
The most ready comparison for the 2015 Scion iQ is Smart's ForTwo.
Both are small and packaged for crowded cities, although the Scion offers 3+1 seating to help make a case for its ability to occasionally carry more than two occupants.
In reality, cars like the Scion and the Fiat 500 and MINI Cooper are effectively two-seaters.
The Scion is a more minimalist machine, a concept that never really caught on here.
It's more modern, more pleasant to drive, and handles better than the ancient Smart ForTwo.
(A new ForTwo is on its way and should be here within a year or so.) Both minicars are rated at 36 or 37 mpg, but the Toyota Prius C--a subcompact five-door hatchback with far more space inside--is rated at 50 mpg, and starts at only $3,500 more than the Scion.
The MINI Cooper and Fiat 500 start at the same level as the Prius C, but bring their stylish charm and a "real car" driving feel.
Finally, there are economy cars--we picked the Toyota Yaris, from the Scion's parent company--that start around the same price as the iQ but offer four normal seats and far more cargo space, with gas mileage only a bit worse and far more pep and performance margin on the highway.
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Quick Specs | |||||
The 2015 Scion iQ is made for city dwellers who have trouble finding parking; others will see it as a fashion accessory or a vehicular oddity. |
The 2015 Toyota Yaris gets an eye-catching new face, spruced-up interior trims, and a somewhat quieter interior, but it lags behind the current crop of U.S.-market subcompacts in many ways. |
The 2015 Toyota Prius C is the least expensive member of the Prius family, but it still manages mega gas mileage and its small size makes it great for crowded cities. |
The 2015 MINI Cooper hardtop is a slightly larger car with all the virtues of earlier MINIs and fewer drawbacks; it's nicer and quieter inside, the base car is closer to the Cooper S in performance, and it retains the rollerskate handling and cheeky character it's always had. |
The Fiat 500 is one of the most stylish ways to choose a small car today, and the Abarth and Turbo models add more excitement for the driver. | |
MSRP From | |||||
$15,665 | $14,845 | $19,540 | $20,700 | $13,270 | $16,845 |
Gas Mileage | |||||
36 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 30 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 53 MPG City / 46 MPG Hwy | 24 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 34 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 28 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||||
Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Gas/Electric I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-3 | Premium Unleaded I-3 | Premium Unleaded I-4 |
EPA Class | |||||
Minicompact Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Subcompact Cars | Two-Seaters | Minicompact Cars |
Style Name | |||||
3-Door HB (GS) | 3-Door Liftback Manual L (GS) | 5-Door HB One (GS) | 2-Door HB | 2-Door Coupe Pure | 2-Door HB Ribelle *Ltd Avail* |
Drivetrain | |||||
Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||||
4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
Passenger Doors | |||||
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||||
Hatchback | Liftback | Hatchback | Hatchback | Coupe | Hatchback |
Transmission | |||||
CVT w/OD | Manual w/OD | CVT w/OD | Manual w/OD | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2015 Scion iQ vs. 2015 Toyota Yaris | 2015 Scion iQ vs. 2015 Toyota Prius C | 2015 Scion iQ vs. 2015 MINI Cooper | 2015 Scion iQ vs. 2015 smart fortwo | 2015 Scion iQ vs. 2015 FIAT 500 |