Best car review I have seen in years. Comparing both cars driven above potholes ( especially if you live in England) , tight garage/ parking space loading etc. Instead of pointless lapping around a race track and going side ways. Good work mate.
That was a mistake I made during editing - it was supposed to be in the video. The IQ gearbox is very smooth and works exactly how an auto box should. It will crawl along if it is put in Drive or Reverse to assist with parking. It also has enough drive to hold the car when setting off on a slope. It can take longer to change up than I would like though.
I generally prefer autos, howver the IQ is very sporty to drive. Its just fun to throw around and for that a manual gearbox suits the character of the car.
Whilst enthusiasm is (normally) an admirable trait. I'm speaking as a person who has owned both these cars. You'll notice in my review I didn't dismiss either model..and presented a balanced personal opinion (whilst at the same time not trying to force this onto others). As I stated before, you should always buy the car that suits YOU. The Smart in the UK does not come with power steering as standard. The Brabus is a more expensive limited edition and was not the subject of this comparison.
Love the review. Liked how you used the toy car. For me can't bring myself to buy a car gotta be a truck. I've got a full size Dodge ram 4 door with 4x4 and what I call a grocery getter with is s Toyota Tacoma standard cab long bed 4x4. Thanks for sharing
I like the review, we have owned both living in the US. A basic IQ and Passion, drawback to the Smart we had was the gearbox, here it is auto unless the shifter is changed to manual? It had a connector that would turn on the check engine light that was easy to fix but annoying, 130,000 current US miles with no other issues and.. for those of us that do our own maintenance easy to change fluids at home in a matter of minutes without having to lift vehicle at all even if your a fat guy :). Our IQ had electrical issues by 80,000 miles, and the engine had already had a coil go bad. Both were fun to drive and very driveable on trip up to 200 miles or so, beyond that they both road rough. Personal choice by a fair margin is the Smart, BUT either would be a good choice.
I just want to say a HUGE thank you for putting the time and effort into this video. You've picked up on a lot of areas that I missed during a test drive of the iQ and areas other reviewers gloss over. Nice to know that there's cubbies under the seats and under the boot and the turning circle demonstration made my jaw drop. Great work.
I find it fine for long trips. It's very relaxing to drive with the auto gearbox. It is definitely a bit revvy at certain speeds though...so try before you buy.
That's one reason I like your reviews so much! (I've seen *many* of the 'action cam' ones, and now this one [so far]) The fact that you are so logical and fair-minded is what helps so much. Nice to find someone who bases their reviews on facts, and tells it like it is!
It's certainly an option. When I bought my IQ the Up! wasn't available with an auto gearbox...which was something I wanted at the time. I believe they do offer this option now. I like my IQ though, so will be hanging on to it.
Thanks, glad I could be of help. Not being mechanically minded, I instead tried to concentrate on the things that weren't obvious from the brochures or covered in any of the reviews that I'd seen, the more practical things that matter to a owner rather than a test driver. Got to say that I'm really enjoying this car..only negatives, the engine is a bit revvy at times and the mpg is mid 40s at best (so far).
You just saved me from buying a smart Fortwo and convinced me to go with the Scion/Toyota IQ. This was an excellent review. I really noticed a dramatic difference in the cabin sound level between the two cars. IQ was much quieter. Prices here in the Midwest USA are close to the same on either car so the IQ is for me.
Get one whilst you can, the IQ has been discontinued and they aren't making it any more. The Smart has been completely redone this year too - you can see me taking a look around one in this video th-cam.com/video/sn2GZTVVKUc/w-d-xo.htmlm32s
Techmoan Thank you for that information and video clip. One feature I do like about the smart is the reinforced seating in case there is a shift in freight. I do carry some heavy materials in the back and would hate to have them force the seat forward in an accident. I did not notice that feature on the IQ. Prices on both are good here in Missouri, USA because they neither one sell well. I was just looking at a 2013 IQ with under 100 miles on it. It is at a dealer and they are asking $12,700
Cdogbillionaire Only automatic with choice of personal or computer shifting. I bought a little 2012 and am averaging around 40 mpg by letting the computer do the shifting.
The MX5 was a really well made, quality car, with a nice engine. The fuel economy was a bit hard to live with, given the current fuel price. I was disappointed about the amount of interior space....there was wasted space behind the seats that was impossible to use. The car was very long for the amount of useable space inside. A Mini could fit four people and some luggage in a space much shorter than the MX5 took up. It was also too low for me to get into and out of with my dodgy old back.
I had 3 of those Smart cars (it's the 451 variant) and was great. The panels were also designed to be interchangeable (mix n match colours) and is largely a recyclable vehicle.
Thats the RD32II and it's mounting kit - you can find a review of this cam and the head mounting connection kit on my channel. The in-car sound comes from the RD32II too (which is why it's a bit out of sync with the footage of me from the Extreme cam that I attached upside down to the window and flipped the footage during editing).
+jalene150 they're nothing like driving a go-kart. They have a ridiculously high center of gravity compared to the wheelbase, they make no power, they're woefully impractical, they're fairly expensive for what they are. If you buy a modern diesel hatchback or a gas city car like a Fiesta or Polo you'll be better off on fuel, and it will be better in every single other way. These are just trendy toys for people to gloat about.
+Azureecosse I live in Paris and space is an issue, so we see lots of small cars. Something which is totally normal here : when you park (parallel parking that is), you leave a very small gap between cars (around a couple centimeters), or even touching bumpers; which is appreciated by other people, because you optimize every bit of space (since you can cram on more cars in the same street). :D
I really comes down to your needs. I have a 2013 Smart and I love it. Super cheap, extremely practical even though the suspension is a bit rough, and I can make my own parking spaces. It's not too shabby on road trips either, although I wish the seats were a bit more comfortable; but you get what you pay for. I'm extremely pleased with mine. And it honestly hauls ass if it weren't for the single clutch transmission it has no trouble keeping up on the freeway
Hy I'm planning on trading my 2008 smart fortwo for a 2010 IQ, for city commute, I see that you have a mini now, it was also an option. Having experience with all of them what would you advise, if you could? A similar video with the mini would be great. I like the iQ for the higher driving position and fuel economy, over the mini, and presence of servo, and emergency seat, over the smart... Thanks!
I had my garage built between two existing detached houses, so the space was limited by this. The IQ3 (as well as all the other IQs) currently qualify for zero road tax, based on their emissions. The IQ has stability and traction control.
Great review even all these years later. My wife has a 2008 Smart and we are looking at a 2012-2015 Scion iQ. This really puts day to day driving with these two into perspective.
So do I. I'll cut and paste my earlier answer "The Smart is an official Minichamps model from a Smart showroom. The IQ was off eBay. They are both 1:43 scale models"
Funny, that question was on my list as well when I was looking at the IQ.The short answer is no, but it's less important on the IQ because of the way the gears are engaged. The Smart won't crawl along in 1 or R, without you having to press the accelerator. The IQ is a normal auto so the idling engine revs will move it slowly. Therefore on a hill start, it's already pulling itself a bit, so won't roll back quickly when you move your foot from the brake to the accelerator. You get enough time.
I’ve driven both and I prefer the engaging drive of the smart car. I prefer to shift myself, lift off the accelerator when shifting, then hit it again once changed. Just like a manual. It honestly feels like a go cart. In the way of noise and the roughness of the drive... but I truly enjoy that more than any car I’ve driven. The IQ feels way more like a normal car. I drove one around Santorini and to me it felt soulless.
I forgot to mention the IQ auto gearbox - which works perfectly and invisibly behind the scenes without drawing attention to itself and crawls in reverse and drive which comes in very useful when parking.
I like the original Minis too, I really would have liked the Mini Rocketman concept to come to fruition, but unfortunately they decided not to bring it out.
@UCvuHFl5sT4VfFieMMTt9s3g you are an idiot. The smart is manual automated transmission. The toyota has a cvt transmission. Very different from an automatic
I never had an Audi. My cars so far have been a 1979 MG Midget, a 1989 Toyota MR2 T-Bar, 1996 MG-F, 1998 Ford KA3, 2002 Mercedes A-Class, 2007 Mini, 2009 Smart, 2011 Mazda MX5, and this 2012 IQ3. I've always had small cars, often 2 seaters, being a two person family, it makes little sense to carry around an additional two empty passenger seats for most of the time.
Why all the hate for the IQ. I just had a test drive in a 1ltr IQ2 today. I was amazed at the acceleration for such a small engine. I had to stop and lift the bonnet to make sure they had not given me a 1.3 to try. But, no, it only had three cylinders. It was a fantastic drive. I think others need to drive it before they dismiss it as a gimmick or pointless. A similar spec Yaris is more expensive. If you don't want a micro car then don't buy one. If you do, the IQ is the best.
I've seen this video a couple of years ago, but didnt have a iq back then, now i own one for a couple of months. And i have had those back seat headrests all the time behind my seat. And only now discover true this video, that there is an actual place inside for it. So thanks!😂😁
I agree this is the best compare review for these two cars. another example why owners make the best reviewers. they don't have an agenda. I always like the honest unbiased reviews of products so consumers can make an informed decision before purchasing. Toyota products typically get a lot of bad reviews because professional reviewers have an agenda. but still Toyota ranks among the best in sales. proof that their buyers don't pay attention to bad reviews. they know they're great cars.
It's a 1:43 Minichamps model...bought from a Smart Dealership (they have a catalogue of things like this). You can of course buy minchamps models in other places too, but I needed a specific colour that was only available from the Smart dealers.
I have the original Smart City Coupe from 2001, on 115k KM(71k miles), and honestly its amazing, reliable and is fun as hell, while it sure isn't fast or the best handling car, its nippy as hell and so fun!
No that's not been a problem or me. I have experienced this issue in other cars though, like my old MX5. The drivers seat height can be adjusted (in my version anyway), but the passengers is fixed.
I live here in Southern California and I've had my IQ for about almost 5 years and love it. I did notice that after I bought aftermarket rims that were wider than the stock ones the car did run a lot smoother and less bumpy. I would like to know where you got that IQ toy car
Well done. I think I have watched most of your other videos, and have enjoyed them a great deal. It was great to see you tackle something different. Your attention to detail and sense of humor translate to car... evaluation? comparison? not review... very well. If you ever do another car video, I'll definitely watch! Thank you!
When I saw the miniature, my first thought was "oh, a crashtest between two small cars, let's see". My eyebrow raised when I saw this is a video from Techmoan, and I LOL'd when realised what this video is about 😂
Really helpful, thank you. My lovely little Smart car was killed too! Rear-ended in the floods. It had power steering and I loved the soft-touch automatic gears, which meant I could manually change up, to overcome the issues you mentioned with the slow automatic response, but it would still change down for me when approaching junctions, etc. Very handy. I'm considering an iQ as a replacement, and your review has been so helpful in making comparisons. Thank you 👍👍
Advantages of the smart car over the IQ: It stands out on the road compared to the IQ. Plastic panels can be hit or kicked hard and will not ding. Try that on the IQ. I’ve had someone open their door and hit my smart pretty hard, but it didn’t leave a mark. Afterwards a friend asked me about it, so I kicked my door as hard as I could. Again, no marks or dings. Pretty cool! Try that on your IQ! Has a split tailgate, not the cheap and less useful hatchback. Groceries and other items won’t fall out like they do with a hatchback. I know because our van is a hatchback. And nothing falls out on an incline with the smart. Try that with the IQ. And stuff can be stacked up safer in the smart than in the IQ. Can maneuver through spaces the IQ can only dream about. (The smart is 6 to 9 inches narrower and about 12” shorter in length than the IQ) I once had an IQ try to keep up with me, but I was able to get through an opening between two cars that the IQ could only dream about! Takes up less room in a garage. Much more room for other things, like my library, Soloflex, Treadmill, Total Gym, cabinets all around, etc. etc. Has a sunroof. Don’t know if that comes as an option for the IQ. Manual transmissions are just more fun to drive! Has a ledge that sticks out from the dashboard: great for pens, pencils, cellphones, etc. And it looks awesome! More fun being able to say “I have a Mercedez” rather than “I have a Toyota”. Can sit on the tailgate. Can stand on the tailgate. Can climb over something from the tailgate. Oops! IQ doesn’t have a tailgate. Hatch does not go up as high as the hatchback of the IQ so much less likely to hit something. Has a tridion safety cell so is much safer in a rollover crash or if something falls onto the smart as compared to the IQ. Soft top/cabriolet version available. Brabus version available. This adds all kinds of features. MHD version available - a pretty clever idea! Electric version available. Diesel version available in some countries. Gets between 60-80 mpg! Costs less than the IQ. Can change body panels. Sits up higher than the IQ. It’s a two seater. Much better for one-on-one relationships. Never have tag-alongs! With seat down and tailgate down, can lay down in the smart. Great for looking out the moon roof or for a drive-in theater, or just relaxing. In an accident the engine is in the back. It won’t be pushed into you from the front and is designed to go under you if hit from the back. I like that! Lots of smart clubs around. By the way, I also have a 2009 smart, but mine has power steering. Also, I would never have bought a car that I had to 100% of the time remember to fold the side mirrors in just to get out of my garage. Forget one time and....oops!, just lost a mirror! (My wife did that once with her 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse!) Additionally, my car has never had a rattle, nor have I heard of that, so I think it’s just your particular car. Oh, it also appeared in your video that there is lot more window space in the smart, which could also be seen in the toy cars. And I would hate that annoying reflection in your car. Very annoying! Yes the IQ has some advantages also, but you’ve already covered those - at least in your opinion. By the way, I also like the Mini Cooper. Updated 2/24/2020 My 2009 smart fortwo now has 102,884 miles on it and still has not had any problems! Oh, I'm 6'5" tall, 250 lbs with a 36" inseam (see my videos), and I've got plenty of room! Updated 4/2022 At 128,000 miles I finally traded in my 2009 smart fortwo. It still had not been into the shop for anything (other than normal maintenance.) I now have a 2016 smart fortwo, third generation. It has much smoother transmission gear changes, is a six speed, has a crazy turning circle of less than 23 feet (radius less than 12 feet), a built-in smart phone holder, the plastic panels keep their color now - even if chipped, air vents that remind me of the Martian ships in the original classic sci-fi movie - War of The Worlds. It’s also 25% faster with its turbo. I miss my old smart car, but this newer version is fun in ways that cannot be matched by any other car that I know of. Fun, fun, fun! And if you’re into large format photography, like me, you’ll notice that the new instrument display, when turned off, looks like a monochrome viewing filter, such as was sold by the late Fred Picker of Zone VI Studios. Very cool!
I could describe it as such, the smart is a more fun car, but the iq is practical and higher quality. Also the iq gets a manual (5 or 6 speed depending on the engine) and the interiors are very nice, especially if you can get the half leather seats.
The auto gearbox of the IQ works the same as any normal auto. Very smooth and hard to spot when its changed up or down. I have to say that the IQ 3 (the 1.33 engine) does do a lot of revving at slower speeds, it feels like it takes too long to change up for me. I think this is how it is supposed to be, but I would prefer it changed up sooner. The economy of the 1.33 engine isn't great in auto. I'm getting 40 mpg out of a tank at the moment....was hoping for closer to 50.
Wow! Incredible amount of work gone into this I am actually comparing the two for visiting patients in London (my Lexus Jeep is a bit cumbersome & hard to park in some areas/drive ways). My sensible head says the auto 1.33 iQ, my petrol head says an 84bhp 1 litre Smart with a remap, new exhaust & filter & maybe an uprated turbo & springs...
Great video. Hard off to you. The gf recently bought a Brabus edition Smart. What a great looking little car. I love taking it on the freeway. People get enticed to race me because I pass them easily. Great little car. Fun fun fun.
Are you serious ? Where do you live that you can pass people easily with a smart ? The thing merely has a top speed of 155 km/h and 102 hp, the shitty mercedes 4 cylinder with 136hp I got reaches a top speed about 208 km/h and I really do not consider it a fast car.
I drive all over the U.S. in a smart and pass everyone easily. Love all the misinformation in this so-called review which I find to be biased. The American people have been sold a bill of goods and the size of the vehicles prove it. One day these small cars will be all that you see.
I own one myself (1,0 engine) and I wouldn’t change it for anything , I’ve driven it to the city and even mountains and it didn’t let me down. I bought it second hand and I easily can fit 3 more people in it because I’m tiny and I can pull my seat really frond. Great first car , would highly suggest it ☺️🙌🏻
It's very good, its a CVT gearbox so I can't feel any change up or down. It does still rev a bit up a hill at low speed, but that's pretty standard for a smaller engine.
The new 2015 smart has a standard manual transmission version as well as a standard automatic version. It also has a four foot tighter turning radius than the IQ. And the battery now has easier access.
Techmoan That's too bad that they are ending the IQ. I have a couple books about the fortwo and one of them says that the company lost money for most of its early production (partly because of the lack of sells of the roadster and forfour). That could happen again with the re-introduction of the forfour. Though I see things a little differently, I did enjoy your review.
I changed from a Smart to an IQ. It's all good except for fuel efficiency and fun. my Smart was very fast, as I had it chipped. My IQ is sluggish and not as zippy. Also, the fuel gauge goes up and down at will. Not very accurate! I love small cars, and I love my IQ. I can park it anywhere, do U turns etc. Road tax exempt. I can transport 2 adults and 2 hobbits. It feels like a big car, and handles well. I can't fit a roof box, though, which sucks.
Can't remember. I got it done at Smarts R Us in Nottingham. It does make a visible difference. Smarts have been restricted at the factory. Also put on a new air filter and exhaust. Great fun!
If I ever feel the need for speed for my little smart I'll probably just invest in a stage 3 turbo and kick it to 160hp. Or get a sports car for weekend fun driving.
I own an IQ with CVT transmission and I love it, I have also recently had after marketCruise control fitted to it which makes it even better. Im a big bloke (22 Stone and 6foot tall) and have had two fully grown passengers, the guy in the back said it was comfortable enough for shortish journeys but he thought that he might become travel sick due to the lack of visibility for a longer trip.
Subscribed straight away because your review was just so in depth and realistic. Everything you said was straight to the point, very structured . Looking forward to watching to more of your uploads.
10:17 RE: The wingmirror car width issue. This is because different world regions have different requirements for mirror size. EU increased the mirror size quite a while ago and that's why even small cars in the EU (like the IQ) have massive mirrors which lot out of proportion. You may find images online of IQs in other regions with smaller mirrors.
Fair and honest review and comments. Great respect Techmoan. I did have a bunch of comments tumbling around in my head, but really who cares? I see Smart cars here in the US and to be honest they look ridiculous and quite deadly among the larger vehicles typically found here. Our roads are covered is large semi-trailer trucks, full size pickups right down to smaller cars and the smaller cars are still typically 2x the size of a Smart Car. Also our typical highway speed is 60-75 MPH. I personally do not think a crash in a Smart Car is survivable at those speeds up against the mass they would be impacting. I haven't seen any data on this, but it has to exist somewhere. I have been to the UK and the driving conditions there (I mainly drove between Maidenhead and London and there about) is much different. These cars make a lot more sense there. At 6' 5" I have no hope of fitting into one of these. This is not unique to the Smart Car. I have issues fitting into most vehicles especially when more than 2 passengers are a consideration. I did test drive a Mini Cooper and I must say I really like them. The first time I saw one was when I was in the UK before they came here and I fell in love with it immediately. I was very serious about buying one back in 2002 or so, but with a family on the way I bought something more practical. Anyway thank you again for the look at these two interesting vehicles. As you say everyone's needs are different.
You would be surprised about the safety of these things. A friend of mine got into a severe accident with his smart car and it protected him incredibly well. He was actually involved in a multi car pile up and ended up in the middle. He was able to walk away with only minor injuries. They really do a good job on these things!
People rarely change them, although it is possible, the costs are prohibitive and a full set of panels is hard to source in the UK. Even if the fact that you can't dint one is accidental, it's still a good feature.
Me too! Been driving a 2012 Smart Fortwo coupe for two years. There are times when I sometimes wish I had a different car (the shocks are terrible so when I hit a pothole the car absorbs everything), but the vast majority of the time I love my smart. People always are curious about it. And it's baffling to me when I hear people say it "drives terribly". People who say they had that experience simply don't know how to drive it. I figured out how to drive it in manual the RIGHT way.
i have owned three Smart Fortwos (all the earlier turbo charged versions)and tried the IQ just after it was released but just didn't feel special to me. Few things i thought i would make people aware of, at least on the older 600 and 700cc turbo cars- not all models had the auto mode, only Passion or better specs. It has an automated manual gearbox, rather than a more standard auto gearbox which is why a lot of reviewers disliked it, but you get used to it quite quickly. The full glass roof on the smart helps to make it feel very spacious. I am 6'5" tall and fit very comfortably inside, on one occasion i even managed to buy a washing machine and take it home with me. The Smart has a split-fold tailgate, the bottom metal part is strong enough to sit on, and you only have to open the upper glass part to stick the shopping in the boot. Although there is no power steering, it is not heavy as the weight of the engine is at the rear.
I have a smart fortwo and am very interested in getting a toyota IQ. I am very interested in knowing if the IQ handles better than the smart car. How do you find it around corners, and is it zippier than the smart? It must be so wonderful to have a car that doesn't hesitate between gears!
+Claire Carmichael I no longer have it - but compared to the model of Smart I owned it was much better to drive. However IQs are no longer being made and the Smart has a new design, so things may be different with the new Smart models.
There are a lot of great cars on the market, but this video was just comparing two of the smallest ones readily available in the UK. I needed a small car due to my restrictive garage dimensions. Neither of these cars have good fuel economy, but they will fit in my garage.
I'll stay with the Smart 451 over the Toyota IQ, and the semi-auto gearbox of smart is a little slow at changing in auto but can ba used in manual mode
This is awesome!! I also own a Smart 450 (after using a 451) and the IQ was a car I will consider next as well. This helps make up my mind! You explained certain aspects that no one else has bothered doing- in two words- Thank You!!
I will cosign. I have owned both. I had a 2008 Smart and currently drive a 2012 Scion IQ. It's marketed under Scion in the United States. It's a lot peppier and maintenance is so much cheaper. I had to take the Smart to Mercedes. The IQ I can take to Toyota.
@Steve smart is better the Iq is a blatant ripoff yeah it might drive a bit more refined I have an 08 smart I like it's rear wheel drive...iq is just like a really small Nissan versa
my smart overheated 2 months ago, dealer either replaced the thermostat with another bad thermostat or gave me a $900 car wash. don't trust it over 20 miles. just put $500 down for a 2014 Scion iQ with 16K miles. i remembered your review from 3 years ago. Scions being toyotas are super reliable, so i am replacing my smart with an iQ, thanks bro!
During parking and slow speed manoeuvres power steering is very handy. If I was buying another Smart and had the option of power steering I'd definitely choose it.
I've got a 2015 smart and have none of the rattle issues. The suspension seems better and the only noise issue I've noticed is wind noise at higher speeds. I love my smart.
Three years interest free credit and the fact that the Toyota IQ updated it's interior in 2011. Have a look on Autotrader and see how many 2011 IQ3's with an Auto Gearbox are for sale, I checked for weeks and didn't see a single one...this is a very difficult car to get hold of. Toyota restrict the numbers imported to keep used prices high, it works, so well in fact that getting a new one with interest free credit was cheaper than the book price for a second hand one and an interest paying loan.
I was concerned about this, but I haven't noticed any difference. I liked the tall driving position in the Smart and I think the IQ must be a little lower, but it doesn't feel it. The seat can be raised up in the IQ so maybe this has some effect.
I had an A Class in 2002. It was a very good car. Over the years they became too expensive. I liked the sandwich floor concept...but unfortunately they've dropped this innovation for the new 2013 A Class. The new model is just another normal saloon car and It's lost all it's individuality. The auto press loves the redesign, so it's no wonder that most cars look the same when anything different gets criticised.
It has your right and this is purely down to import tax costs which is not financially viable for Toyota, it's a shame the iq is a cracking car n the 1,33 was a little pocket rocket I miss mine
I'm glad you made this. I have a smart and love it but you are right they need a better suspension. But since it's a mercedes you have to already know that they have lousy suspension. Their cars are made like tanks and are just supposed to last. Japanese cars are the best on the market as we all know. They last forever and have the best suspension and stick shifts. Yet I still love my smart.
There is a lot I liked about the Smart and I would have preferred a diesel IQ, but it's not available in the UK. When it comes time to change the IQ and I've paid off the finance, the new Renault based Smart will be out and I really hope that they have made enough improvements to temp me back.
I'm not seeing excellent economy in mine yet. First tank approx 43 mpg, second refill more like 40. I need to do some longer runs in it and let it bed in a bit, but mpg really isn't blowing me away yet. If I had bought the 999cc IQ2 manual it would have been better, but I wanted auto and the 0-60 in the 999cc with an auto gearbox was very sluggish on paper, probably slower than the Smart.
With none of the safety, reliability and refinement of modern cars. Don't get me wrong, I like old vehicles. I currently don't own anything newer than 85. But the suggestion of getting a classic is completely irrelevant, when a guy trades in a 2009 to get a 2012. He's not looking for nostalgia; he's looking for a turnkey runabout that he needs do nothing to except oil changes and feeding it fuel.
I think it's probably best if you and a friend go to a showroom and see if you can drive with him sat behind you. I can't imagine that you would buy any car without having a look at it first, so take someone along with you when you go.
Good comparison. I like that you simply highlighted the highs and lows rather than declaring one better than the other. Honestly I think they're an even match. Both cars are tailored for different city drivers and offer a special uniqueness.
Which car? The IQ is the only car on the market with a rear window airbag. It's got a 5 star NCAP rating with 91% adult occupant score. The Smart Fortwo gets a 4 star NCAP rating overall. This information can be accessed by doing a google search with the word NCAP and the model details.
He has to be related to James May. The way he sounds and the way he rambles on about technical stuff. It's just so perfect.
WAS THINKING EXACTLY THE SAME HAHAH
If you close your eyes,you will think is mister slow,they really sound the same.
Aren't all Brits related, having lived on an island for so many centuries?
He is, James is his first cousin.
Is this not James?!
Best car review I have seen in years. Comparing both cars driven above potholes ( especially if you live in England) , tight garage/ parking space loading etc. Instead of pointless lapping around a race track and going side ways. Good work mate.
It's like Top Gear used to be when it first started, intelligent, informative, and actually useful.
With such small dimensions, you have to admire the engineering that went into these things.
That was a mistake I made during editing - it was supposed to be in the video. The IQ gearbox is very smooth and works exactly how an auto box should. It will crawl along if it is put in Drive or Reverse to assist with parking. It also has enough drive to hold the car when setting off on a slope. It can take longer to change up than I would like though.
I generally prefer autos, howver the IQ is very sporty to drive. Its just fun to throw around and for that a manual gearbox suits the character of the car.
I think my Scion IQ is great. I just learned to drive at age 62 😁...this cute little bugger helped me overcome my fear of learning to drive.
i still cant drive at 33... it seems there is still hope :)
Gibbon Aston Martin Cygnet
I got a 1959 Morris Minor and I learned to drive when I was 7
Nice
Whilst enthusiasm is (normally) an admirable trait. I'm speaking as a person who has owned both these cars. You'll notice in my review I didn't dismiss either model..and presented a balanced personal opinion (whilst at the same time not trying to force this onto others). As I stated before, you should always buy the car that suits YOU. The Smart in the UK does not come with power steering as standard. The Brabus is a more expensive limited edition and was not the subject of this comparison.
Great review
Love the review. Liked how you used the toy car. For me can't bring myself to buy a car gotta be a truck. I've got a full size Dodge ram 4 door with 4x4 and what I call a grocery getter with is s Toyota Tacoma standard cab long bed 4x4. Thanks for sharing
I like the review, we have owned both living in the US. A basic IQ and Passion, drawback to the Smart we had was the gearbox, here it is auto unless the shifter is changed to manual? It had a connector that would turn on the check engine light that was easy to fix but annoying, 130,000 current US miles with no other issues and.. for those of us that do our own maintenance easy to change fluids at home in a matter of minutes without having to lift vehicle at all even if your a fat guy :). Our IQ had electrical issues by 80,000 miles, and the engine had already had a coil go bad. Both were fun to drive and very driveable on trip up to 200 miles or so, beyond that they both road rough. Personal choice by a fair margin is the Smart, BUT either would be a good choice.
@@bradsmith1177thanks for sharing your experience fairly , it does matter .
@@itsatoolthing6323 If you got the Ram with the 8-foot bed, you could likely put the Smart car in the bed and have spare car with you.
I just want to say a HUGE thank you for putting the time and effort into this video. You've picked up on a lot of areas that I missed during a test drive of the iQ and areas other reviewers gloss over. Nice to know that there's cubbies under the seats and under the boot and the turning circle demonstration made my jaw drop. Great work.
Me too, I always wanted a Smart since they first came out and I'm really glad that I managed to own one for a while.
Watching this in 2019 ...Mat is so young but always brilliant
I find it fine for long trips. It's very relaxing to drive with the auto gearbox. It is definitely a bit revvy at certain speeds though...so try before you buy.
This guy sounds like James May from Top Gear.
Kurzland oh yeah
You mean he sounds English? Yeah its an accent...
Kurzland .
Lance Forest no his darker deeper voice and the way his words are expressed makes him sounds like James
Kurzland o
That's one reason I like your reviews so much! (I've seen *many* of the 'action cam' ones, and now this one [so far]) The fact that you are so logical and fair-minded is what helps so much. Nice to find someone who bases their reviews on facts, and tells it like it is!
It's certainly an option. When I bought my IQ the Up! wasn't available with an auto gearbox...which was something I wanted at the time. I believe they do offer this option now. I like my IQ though, so will be hanging on to it.
Smart vs IQ
Sounds like a gameshow
Street Smart vs Book Smart. I would watch that!
Each team would need to complete challenges on the other teams "turf".
Thanks, glad I could be of help. Not being mechanically minded, I instead tried to concentrate on the things that weren't obvious from the brochures or covered in any of the reviews that I'd seen, the more practical things that matter to a owner rather than a test driver. Got to say that I'm really enjoying this car..only negatives, the engine is a bit revvy at times and the mpg is mid 40s at best (so far).
You just saved me from buying a smart Fortwo and convinced me to go with the Scion/Toyota IQ. This was an excellent review. I really noticed a dramatic difference in the cabin sound level between the two cars. IQ was much quieter. Prices here in the Midwest USA are close to the same on either car so the IQ is for me.
Get one whilst you can, the IQ has been discontinued and they aren't making it any more. The Smart has been completely redone this year too - you can see me taking a look around one in this video th-cam.com/video/sn2GZTVVKUc/w-d-xo.htmlm32s
Techmoan Thank you for that information and video clip. One feature I do like about the smart is the reinforced seating in case there is a shift in freight. I do carry some heavy materials in the back and would hate to have them force the seat forward in an accident. I did not notice that feature on the IQ. Prices on both are good here in Missouri, USA because they neither one sell well. I was just looking at a 2013 IQ with under 100 miles on it. It is at a dealer and they are asking $12,700
Techmoan Are they all tiptronic/ automatic or can you get a 5 speed?
buy the fortwo electric, and save on sparks, oil changes, and all the other things that go wrong in comustion engines plus the noise and enviroment
Cdogbillionaire Only automatic with choice of personal or computer shifting. I bought a little 2012 and am averaging around 40 mpg by letting the computer do the shifting.
Two words: Spot On. Bought the IQ automatic (coming from a Smart 451) thanks to this review!
Thanks for your advice .
The MX5 was a really well made, quality car, with a nice engine. The fuel economy was a bit hard to live with, given the current fuel price. I was disappointed about the amount of interior space....there was wasted space behind the seats that was impossible to use. The car was very long for the amount of useable space inside. A Mini could fit four people and some luggage in a space much shorter than the MX5 took up. It was also too low for me to get into and out of with my dodgy old back.
Techmoan which MX5?
I had 3 of those Smart cars (it's the 451 variant) and was great. The panels were also designed to be interchangeable (mix n match colours) and is largely a recyclable vehicle.
Thats the RD32II and it's mounting kit - you can find a review of this cam and the head mounting connection kit on my channel. The in-car sound comes from the RD32II too (which is why it's a bit out of sync with the footage of me from the Extreme cam that I attached upside down to the window and flipped the footage during editing).
This "review" reminds me so much of those of James May in Top Gear! And I say it as a compliment! Excellent video as usual!
I honestly wish these type of cars were more popular. They are like driving a go kart and excellent on gas.
+jalene150
they're nothing like driving a go-kart. They have a ridiculously high center of gravity compared to the wheelbase, they make no power, they're woefully impractical, they're fairly expensive for what they are. If you buy a modern diesel hatchback or a gas city car like a Fiesta or Polo you'll be better off on fuel, and it will be better in every single other way. These are just trendy toys for people to gloat about.
+Azureecosse I wish that we got the twin air 2cyl in my country, instead we are left with a shlubby Chrysler 4.
+Azureecosse I live in Paris and space is an issue, so we see lots of small cars.
Something which is totally normal here : when you park (parallel parking that is), you leave a very small gap between cars (around a couple centimeters), or even touching bumpers; which is appreciated by other people, because you optimize every bit of space (since you can cram on more cars in the same street). :D
I really comes down to your needs. I have a 2013 Smart and I love it. Super cheap, extremely practical even though the suspension is a bit rough, and I can make my own parking spaces. It's not too shabby on road trips either, although I wish the seats were a bit more comfortable; but you get what you pay for. I'm extremely pleased with mine. And it honestly hauls ass if it weren't for the single clutch transmission it has no trouble keeping up on the freeway
jalene150 me
Hy I'm planning on trading my 2008 smart fortwo for a 2010 IQ, for city commute, I see that you have a mini now, it was also an option. Having experience with all of them what would you advise, if you could? A similar video with the mini would be great. I like the iQ for the higher driving position and fuel economy, over the mini, and presence of servo, and emergency seat, over the smart... Thanks!
@Omari Kameron Why is she so fat?
I had my garage built between two existing detached houses, so the space was limited by this. The IQ3 (as well as all the other IQs) currently qualify for zero road tax, based on their emissions. The IQ has stability and traction control.
Better than the new Top Gear UK and other TH-camr car reviewers
That just means you haven't watched Regular Car Reviews yet. ;)
Oh, I do watch Mr. Regular :)
Mat
Patrick Star agreed
Mat from car buyer
Great review even all these years later. My wife has a 2008 Smart and we are looking at a 2012-2015 Scion iQ. This really puts day to day driving with these two into perspective.
So do I. I'll cut and paste my earlier answer
"The Smart is an official Minichamps model from a Smart showroom. The IQ was off eBay. They are both 1:43 scale models"
Funny, that question was on my list as well when I was looking at the IQ.The short answer is no, but it's less important on the IQ because of the way the gears are engaged. The Smart won't crawl along in 1 or R, without you having to press the accelerator. The IQ is a normal auto so the idling engine revs will move it slowly. Therefore on a hill start, it's already pulling itself a bit, so won't roll back quickly when you move your foot from the brake to the accelerator. You get enough time.
I’ve driven both and I prefer the engaging drive of the smart car. I prefer to shift myself, lift off the accelerator when shifting, then hit it again once changed. Just like a manual. It honestly feels like a go cart. In the way of noise and the roughness of the drive... but I truly enjoy that more than any car I’ve driven. The IQ feels way more like a normal car. I drove one around Santorini and to me it felt soulless.
I forgot to mention the IQ auto gearbox - which works perfectly and invisibly behind the scenes without drawing attention to itself and crawls in reverse and drive which comes in very useful when parking.
I like the original Minis too, I really would have liked the Mini Rocketman concept to come to fruition, but unfortunately they decided not to bring it out.
You have always been the best "Dashcam " guy on youtube. Now you are making the most Practical car reviews ! And I am looking for a iQ
You say the gearbox in the iQ is a conventional automatic, but it's actually a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Compared to the Smart's auto-shifting semi-auto, it IS!
@UCvuHFl5sT4VfFieMMTt9s3g you are an idiot. The smart is manual automated transmission. The toyota has a cvt transmission. Very different from an automatic
I never had an Audi. My cars so far have been a 1979 MG Midget, a 1989 Toyota MR2 T-Bar, 1996 MG-F, 1998 Ford KA3, 2002 Mercedes A-Class, 2007 Mini, 2009 Smart, 2011 Mazda MX5, and this 2012 IQ3. I've always had small cars, often 2 seaters, being a two person family, it makes little sense to carry around an additional two empty passenger seats for most of the time.
Why all the hate for the IQ. I just had a test drive in a 1ltr IQ2 today. I was amazed at the acceleration for such a small engine. I had to stop and lift the bonnet to make sure they had not given me a 1.3 to try. But, no, it only had three cylinders. It was a fantastic drive. I think others need to drive it before they dismiss it as a gimmick or pointless. A similar spec Yaris is more expensive. If you don't want a micro car then don't buy one. If you do, the IQ is the best.
I've seen this video a couple of years ago, but didnt have a iq back then, now i own one for a couple of months.
And i have had those back seat headrests all the time behind my seat.
And only now discover true this video, that there is an actual place inside for it.
So thanks!😂😁
he sounds awfully similar to a sick james may...
I think he has had sinus problems for a long time that can't be fixed.
I knew he sounded similar.
No I meant the Diesel IQ that is only for sale in markets other than the UK.
I agree this is the best compare review for these two cars. another example why owners make the best reviewers. they don't have an agenda. I always like the honest unbiased reviews of products so consumers can make an informed decision before purchasing. Toyota products typically get a lot of bad reviews because professional reviewers have an agenda. but still Toyota ranks among the best in sales. proof that their buyers don't pay attention to bad reviews. they know they're great cars.
It's a 1:43 Minichamps model...bought from a Smart Dealership (they have a catalogue of things like this). You can of course buy minchamps models in other places too, but I needed a specific colour that was only available from the Smart dealers.
I have the original Smart City Coupe from 2001, on 115k KM(71k miles), and honestly its amazing, reliable and is fun as hell, while it sure isn't fast or the best handling car, its nippy as hell and so fun!
The Smart is an official Minichamps model from a Smart showroom. The IQ was off eBay. They are both 1:43 scale models.
Wow, those roads are frighteningly narrow
PS - Really high quality vidoe editing and presentation.
Charsept .
Roads narrow ? That's what it's like in England.
No that's not been a problem or me. I have experienced this issue in other cars though, like my old MX5. The drivers seat height can be adjusted (in my version anyway), but the passengers is fixed.
I live here in Southern California and I've had my IQ for about almost 5 years and love it. I did notice that after I bought aftermarket rims that were wider than the stock ones the car did run a lot smoother and less bumpy. I would like to know where you got that IQ toy car
Do you still have the IQ? Have you drive it far?
Well done. I think I have watched most of your other videos, and have enjoyed them a great deal. It was great to see you tackle something different. Your attention to detail and sense of humor translate to car... evaluation? comparison? not review... very well. If you ever do another car video, I'll definitely watch! Thank you!
When I saw the miniature, my first thought was "oh, a crashtest between two small cars, let's see". My eyebrow raised when I saw this is a video from Techmoan, and I LOL'd when realised what this video is about 😂
Really helpful, thank you. My lovely little Smart car was killed too! Rear-ended in the floods. It had power steering and I loved the soft-touch automatic gears, which meant I could manually change up, to overcome the issues you mentioned with the slow automatic response, but it would still change down for me when approaching junctions, etc. Very handy. I'm considering an iQ as a replacement, and your review has been so helpful in making comparisons. Thank you 👍👍
Advantages of the smart car over the IQ:
It stands out on the road compared to the IQ.
Plastic panels can be hit or kicked hard and will not ding. Try that on the IQ. I’ve had someone open their door and hit my smart pretty hard, but it didn’t leave a mark. Afterwards a friend asked me about it, so I kicked my door as hard as I could. Again, no marks or dings. Pretty cool! Try that on your IQ!
Has a split tailgate, not the cheap and less useful hatchback. Groceries and other items won’t fall out like they do with a hatchback. I know because our van is a hatchback. And nothing falls out on an incline with the smart. Try that with the IQ. And stuff can be stacked up safer in the smart than in the IQ.
Can maneuver through spaces the IQ can only dream about. (The smart is 6 to 9 inches narrower and about 12” shorter in length than the IQ) I once had an IQ try to keep up with me, but I was able to get through an opening between two cars that the IQ could only dream about!
Takes up less room in a garage. Much more room for other things, like my library, Soloflex, Treadmill, Total Gym, cabinets all around, etc. etc.
Has a sunroof. Don’t know if that comes as an option for the IQ.
Manual transmissions are just more fun to drive!
Has a ledge that sticks out from the dashboard: great for pens, pencils, cellphones, etc. And it looks awesome!
More fun being able to say “I have a Mercedez” rather than “I have a Toyota”.
Can sit on the tailgate. Can stand on the tailgate. Can climb over something from the tailgate. Oops! IQ doesn’t have a tailgate.
Hatch does not go up as high as the hatchback of the IQ so much less likely to hit something.
Has a tridion safety cell so is much safer in a rollover crash or if something falls onto the smart as compared to the IQ.
Soft top/cabriolet version available.
Brabus version available. This adds all kinds of features.
MHD version available - a pretty clever idea!
Electric version available.
Diesel version available in some countries. Gets between 60-80 mpg!
Costs less than the IQ.
Can change body panels.
Sits up higher than the IQ.
It’s a two seater. Much better for one-on-one relationships. Never have tag-alongs!
With seat down and tailgate down, can lay down in the smart. Great for looking out the moon roof or for a drive-in theater, or just relaxing.
In an accident the engine is in the back. It won’t be pushed into you from the front and is designed to go under you if hit from the back. I like that!
Lots of smart clubs around.
By the way, I also have a 2009 smart, but mine has power steering. Also, I would never have bought a car that I had to 100% of the time remember to fold the side mirrors in just to get out of my garage. Forget one time and....oops!, just lost a mirror! (My wife did that once with her 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse!) Additionally, my car has never had a rattle, nor have I heard of that, so I think it’s just your particular car. Oh, it also appeared in your video that there is lot more window space in the smart, which could also be seen in the toy cars. And I would hate that annoying reflection in your car. Very annoying!
Yes the IQ has some advantages also, but you’ve already covered those - at least in your opinion.
By the way, I also like the Mini Cooper.
Updated 2/24/2020 My 2009 smart fortwo now has 102,884 miles on it and still has not had any problems! Oh, I'm 6'5" tall, 250 lbs with a 36" inseam (see my videos), and I've got plenty of room!
Updated 4/2022 At 128,000 miles I finally traded in my 2009 smart fortwo. It still had not been into the shop for anything (other than normal maintenance.) I now have a 2016 smart fortwo, third generation. It has much smoother transmission gear changes, is a six speed, has a crazy turning circle of less than 23 feet (radius less than 12 feet), a built-in smart phone holder, the plastic panels keep their color now - even if chipped, air vents that remind me of the Martian ships in the original classic sci-fi movie - War of The Worlds. It’s also 25% faster with its turbo. I miss my old smart car, but this newer version is fun in ways that cannot be matched by any other car that I know of. Fun, fun, fun!
And if you’re into large format photography, like me, you’ll notice that the new instrument display, when turned off, looks like a monochrome viewing filter, such as was sold by the late Fred Picker of Zone VI Studios. Very cool!
This is very well put, sir
Just wait until that junk breaks.
@@jackjenns1669 u big mad sir
2 cons I can think of right now: 1 reliability 2 they keep getting stolen and sold for parts, because they are so popular...
I could describe it as such, the smart is a more fun car, but the iq is practical and higher quality. Also the iq gets a manual (5 or 6 speed depending on the engine) and the interiors are very nice, especially if you can get the half leather seats.
The auto gearbox of the IQ works the same as any normal auto. Very smooth and hard to spot when its changed up or down. I have to say that the IQ 3 (the 1.33 engine) does do a lot of revving at slower speeds, it feels like it takes too long to change up for me. I think this is how it is supposed to be, but I would prefer it changed up sooner. The economy of the 1.33 engine isn't great in auto. I'm getting 40 mpg out of a tank at the moment....was hoping for closer to 50.
As an ex Smart owner I often wondered if the IQ was an improvement on it!
I have had both, the IQ is an improvement in almost aspect.
@@DrGarfink Thank you. It is sad they have stopped making it.
@@ADMIRALSCORNER I am in Hong Kong and I just imported a used one from Japan, 50K km on the meter and is in great condition. Parts are cheap too.
@@DrGarfink Have fun! I love small cars!
Yeah, they just make sense.
Wow! Incredible amount of work gone into this I am actually comparing the two for visiting patients in London (my Lexus Jeep is a bit cumbersome & hard to park in some areas/drive ways). My sensible head says the auto 1.33 iQ, my petrol head says an 84bhp 1 litre Smart with a remap, new exhaust & filter & maybe an uprated turbo & springs...
Great video. Hard off to you. The gf recently bought a Brabus edition Smart. What a great looking little car. I love taking it on the freeway. People get enticed to race me because I pass them easily. Great little car. Fun fun fun.
Are you serious ? Where do you live that you can pass people easily with a smart ? The thing merely has a top speed of 155 km/h and 102 hp, the shitty mercedes 4 cylinder with 136hp I got reaches a top speed about 208 km/h and I really do not consider it a fast car.
I drive all over the U.S. in a smart and pass everyone easily. Love all the misinformation in this so-called review which I find to be biased.
The American people have been sold a bill of goods and the size of the vehicles prove it. One day these small cars will be all that you see.
I own one myself (1,0 engine) and I wouldn’t change it for anything , I’ve driven it to the city and even mountains and it didn’t let me down. I bought it second hand and I easily can fit 3 more people in it because I’m tiny and I can pull my seat really frond. Great first car , would highly suggest it ☺️🙌🏻
Cute:)
I had a Smart Car and traded it in for my Scion IQ Love it
BABY A I’ve had my scion for 5 years 🙂
Interested in getting one hows the gas mileage
How much do yall waste for a whole week
It's very good, its a CVT gearbox so I can't feel any change up or down. It does still rev a bit up a hill at low speed, but that's pretty standard for a smaller engine.
So which foot do I put the blue one on?
The new 2015 smart has a standard manual transmission version as well as a standard automatic version. It also has a four foot tighter turning radius than the IQ. And the battery now has easier access.
FrankATracy ...and they don't make the IQ any more. - So this video is only relevant when comparing the two specific vehicles shown.
Techmoan That's too bad that they are ending the IQ. I have a couple books about the fortwo and one of them says that the company lost money for most of its early production (partly because of the lack of sells of the roadster and forfour). That could happen again with the re-introduction of the forfour. Though I see things a little differently, I did enjoy your review.
I changed from a Smart to an IQ. It's all good except for fuel efficiency and fun. my Smart was very fast, as I had it chipped. My IQ is sluggish and not as zippy. Also, the fuel gauge goes up and down at will. Not very accurate! I love small cars, and I love my IQ. I can park it anywhere, do U turns etc. Road tax exempt. I can transport 2 adults and 2 hobbits. It feels like a big car, and handles well. I can't fit a roof box, though, which sucks.
What chip did you put in the fortwo to make it fast? I didn't think chipping them actually did anything.
Can't remember. I got it done at Smarts R Us in Nottingham. It does make a visible difference. Smarts have been restricted at the factory. Also put on a new air filter and exhaust. Great fun!
If I ever feel the need for speed for my little smart I'll probably just invest in a stage 3 turbo and kick it to 160hp. Or get a sports car for weekend fun driving.
I own an IQ with CVT transmission and I love it, I have also recently had after marketCruise control fitted to it which makes it even better. Im a big bloke (22 Stone and 6foot tall) and have had two fully grown passengers, the guy in the back said it was comfortable enough for shortish journeys but he thought that he might become travel sick due to the lack of visibility for a longer trip.
I own a IQ. Best car ever. As a visiting nurse, I beat the shit out of it. Never a problem, great on gas. Anybody tells you different is full of shit.
Jesus Amaro Taco say what ?
Why would you want to drive around in a lunch box? Because that's what the iQ is
+Billy Freeman Maybe you don't need to bring the whole buffet with you all the time.
Subscribed straight away because your review was just so in depth and realistic. Everything you said was straight to the point, very structured .
Looking forward to watching to more of your uploads.
wish they sold the IQ sport in Australia
10:17 RE: The wingmirror car width issue. This is because different world regions have different requirements for mirror size. EU increased the mirror size quite a while ago and that's why even small cars in the EU (like the IQ) have massive mirrors which lot out of proportion. You may find images online of IQs in other regions with smaller mirrors.
Fair and honest review and comments. Great respect Techmoan. I did have a bunch of comments tumbling around in my head, but really who cares? I see Smart cars here in the US and to be honest they look ridiculous and quite deadly among the larger vehicles typically found here. Our roads are covered is large semi-trailer trucks, full size pickups right down to smaller cars and the smaller cars are still typically 2x the size of a Smart Car. Also our typical highway speed is 60-75 MPH. I personally do not think a crash in a Smart Car is survivable at those speeds up against the mass they would be impacting. I haven't seen any data on this, but it has to exist somewhere. I have been to the UK and the driving conditions there (I mainly drove between Maidenhead and London and there about) is much different. These cars make a lot more sense there.
At 6' 5" I have no hope of fitting into one of these. This is not unique to the Smart Car. I have issues fitting into most vehicles especially when more than 2 passengers are a consideration. I did test drive a Mini Cooper and I must say I really like them. The first time I saw one was when I was in the UK before they came here and I fell in love with it immediately. I was very serious about buying one back in 2002 or so, but with a family on the way I bought something more practical.
Anyway thank you again for the look at these two interesting vehicles. As you say everyone's needs are different.
You would be surprised about the safety of these things. A friend of mine got into a severe accident with his smart car and it protected him incredibly well. He was actually involved in a multi car pile up and ended up in the middle. He was able to walk away with only minor injuries. They really do a good job on these things!
Kacey H I think for town commuters these are great, but if you need to travel at speeds higher than 40MPH I'd recommend getting a real car.
+William Hayden you can drive on the highway with them as long as you don't drive like a idiot you will be fine
Michael Nova tell that to the other idiots on the road driving vehicles 2x the mass (or more) of your vehicle.
Michael Nova and no the answer isn't, everyone needs to driver smaller cars or ride the train. There is no single solution that works for everyone.
People rarely change them, although it is possible, the costs are prohibitive and a full set of panels is hard to source in the UK. Even if the fact that you can't dint one is accidental, it's still a good feature.
Still love my Smart Car. Thanks for this video. Very cool....
Me too! Been driving a 2012 Smart Fortwo coupe for two years. There are times when I sometimes wish I had a different car (the shocks are terrible so when I hit a pothole the car absorbs everything), but the vast majority of the time I love my smart. People always are curious about it. And it's baffling to me when I hear people say it "drives terribly". People who say they had that experience simply don't know how to drive it. I figured out how to drive it in manual the RIGHT way.
The Cygnets are to IQs what the Leica compact cameras are to their equivalent Panasonic models.
You should have gotten a Reliant Robin!!
Why?
It was a joke. The Toyota IQ and the smart car are both tiny. And so is the Reliant. Also the Reliant is crap, and please don't get it.
you should try the renault twizy
Its a popular joke from Top Gear
i have owned three Smart Fortwos (all the earlier turbo charged versions)and tried the IQ just after it was released but just didn't feel special to me. Few things i thought i would make people aware of, at least on the older 600 and 700cc turbo cars- not all models had the auto mode, only Passion or better specs. It has an automated manual gearbox, rather than a more standard auto gearbox which is why a lot of reviewers disliked it, but you get used to it quite quickly. The full glass roof on the smart helps to make it feel very spacious. I am 6'5" tall and fit very comfortably inside, on one occasion i even managed to buy a washing machine and take it home with me. The Smart has a split-fold tailgate, the bottom metal part is strong enough to sit on, and you only have to open the upper glass part to stick the shopping in the boot. Although there is no power steering, it is not heavy as the weight of the engine is at the rear.
I have a smart fortwo and am very interested in getting a toyota IQ. I am very interested in knowing if the IQ handles better than the smart car. How do you find it around corners, and is it zippier than the smart? It must be so wonderful to have a car that doesn't hesitate between gears!
+Claire Carmichael I no longer have it - but compared to the model of Smart I owned it was much better to drive. However IQs are no longer being made and the Smart has a new design, so things may be different with the new Smart models.
Thanks so much!
Claire Carmichael
Jack DeMory samochud 45 km
Both cars are approximately the same Insurance Group, but your insurance will be based on a lot more factors than that.
best comparison so far
There are a lot of great cars on the market, but this video was just comparing two of the smallest ones readily available in the UK. I needed a small car due to my restrictive garage dimensions. Neither of these cars have good fuel economy, but they will fit in my garage.
I'll stay with the Smart 451 over the Toyota IQ, and the semi-auto gearbox of smart is a little slow at changing in auto but can ba used in manual mode
Jay you can replace the clutch actuator for a faster modded one really easily it makes a big difference
This is awesome!! I also own a Smart 450 (after using a 451) and the IQ was a car I will consider next as well. This helps make up my mind! You explained certain aspects that no one else has bothered doing- in two words- Thank You!!
I had both cars and the iq is miles beter than the smart
Valter Andrade
Concordo contigo!
Valter Andrade why?
me too but the consumption in the Toyota is higher ~I still prefer the Toyota though
I will cosign. I have owned both. I had a 2008 Smart and currently drive a 2012 Scion IQ. It's marketed under Scion in the United States. It's a lot peppier and maintenance is so much cheaper. I had to take the Smart to Mercedes. The IQ I can take to Toyota.
@Steve smart is better the Iq is a blatant ripoff yeah it might drive a bit more refined I have an 08 smart I like it's rear wheel drive...iq is just like a really small Nissan versa
my smart overheated 2 months ago, dealer either replaced the thermostat with another bad thermostat or gave me a $900 car wash. don't trust it over 20 miles. just put $500 down for a 2014 Scion iQ with 16K miles. i remembered your review from 3 years ago. Scions being toyotas are super reliable, so i am replacing my smart with an iQ, thanks bro!
I thought this was James May talking!
During parking and slow speed manoeuvres power steering is very handy. If I was buying another Smart and had the option of power steering I'd definitely choose it.
I can never picture myself in that IQ. My Smart is perfect for me
+daisyhinojosa23 but does it have the bad transmission, noise issues, and poor suspension that he has mentioned?
I've got a 2015 smart and have none of the rattle issues. The suspension seems better and the only noise issue I've noticed is wind noise at higher speeds. I love my smart.
Three years interest free credit and the fact that the Toyota IQ updated it's interior in 2011. Have a look on Autotrader and see how many 2011 IQ3's with an Auto Gearbox are for sale, I checked for weeks and didn't see a single one...this is a very difficult car to get hold of. Toyota restrict the numbers imported to keep used prices high, it works, so well in fact that getting a new one with interest free credit was cheaper than the book price for a second hand one and an interest paying loan.
I'd also prefer the IQ. Itls smarter than smart. 2 seats are not enough
Shut up
@@maxtheowl381 it's true. The IQ is a way better car. Way more pick up, way higher top speed, way better on.highways
@@maxtheowl381 also better transmission
Shush parrot the smart was cool until they ruin his facade
And the IQ is overrated almost nobody know it exist
I was concerned about this, but I haven't noticed any difference. I liked the tall driving position in the Smart and I think the IQ must be a little lower, but it doesn't feel it. The seat can be raised up in the IQ so maybe this has some effect.
0:05 wow, didnt realise the smart car was THAT small
I had an A Class in 2002. It was a very good car. Over the years they became too expensive. I liked the sandwich floor concept...but unfortunately they've dropped this innovation for the new 2013 A Class. The new model is just another normal saloon car and It's lost all it's individuality. The auto press loves the redesign, so it's no wonder that most cars look the same when anything different gets criticised.
Looks like the IQ has been dropped now from Toyota's UK range.
Mark Webb yes that's correct. I'm getting a different car to replace it with in a few weeks, because mine is now at the end of a 3 yr deal.
I just bought a new Toyota Aygo about a month ago which I can recommend. Plenty of high tech giznos and gadgets on board.
It has your right and this is purely down to import tax costs which is not financially viable for Toyota, it's a shame the iq is a cracking car n the 1,33 was a little pocket rocket I miss mine
Does the front passenger seat fold all the way down like the smart fortwo?
I'm glad you made this. I have a smart and love it but you are right they need a better suspension. But since it's a mercedes you have to already know that they have lousy suspension. Their cars are made like tanks and are just supposed to last. Japanese cars are the best on the market as we all know. They last forever and have the best suspension and stick shifts. Yet I still love my smart.
There is a lot I liked about the Smart and I would have preferred a diesel IQ, but it's not available in the UK. When it comes time to change the IQ and I've paid off the finance, the new Renault based Smart will be out and I really hope that they have made enough improvements to temp me back.
My god, for the first two minutes of this video, I thought you were James May
You can get the Scion IQ in the US, and perhaps also find the Smart in certain cities.
I think the smart looks cool and has terrible engine and transmission. The IQ seems to be a great little car and looks terrible.
+Brad Rex same
they should work together and create the ultimate small car :D
I'm not seeing excellent economy in mine yet. First tank approx 43 mpg, second refill more like 40. I need to do some longer runs in it and let it bed in a bit, but mpg really isn't blowing me away yet. If I had bought the 999cc IQ2 manual it would have been better, but I wanted auto and the 0-60 in the 999cc with an auto gearbox was very sluggish on paper, probably slower than the Smart.
he should of got a classic mini, the best car in the world at least to me it is plus it is very small and classic
With none of the safety, reliability and refinement of modern cars. Don't get me wrong, I like old vehicles. I currently don't own anything newer than 85. But the suggestion of getting a classic is completely irrelevant, when a guy trades in a 2009 to get a 2012. He's not looking for nostalgia; he's looking for a turnkey runabout that he needs do nothing to except oil changes and feeding it fuel.
I think it's probably best if you and a friend go to a showroom and see if you can drive with him sat behind you. I can't imagine that you would buy any car without having a look at it first, so take someone along with you when you go.
love the iq 😍😍😍
Good comparison. I like that you simply highlighted the highs and lows rather than declaring one better than the other. Honestly I think they're an even match. Both cars are tailored for different city drivers and offer a special uniqueness.
makes my mini cooper seem huge
Mega Cooper
Which car? The IQ is the only car on the market with a rear window airbag. It's got a 5 star NCAP rating with 91% adult occupant score. The Smart Fortwo gets a 4 star NCAP rating overall. This information can be accessed by doing a google search with the word NCAP and the model details.