beats it up and eats its breakfast.

 

Nope. I own a pickup truck. OK.....it's not a 'massive' P/U, but it is an extended-cab Sierra.
I've never thought Priuses were a 'steaming pile of stupid', even before I started driving one every day....
FWIW.....I don't think that the Sierra is stupid either.
Different needs. Different cars.

Like others.....I think that the Elantra is a better buy, but I've driven one. I don't have any stick time in the new Scion.
Maybe it's realllllly fun to drive????

 

Of course it's subjective.
I was expecting a comment more on the Mustang not having looks than something on the Prius from that post. The Prius was the first(in modern era) consumer available hybrid in the world. It was the first 4 passenger hybrid in US. It was the hybrid that made the drivetrain acceptable to the mainstream. How's that for history?

As I stated before, any micro car is going to stand out at this point in time. When they stop standing out as a class, the iQ will likely hit people's perception filters as just another Scion. I concede that Smart, and the Fiat 500, have an unfair advantage here in the iconic debate by being the sole available model in the US.

Maybe that's the secret of the Smart's success. Regardless, the Smart had a cult following here for years before being introduced, with members willing to pay the money and time to get their own imported and registered.

Without that evidence of the desire for the smaller cars here, Toyota may not have brought the iQ over.

 

You say that the two cars (iQ and Smart) are competitive when equally equipped. Over here you can't get a Smart that is as well equipped as a top of the line iQ, but when I stood with the option of the iQ and a Smart for 1/3 the price, I still choose the iQ. In a direct comparison the Smart simply falls short at almost every level (it is starting to look dated as well), so this cult following you have must better be quite extreme if Smart wants to keep its foothold.

(The iQ equals the Prius when it comes to innovation. Prius has its drivetrain and aerodynamics while iQ has its packaging and driving dynamics. This is why I bought both )

 

When you say 'over here' do you mean Durham, UK or Durham North Carolina?

 

Argh! I forgot to change my location. I'm in Europe now.

 

Here the iQ isn't a Toyota, it's a Scion. Scions are only offered in one trim with few options. They are well appointed with all the power stuff and an upgraded stereo. Scions are marketed as customizable, and they do offer many dealer install options like light kits, and few other things that is usually after market. At one time at least, you order, for extra, your car unpainted for a personal paint job. But there is no choice among the regular car options. With the single transmission, the iQ has less than other Scions.

Scions are also a no haggle car dealer. With the need for an actual micro sized car less here than Europe or Japan, this unflexible pricing, from either deleting features or haggling, means to iQ will be regularly cross shopped with larger sub-compacts. I think most of those that will buy an iQ would have likely bought a Scion to begin with.

I agree the Smart is showing its age. It also suffers from a press and public that are unwilling to learn the quirks of an automated manual here. Lower entry point appears to be its only advantage.

 

I'm starting to think this thing will sell. Its unique appearance won't hurt, and yes it is smaller and has a lot of things other cars in this price range do better (size, performance), but if the dealers can really push and hound the 36 mpg city rating it's going to stand out to people. Not saying I'd be one of them of course, but 36 mpg city for a non-hybrid is a market leader in any size, any fuel use, it's a good figure.

 

Autobild had comparo of the all car on the market in Germany, for smallest turning circle, and iQ had smallest turning circle on the market, at 8.4m. Smart was at 9.1m despite smaller overall dimensions.

 

I don't think it'll be a flop. I'm just disappointed with it being a Scion at that price. It is a great car for a commuter vehicle in a multi car household. The lack of a less appointed entry level trim means it is less competative in the market for those looking for basic day to day transport.

I'm pragmatic about it, but others are disappointed at the lack of the manual and the fuel economy it gets.

 

Alright, I see what you're saying. The iQ will be pushed on its appearance and reputation of being better in someway to the more mainstream cars that can be had with the same features for roughly the same price.

Mini(BMW) and VW already had a rep for premium appointments, or at least upscale pricing that was accepted by their customers. Fiat has been out of the US market for awhile. If they are going for the same market as Scion, their previous rep won't hurt them much.

The iQ has its Scion brothers to compete against though. They all have roughly the same features. The xD is close in price. The iQ beats their fuel economy in automatic, maybe in manual, but that only holds as long as Toyota sticks to outdated four speeds. The newness factor will be a big pull for it. I can see the possibility of the iQ taking the place of the original xB as Scion's standout offering. Which could lead to it being highly successful.

 

Toyota offer 4 speed automatics or 4 speed manuals?

I hope you don't mean manual. I don't think it's possible to get a anything less than 5 speed manual over here and most are 6 speed.

 

the size of a car is not propotional to the cost to make it.

even many motocycles cost $15k+

for people in cities that need the shortest possible car for parking, it makes sense.

for people looking for a cheap car, look elsewhere.