First Impressions

[Dewi Daniels]

I took delivery of my new Toyota IQ on Saturday. I ordered an IQ2 in Chilli Red with leather upholstery and the JBL premium sound upgrade.

I had very mixed feelings as I drove my Smart ForTwo Cabriolet for the last time. I'd owned it for five years, since new, and I'd grown very, very fond of it. I'm glad to report that I'm delighted with my new purchase.

The dealer said it was the first Chilli Red IQ they'd sold, and that it had attracted a lot of attention on the forecourt. It was also the first time that I'd seen a red IQ. I'd been tempted to order a white IQ, but I reasoned that the red was less money and a rarer colour. I'm very pleased with my choice of colour. I think it looks really nice. It's particularly pleasing to be able to see a splash of red from the driver's seat, as the interior colours are quite subdued.

I'm also really pleased with the leather upholstery. I feel the leather really lifts the look of the interior and gives it a much more upmarket feel. It's also more practical, since we can wipe off our dog's paw prints with a wet wipe (as happened on Sunday). I've since ordered the reversible boot mat so that I can fold the rear seats (he'd get dog hairs all over the boot carpet as things stand at the moment).

The dealer also said it was the first time they'd sold a JBL premium sound upgrade. In fact, they got a specialist auto electrician from Toyota to show them how to fit it. He said that Toyota's worksheet said it should take 4 hours, but that it had taken the trained electrician 6 hours. He said that all the mechanics had been really impressed by the sound quality. Again, it was the first time I'd heard the JBL upgrade. At first, I thought the the sound was very good, but I wasn't as bowled over as I'd hoped that I would be. However, by the time I got home, I was converted. The more I listen to it, the more I like the sound (a bit like my old Quad tuner). It has a very mellow sound, which doesn't grow harsh or tiring. It's easily good enough to reveal the difference in broadcast quality between FM stations and sounds excellent with my wife's iPod. I'd say it sounds better than our Tivoli Model One Radio (which is high praise), but not quite as good as the sound system in my old Volvo S80 (mind you, that had something like 9 Speakers instead of the 6 Speakers in the IQ). For a similar price to pearl or metallic paint, I'd say that it's well worth the money.

It's exactly what I remember from the test drive. It's the car that the new Smart should have been. While the new Smart ForTwo was a slight improvement on my 2004 ForTwo, the IQ is a big improvement. The IQ feels a different class of car to the Smart. The most striking difference is that the IQ is very, very quiet compared to the Smart. I'm also enjoying all the gadgets. I like the automatic headlights, the automatic climate control and the keyless entry system. I'm waiting for it to rain so that I can try out the automatic wipers!

It's a shame that the IQ2 doesn't come with the start/stop system. However, it would make no sense at all to upgrade to the IQ3 with its (slightly) less economical and environmentally-friendly engine so as to gain a feature that reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (but still not to the low levels enjoyed by the IQ2)!

After driving to work and back today, the trip computer is displaying 53.8 mpg. I trust that the fuel consumption will improve further as the engine starts to loosen up.

[SooZ]

I do miss my Smart cabrio on the nice sunny days, and I just KNOW im gonna miss the heated seats in the winter, but hey, I lubs my IQ2 :)

[macabeus]

If you knew that before why not order the heated seats?................or have them installed before the winter begins?

[SooZ]

prolly cost about 6zillion pounds - thats why :P

[macabeus]

Trade it for an Aygo and cash back! ..have your seats heated and have cash for years worth of fuel! :o

[Dewi Daniels]

I agree, I thought my ForTwo Cabrio was the best car in the world on sunny days, driving with the roof down. But in the depths of winter, the poor visibility through the plastic rear window and the dark, gloomy interior sometimes made me wonder whether I should have bought a ForTwo Coupe.

I wasn't aware that heated seats were available in the UK. I don't see any mention of them in the IQ brochure or the price list. I'd have considered heated seats if they were a reasonable price, but I'm quite happy without them.

[TRS]

Hello everyone, been reading the forum for a month or so but this is the first post!

Picked up my IQ last Saturday (base version in tyrol silver). Now approaching 500 miles and itching to get past the tedious 'running in' stage! So far, so good and very much enjoying the car. I've previously owned a Citroen C1 so was familiar with the engine, although the gearing in the IQ is a bit different. Unfortunately, I have the notchy second gear which I see has affected a few forum members. I'm hoping it will improve over time but will see how it goes, doesn't seem people who have taken the car back in have had much improvement. Shame really, as second upwards it is a lovely smooth box! The less said about the 'shift' indicator the better, wish it could be turned off!!

Also, got myself some 303 aerospace stuff to coat the interior after reading this forum. Not sure it will help with scratches, but it sure improves the look of things. Had a few marks where the seatbelt retracts and it got rid of those. I only have 2 very small scratches so far, hoping to keep it that way!

Having owned the C1, I know how good the engine is (once run in!) and i'm currently getting 55mpg - pleased with that but hoping to nudge nearer 60mpg when it's done 4-5000 miles or so. The car is so much quieter than the C1 which surprised me.

Overall then, very pleased! :D

[macabeus]

On eBay.....heaters for seats!.........cheap as well.