2012 Scion iQ Review - Kelley Blue Book

The Scion iQ has the notable distinction of being the smallest four-seat car sold in America, making it a direct competitor for cars like the Fiat 500 and Smart ForTwo. To gauge the charms of the Scion iQ, KBB's Micah Muzio squeezed behind the wheel of this diminutive coupe to see how easy it was to park, drive and live with.
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[@yaknowthatitsreal]

"spontaneous 180s to avoid your Ex" LOL - this guys hillarious

[@cek128]

I bought my scion iq last month...I live in new York...it's the ideal car for 3 1/2 people I drive it everyday for work I already spent over a 1000 miles because its fun to drive and I spend like 26 dollars for a full tank every week and a half,I love it.i think I'm the only one that has it.

[@rakeshsawhney9463]

This type of car will be more reliable for india.when it gets launched in Indi a.with a friendly price .Their model definitely fascinate their curious customers .waiting for reply.

[@scottieray]

I bought my iQ at the end of April. Currently have 12,000 miles on it. Typically get 40-45mpg on the backroads and 38-ish in town. Well built and I love the simple interior that does not have a gajillion buttons. Traction control does work as I have had the opportunity to send it into action driving in the rain here in the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas. Had a few people get curious enough to ask to sit in it and they are always amazed at how roomy it feels...then they giggle when they get out.

[@punkierockerbruster]

11 years later and I am looking to buy one used. How did it fair over all?

[@scottieray]

@@punkierockerbruster It was fun. I traded it in on FR-S when those came out.

[@Spoksy]

I have to say this review is done really well, very lovely visual shots and the guy is funny :) well done!

[@YouMotorcycle]

Should also be pointed out that the IQ takes regular whereas the Smart and Mini take premium, so even if it loses by a couple mpg here or there, it's still cheaper to run the same trip in the IQ.

[@punkierockerbruster]

Thanks for this note. I'm assuming repairs are a little bit cheaper too. Do the fact that it's a Toyota product. Versus being a BMW product like the smart card for two

[@SquashBox]

I know it's been a year but anyway it's written by Micah Muzio, who is the guy in the video. He also makes the music. I love his reviews, they're the best car reviews on the planet.

[@thelaxer1031]

i kinda love this car. Im a guy and i like this car. i like it cause it looks like well....a car unlike the smart which looks like something i drew in 1st grade. and its a scion so you can always customize it to your liking which is cool within the next year im looking to trade in my jeep for one of these just to save the money since i drive 65 miles a day.

[@ashleycasseus7841]

I really want one. I love small cars.

[@TheDrunkardHu]

best review i've seen for this car.

[@TheHDStation]

would have bought one if it had cruise control and center arm rest. Live in the city, but Want to be comfortable on long drives too

[@Slonya23]

Very good review, informative and entertaining, better then usual KBB stuff.

[@eyeson6113]

I bought one to use as a dingy in my toter home. I have a 2012 a6 and half a dozen other cars and I find myself driving the IQ most due to the FUN factor. It's a little go cart. The ride is great for a car this size and the cvt makes the driving experience quite sedate. The smart has the worst brutal shifts of anything I've driven. There are other cars that are bigger and weigh more for the same money. So what? For me size was the best thing about the IQ. But I learned it's a hoot to drive.

[@MrCondoriano]

I don't know who wrote the script for this review but it's dead funny. another great review KBB.

[@eyeson6113]

Hello, eleven air bags. It's a cocoon in a crash and cvt traction control... All that cool stuff adds to the cost. I love mine.

[@adamY2K]

This is a very clever car. it sells quite decently here in europe

[@gene978]

Great review! I agree the asking price is very steep for this little car.should be around $12,000

[@gjune36]

I wish they offered the manual transmission in North America. Or used a torque converter auto instead of a CVT. I would have picked one up when they were still making these.

[@juozazole]

In Europe the IQ diesel version with 90 HP gets 50 MPG city/ 67 hwy. Why isn't this offered in the US?

[@MrChevybaja]

"secure foam" that made me laugh. I just watched that recently!

[@333angeleyes]

Hi Kelley blue book video team. If you guys ever read this, would you ever consider doing one of your comparison videos for the sub-sub compact cars like you do with compact, midsize, full size, and mini-vans?Thank you

[@Charsept]

2 issues: 1. Don't like the CVT at all. I'd take a stick before a CVT. 2. Flat out costs too much. At that price there is some great competition. Other than those, I *really* do like this car.

[@JellyPunky]

Scion would've hit a home run if this started around $10,000.

[@patronedoss213]

Got mine for 8.4k after doc fees and taxes. 30k miles 2012

[@marckeiser3514]

I leased a 2012 then bought a 2015. Love it. It has 100,000+ miles on it. Only expenses are tires at 70,000, wiper blades and a battery.

[@robinkim7711]

Hey Marc, thank you for sharing your experience! do you have oil consumption issue? I'm thinking to buy 2012 100k IQ any thought? Thank you!

[@BoopSnoot]

The fuel economy isn't great because of physics: 1) Making an efficient yet hyper compact exhaust and intake manifold is damn near impossible. Cramped quarters means reduced efficiency with sharp bends. 2) Shorter bodies, all else equal, are less aerodynamic as the air can't stabilize and creates turbulent drag; this hurts highway fuel economy 3) Shorter bodies usually result in steeper blockier front ends, which are less aerodynamic than more sloped designs like on longer cars.

[@KuyaArbee]

you make awesome reviews! so much better than Top GEAR USA. Glad KBB is making really good car reviews! love the interaction with the reviewer and cars and the video editing and graphics

[@nokibu3]

cute car...they just need to add a panel that opens up under the drivers feet for those emergencies where you need extra breaking or for those times when you'd prefer to just stand up and turn the car around instead of backing up out of a parking space.

[@Watch-0w1]

I don't understand why they didn't sell this as a base skeleton car, With the price starting 10k at most. They would see more sale because really seem like a second car buy.

[@mcamodell]

Ride is a bit stiff, almost uncomfortable, and noisy tires don't help. I installed stock Mazda Miata wheels and tires and solved the problem almost completely. The Mazda Miata wheels and tires fit perfectly with no modifications.

[@BruceTheSillyGoose]

belatedly, that is GREAT advice, which i will follow if i ever get my hands on one of these little japanese gems.

[@danielmatern9162]

@@BruceTheSillyGoose I'm not so sure. I have an IQ and the tires are really narrow. Because they are so narrow, the car has an amazing turning radius. If the tires get much wider they will hit the wheel well when turning sharply. I don't find the ride to be excessively stiff, nor do the tires seem noisy to me.

[@iTziLLUMY]

Can't. Wait for the Scion FR-S :)

[@TheHDStation]

I know it doesn't matter to the review, but if find this guy incredibly attractive.

[@VQSeries]

"...sharp turns to avoid your ex." LOL!!!

[@MicahMuzio]

@MrCondoriano That'd be me. Thanks for the kind words. For the record, I write all my own scripts.

[@CarsofGlasgow]

I love how the American version gets the big engine

[@DisasterService]

Bigger than 1.3L? How big are they everywhere else?

[@huronlad3983]

The smart can return over 50 mpg. I am getting minimum 43, up to 50+ USmpg.

[@JediFarce]

There is no IS on whatever camera this video is being shot on. What are you guys using a Sony Nex?

[@chevroncar]

I've loved my iQ for many reasons since we got it in January, but one of them is the added garage space. We traded in a Toyota Matrix, & the added useable space has been incredible.

[@Pizzaman882]

@ghrpdx why dont you buy a 4000 decent vehicle and customize it to make it way cooler then most stuff on the road?

[@lu-dx6oh]

I have one it costs me$9-10.50 to fill the tank

[@electrictroy2010]

At 36 the Toyota IQ is the highest City MPG of any nonhybrid car .

[@electrictroy2010]

+TheIntelligentView IQ is small but still weighs almost as much as a Civic, so no gas savings there. It also has poor aerodynamics .

[@athemocracy]

You dimwit, this came out in 2012.

[@TheFluffyWendigo]

plan on buying one down the road just slap a set of EV5's on it a couple bolt ons to get some extra power good to go for 15 years

[@MrCondoriano]

@micahmuzio you are the BEST muzio =)

[@kcirreb94]

yea my altima downshifts also almost at redline too. im like wtf?

[@TerryFilming]

Ehh. The iQ has nice looks, but I'd prefer to get the Hyundai Elantra. Both cars are the same price at base model. The Elantra offers more space, power, and just practicality.

[@aegisreflector1239]

Seems like a fair assessment

[@pineapple141]

@TerryFilming That's really sad that you put that much thought into one little comment, wonder what you think about things that actually matter.

[@yakadee1]

Almost ALL subcompacts come with front discs, rear drums. Drum brakes function in a similar manner to disc brakes, shoes press against a drum, just like pads press against a rotor. There is no difference in pedal feel/operation. If you had to pump the brake pedal on your 69 Camaro, you probably had air in the lines.

[@menguardingtheirownwallets6791]

It is 2021 now, and I have not seen ONE of them on the roads here in Southern Ontario, Canada, for the past 6 years, so yeah, it was a 'NOVELTY' that quickly wore off.

[@aegisreflector1239]

I see them still in LA

[@DisasterService]

But the ones I see for sale online have upwards of 200k miles. These are a hidden gem. Those little Toyota 4 cylinder motors run eternally.

[@123praim]

kbb is my favourite,just behind carbuyer.matt is sooooo funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Ch28Kid]

Keep doing review like this. I just subscribe today. LOL

[@Minicprlvr]

GREAT VIDEO! I was excited about this car. But $15,995 and only 36 MPG!? Are you nuts. I have a Honda Fit that gets better MPG, a whole lot more useability, and ,oh yeah, the base is cheaper and the sport model is the same price as the IQ. Plus I think the smart looks better honeslty. I'm dissapointed Scion.

[@PrototypePrjs]

maybe,... if the price was around 12k...

[@senorinamtei8202]

It’s my dream car

[@JediFarce]

Air bags won't really help in a car this size if it gets smashed like a soda can.

[@iTziLLUMY]

Look up the Aston martin "Cygnet"

[@ChrisAstro]

I'd take the mini cooper any day

[@toyoscio]

You'd be in the shop pretty often as well.

[@carsonphillips524]

Exactly! I had a Mini Cooper Countryman (that I loved) that I spent thousands of dollars on repairs. I've had more than one toyota product and you do not have a problem with reliability. PLus, Coopers are way, way more money to buy. Two different types of cars anyway. The iQ is made for excellent gas mileage and parking and Coopers are designed more for sporty driving and some get very good mileage but not as good as the iQ.

[@VQSeries]

But where's the manual cogbox?!?! :'(

[@Saytheodd]

My Fiat 500 Sport fit's 4 people perfectly with room to spare lol you might even be able to put 3 in the back

[@TerryFilming]

@pineapple141 Haha that's funn, because you're the one who goes onto videos and post "1" or First" on them.

[@WN427]

For that price, the Fiat makes more sense to me

[@HardlineFeminists]

*I bought my Scion IQ because it's literally the cutest car I've ever driven.*

[@JediFarce]

Wow, drum brakes...my 69 camaro came with drum brakes. Kids, this means you slow down by pumping the brake pedal.

[@danielpark94]

36mpg? from what i remember years back toyota promised somewhere along the lines of 50+ mpg.. how sad.

[@Zephas99]

36 MPG for a skateboard sized car? You really don't get much of a gas savings on these micro cars for what you give up on space.

[@JediFarce]

SUV vs IQ, who's going to be killed in a crash?

[@ssj4goldengogeta]

he is so hot and the car is interesting. lol.

[@BlackMisterio]

What $16,000, I better buy an elantra

[@ZaneWulf]

@ssj4goldengogeta Yes and yes!

[@LMGC89]

To expensive for that type of money ill get a Honda Fit before i even look at the IQ

[@ZaneWulf]

@ghrpdx I must agree! :)

[@Abon502]

I have a strange compulsion to get one of these mini cars . I just think it’s a kind of fun , sort of outlier choice . However I live in a semi rural area not a big city so I wonder if this would be practical or a death trap

[@Lv0nightmare]

It does not weight as much as a 69 camaro, 80% of all braking comes from the front wheels.

[@destroyer8604]

I agree. You can get a bigger Chevy Spark for 4K less than this tiny thing and the Spark has 39 HWY MPG and this only has 36. The only thing this thing has on the Spark is the city MPG at 36 but the Spark isn't bad at 31. When you combine the MPG both cars are about the same. Id say unless they drop the price for this thing to around 10-11K Stay away from it. Its a ripoff for what you get

[@carsonphillips524]

The Spark actually only gets 31 combined mpg (28 city/36 hwy) according to fueleconomy.gov. If your driving around town mostly in the Spark you will rarely get over 30 mpg. The iQ gets 37 combined. If you compared them on an all highway trip then the numbers would be about the same. Otherwise the iQ comes out ahead by several mpg. Most people will have city driving mixed in for everyday use. Plus, the Scion will be much more reliable with better build quality being a Toyota product. I drove a 2013 Scion iQ the other day and the doors still shut with a quality thud after 104,000 miles. The Spark is a decent car and it boils down to personal preference but I'd pick the Scion.

[@TCB1468]

The cost of 10 16gig iPhones if you have an upgrade. Other wise more like 3 iPhones.

[@thelaxer1031]

that aside look at the reliability that toyotas have had though and that was only one time that they went bad and they fixed it. This is also probably alot cheaper to work on since its a toyota engine not the european engine of the fiat which to change the oil takes a few hundred bucks cause of the design of every european engine.

[@awksweat230]

I feel claustrophobic watching this.

[@HardlineFeminists]

*Don't. The Scion IQ is actually very spacious, besides being really cute.*

[@nickboi3784]

k but imagine being rear ended and sitting in the back

[@frankburns8871]

If my commute was from my garage to my mailbox, this would be the perfect car.

[@bliglum]

With the only transmission choice available a CVT.... I'll pass.

[@Lv0nightmare]

SUV, inertia, SUV 3 tons... IQ 1 ton, less energy for the frame to absorb

[@huronlad3983]

Taller individuals will only fit in the smart or Fiat. Headroom is very poor in the iQ.

[@bentleyspotter]

aston martin cygnet

[@letsgowarriors30]

lol 180's to avoid your ex

[@iridius001]

This dude is pretty handsome looking, very friendly like ^^

[@HardlineFeminists]

*Yes, but I'm not sure he's gay. Bummer for you I guess.*

[@chongbishop7281]

03:10 0:49 03:04

[@DJTEVAdotCOM]

It an expensive Micro car. they need to lower to $12k level like For Two. I guess they haven't learn from For Two mistake.

[@selenatomaszewski5137]

04:43 01:01 04:39

[@brandonhardman6787]

The problem with the spark...its a piece of crap! Sorry not all chevy's are made equal...the iq has 25 more hp and handles like a go kart. Ive owned chevy's entry level cars before, after 3 years..your better off scrapping the car for parts...

[@conceptcs]

too expensive !

[@lu-dx6oh]

at 5:07 wtf is a 16 gig I phone , what kind of primitive caveman technology is that

[@ZaneWulf]

@ghrpdx Lol!

[@HarryPotter-td9fb]

I can't stand CVTs. They sound like little vacuum cleaners or a hair dryer.

[@electrictroy2010]

+Harry Potter They have smooth acceleration like an EV .

[@MrLeeTbagger]

LOL

[@andrewilliams7499]

I got one of these and as a black man the dealer should give me my money back,people see me and get instant road rage, cutting me off,straight up bogart there way in front of me.

[@Lincolnator721]

maybe because people are jealous you're driving something reliable and fuel-efficient

[@reevsaj]

Nice car, but a Fiat 500 is cheaper and better looking.

[@MemphisSilver]

1.

[@jeffreysegal2065]

Cute. Car's nice too.😋😁

[@greenlime1997]

Clown car

[@cesarhidalgo23]

Your Mom asked the question!!!

[@Leo9613]

Fiat 500 is just better

[@BruceTheSillyGoose]

Fix It Again Tony

[@aarondaniels6301]

way to expensive, the base model smart fotwo is around 11k. I picked mine up for 100/ month. has way more storage room, doesn't lie about seating 4 or 3 people which is impossible in that car. glad I bought a smart instead of the scion.. kbb is known to be biased torwards toyota.

[@electrictroy2010]

+aaron Daniels It's advertised as 3 adults + 1 child. I sat in the car and seat 3 was very comfortable, but seat 4 had minimal leg space, so Toyota's advertising is correct. The point is: If you need a rear seat the IQ has the option, while the Smart ForTwo does not .

[@lu-dx6oh]

Ive gotten 5 200 lb men in my scion iq , that being said we did add 50 % weight to that poor bugger

[@BruceTheSillyGoose]

@@lu-dx6oh were you still friends after that experience?

[@Lincolnator721]

@@BruceTheSillyGoose maybe more than friends. just kidding.

[@GMasis001]

ewwww....