Toyota IQ vs smart....face à face

[Smart Enuf]

I'd like to see the winner of a head-on and T-bone collision between a smart and the iQ. Would be interesting how each car approaches the same problem from different perspectives.

[Orphan-Beggar]

Well done, boys
For middle school French class, my project was a
plaster of paris replica of
Mont St Michel
Google Image Result for http://images.shareordie.in/uploads/2008/02/mont-saint-michel-4.jpg

I want those years back

[vwW12]

Originally Posted by Smart Enuf

I'd like to see the winner of a head-on and T-bone collision between a smart and the iQ. Would be interesting how each car approaches the same problem from different perspectives.

smart: 4 stars in the euroNCAP
iQ: 5 stars

The dummy in the smart suffered quite a bit when compared to the dummy in the iQ, both on side impact and front offset impact.

Nuff said.

Now let's talk about the €2000 price difference, or USD 2,500: clearly the modern small vehicle is a pricy thing! Me like-y the parktronic on the iQ, the 4dB improvement in quietness, and the better transmission.

Wonder what the average US consumer would think about it?

Gimme an iQ convertible and I'll switch sides demain!

[EdwardDennis]

I think it'll be a formidable contender, if properly packaged by Toyota for the US market.

I'm on the fence right now. I received my '08 in May of last year and figured to replace it with a 2010 model. If the IQ arrives as predicted, I'll be looking at it in comparison with what Smart comes up with for the '10 model year. Personally, I like the wider (...and a tad longer) frame of the IQ, and the extra interior area. Couple that with Toyota's dealer network and you have something certainly worth considering. I also suspect there will be a significant aftermarket and accessory market once this model hits US shores.

[Macaw]

Originally Posted by vwW12

smart: 4 stars in the euroNCAP
iQ: 5 stars

The dummy in the smart suffered quite a bit when compared to the dummy in the iQ, both on side impact and front offset impact.

Nuff said.

Not relevant to us in the USA as side air bags are standard. So a test on a 2007 smart without side airbags vrs an 2009 iQ with them using a different reporting parameters is not relevant. Will just have to wait for US spec IIHS test data for both cars.

Just for example on the IIHS side impact the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer without airbags rated a POOR (lowest rating) but the 2009 with side airbags rated a Good (highest rating)

[Suze]

For me the comparison would all come down to weather the iQ has enough up front people space. The smart is extremely roomy and comfortable. I don;t see how the iQ at 29 cm longer and space for 4 can have anywhere near the front seat space.

But when they get here, I'll look.

[smartHHO]

I still preferr the Smart over the IQ. And as for the 4 persons, only small ppl or kids can fit in the back. You can not say it is a TRUE 4 seater if you can not fit at least 4 6FT ppl in the darn thing comfortably.

[a2jack]

As best I could figure out, the article says the IQ has a few big advantages over the Smart. Room, Quality of interior Etc.

It also says the IQ's ride is much better, and the transmission is more suitable for a small car. I couldn't quite catch the reference to a scooter trans, unless they were talking about the feel of an old centrifugal clutch.

The IQ sounds like a welcome addition to the list of micro cars that will soon be on the roads here in the US.

This all Sounds fun, but I'd rather have A Nano as a second car to our Smart. Now that would be a kick! Ta-Ta for now. A2Jack.

[Bill Marshall]

Gee, you'd think that the author would be more partial to the car that's built in France.

[2smartArizona]

Originally Posted by a2jack

As best I could figure out, the article says the IQ has a few big advantages over the Smart. Room, Quality of interior Etc.

It also says the IQ's ride is much better, and the transmission is more suitable for a small car. I couldn't quite catch the reference to a scooter trans, unless they were talking about the feel of an old centrifugal clutch.

A2Jack.

The Toyota has a CVT transmission, so it behaves more like a scooter transmission than a traditional one. New scooters don't have a centrifugal clutch like my old Honda C70 Passport (Cub) did.