Why an iQ over a Smart?

[konsole]

I'm in the market for a car and the Scion iQ and the Smart Fortwo are the 2 cars on the top of my list, but right now I give the edge to the Smart. I like the Smart because of the plastic body panels, the slightly better mpg, the full wheel well liners in front and back, and its just a very interesting car. I know plenty about the Smart, but the iQ I could use some more opinions on. I've test driven the iQ and looked over it fairly well, but there are a couple things I'm not crazy about. I'll just list those things to make it easier to read.....

-lack of wheel well liners?
-tight engine bay, and having part of the engine tucked way underneath the dash, makes maintenence a bit difficult?
-small car, but still feels too much like an average car, I want something that doesnt feel like every other car.
-observed mpg is more like lower 30's rather then upper 30's or higher?
-too new to buy slightly used, so have to pay ~$16,000 minimum
-seats seem to be mediocre at best

Can anybody respond with their opinions or more information you might have about the above?

Any pros and cons you have discovered about your Scion iQ?

No doubt the iQ is a better car then the Smart, but the things that make it a better car like ride quality, power, handling, looks, don't matter as much to me as mpg, build quality, ease of maintenence, simplicity etc. are. So in other words a car that performs great is nice, but not my priority.

[gokartride]

I can't do a two-seater, and so I like that the iQ allows for that extra passenger.

Burns regular fuel.

Toyota engineering is pretty good.

Wider stance makes it nice on the highway.

[RexIQ]

From my personal experience...

I switched from a Smart Fortwo Cabrio

1. I can use 87 octane again. The Smart demanded 91 or better.
2. I can take 2 more passengers (and I have done it. Four people in the iQ.)
3. It's still small enough to fit my 2 motorbikes, my roommates 2 motorbikes, and this iQ in one parking space without having to move any vehicle in order to get one out.
4. The stock Pioneer head with Bluetooth is better than the Smart's radio.
5. The CVT engine is better than the Smart's assisted manual transmission, better response. (test drive a Smart and you'll see what I mean...think "rocking chair")
6. More horsepower than the Smart.
7. More airbags.
8. Smoother ride, less stiff than the Smart.
9. More dealer support.
10. It still has all of the safety features like TRAC, ABS, VSC, etc. OMG!
11. The new car smell on the Smart has dissipated... LOL!!!

[TwoBear]

One word: transmission.

[Spidious]

I am a mechanic and have worked on both vehicles. As well as many, many other cars.
In one word
TOYOTA !
I own a 2010 Camry, 2012 iQ, traded in my Yaris for a Tacoma.
Which I traded in for a iQ due to the 4X4 poor fuel mileage and huge tank.
My son owns a 2010 Yaris and loves it.
Scion is basically a Toyota, and the quality just can't be even remotely matched by the Smart car.
The Smart car is small, but has a lot of problems with dependability, maintenance, even finding somebody that is willing to work on one.
I presume that you have looked at a Smart car in person and not just pictures of one.
Drive one and drive the iQ and you will see a big difference.
You couldn't pay me to own a Smart car. But I as many others are proud of their iQ's

[Dave777]

I owned a smart (yes, lowercase is correct) for two years. Very much enjoyed it, but the transmission is it's worst feature, and I refused to be an apologist for that or rationalize how it was somehow wonderful.

It got great mileage. Officially EPA, it's not quite up to the iQ, but check for real world numbers at www.fuelly.com and you'll see that the smart typically gets better MPG. I have gotten the EPA listed mileage of 37 in the iQ, consistently.

The iQ is not as "cute," but that's overcome with a better ride and better transmission, even though the CVT isn't perfect. I never intend to carry 3 or 4 people in it, and the rear seats are folded down at all times, giving a really nice trunk space.

I wouldn't call the engine placement in the smart a better one than the iQ. Not at all easy to access. Go to the dealer, and try it.

[FreddieB]

Everyone here has touched on all the main differences. Only thing I can add is that you'll probably pay Mercedes prices for service and parts after your warranty expires and I would think that it would take longer to get the parts. My biggest issue when I test drove the smart was the stiff ride and slow shifting transmission. I have watched numerous videos on youtube where the people complain about the interior rattling. Oh and I would bet on the iQ having the better trade-in value. Good luck with whatever you choose!

[konsole]

Everyone here has touched on all the main differences. Only thing I can add is that you'll probably pay Mercedes prices for service and parts after your warranty expires and I would think that it would take longer to get the parts. My biggest issue when I test drove the smart was the stiff ride and slow shifting transmission. I have watched numerous videos on youtube where the people complain about the interior rattling. Oh and I would bet on the iQ having the better trade-in value. Good luck with whatever you choose!

The resale value is only a concern if I was buying either car new, but the Smart can be found for a few thousand less slightly used. I think if ride quality is that important to me I would choose the iQ, but ride quality isnt my priority. Your other points I'm still debating on.

It seems nobody has mentioned anything about the wheel well liners. Do I recall correctly that the iQ doesnt have wheel well liners? I don't want rocks bouncing around inside the wheel well and chipping the paint.

[FreddieB]

There is a full liner running through the front wheel well but only a partial one in back. I've had a few tiny stones rattle around the rear opening but nothing that would chip the paint. I think the tread design makes it hard for large stones to get caught in the tires. I was originally leaning toward the smart but I'm happy now that I bought the iQ. This is my fifth Toyota overall and I have never had any issues with the previous four. The biggest advantage for me comes from the extra width of the iQ. Not only is it more stable in crosswinds but you don't feel like you're sitting on top of your passenger. Oh and one more thing. The climate control system in the iQ is fantastic. I live in Florida and the A/C is always cold even on the hottest days.

[master-yoda]

-too new to buy slightly used, so have to pay ~$16,000 minimum

.

it's NOT a NEW car, it's an American version of TOYOTA IQ, sold in EUROPE since 2008 (mine is 2009), the 1.3VVTi engine is one of the best engine and can be find on lot of other model

[RexIQ]

it's NOT a NEW car, it's an American version of TOYOTA IQ, sold in EUROPE since 2008 (mine is 2009), the 1.3VVTi engine is one of the best engine and can be find on lot of other model

I believe the OP meant that it's a new car in the U.S. so finding a used version of it here will be close to buying new, less depreciation and all. The only used U.S. model sold here is a 2012 (if ever a previous iQ owner ends up selling what they bought just a few months ago as new).

[barnone]

Plenty of used IQs on Ebay, AutoTrader.com, and craigslist.

[galone]

because paying an extra $5000 to the smartcar and show off to your friends and family, larger interior(comparatively to the smart), receiving poor mileage and brag about that HUGE 94HP engine is just worth it. +you get the more attention then you would if u were driving a BMW

[TavuL iQ]

my iQ gave me 41mpg!!!! obviously with premium gas but I think is a lot!!! (compare to my Acura MDX 17mpg's) I know it is a regular burner but I just prefer premium...so if MPG's is your concern believe you will get those in the iQ and still being toyota not mercedes-benz.

[ladybugb]

OP, you say the ride is not a factor for you but if you have a smart car, it will be. I had a smart for 4 years before trading it in for an IQ. Having had small cars all my life, I'm used to a bit of a bumpy ride and though I enjoyed my smart overall, I had bone-jarring experiences hitting potholes in it. I mean, headache for days, teeth rattling, sore bones issues--it got to the point that I got anxious when driving bumpy roads. Driving in the IQ is way smoother and still engaging and fun without the literal headache.
I love buying regular gas and being able to easily fit a 3rd person, if I need to. The car just feels solid and strong and zippy whereas the smart feels like it may fall apart at any moment and the hesitation of the transmission got old quickly. Folks stop me all the time in the IQ, just as with the smart if its the wow factor you're looking for.
Also, in the 5 months I've had the IQ, not one problem--the same time with the smart, it was towed to the dealer at least 3 times.