Toyota iQ vs Fiat 500

The Toyota’s next opponent poses an even bigger test. Not only is the Fiat 500 longer and more practical than its rival, but it recently underlined its place at the front of the city car class with a group test victory against the new Ford Ka (Issue 1,046).

As with the iQ, the Italian baby targets young, image-conscious buyers. Yet the two models couldn’t appear more different. The stubby Toyota stands out thanks to its angular looks rather than its cheeky styling. It’s wider than the Fiat, but an amazing 561mm shorter, and its skinny tyres and upright stance provide odd proportions.

Designers have done their best to provide the Toyota with a distinctive look, although it can’t touch the Fiat for kerb appeal. The cute 500 is full of retro details, and buyers can take their pick from an enormous range of accessories to personalise their car.

Inside, the asymmetrical seating layout of the iQ is also at odds with the 500, although three adults will find the Toyota more comfortable, as legroom behind the front passenger is more generous. However, if you plan to carry four people, the Fiat is the only option, as there simply isn’t any space behind the driver in the iQ.

This is just as well, because with all four seats in place the Toyota’s boot is only big enough to swallow a laptop computer. So you might as well leave the driver’s side rear seat folded and use the extra space for storage. In contrast, the Fiat provides a decent boot that conceals your luggage from prying eyes – so it has the practical edge.

The 500’s cabin is also the more enjoyable place in which to spend time. It has real panache, with its retro-inspired instruments, stylish dashboard, chrome-look door handles and oversized gearknob.

Step into the iQ after driving the 500, and you can’t help but feel short-changed. The instruments are a mishmash of dials and digital read-outs, while the centre console could have come straight from the set of a bad science-fiction movie.
Worst of all, for a model priced at £10,275, the brown cabin plastics are terrible. And our car even raised questions about Toyota’s reputation for faultless build quality, as some of the trim on the dashboard had come loose. On paper, the iQ’s unusual styling and clever packaging should hog the headlines.

But what impresses more are the things you can’t see – because Toyota has come up with a city model that’s incredibly good to drive.

For such a short, small-engined machine it’s very stable and refined, even at motorway speeds, with handling that’s assured and inspires confidence.

In fact, there’s little to choose between the two cars on the road – until you look at how efficient they are. The iQ’s lightweight construction translates into official fuel economy of 65.7mpg and 99g/km emissions. These are impressive claims – and in our test, the hard-worked Toyota couldn’t match them. It returned only 34.6mpg, while the 1.2-litre Fiat delivered 36.6mpg.

The Italian unit is more gutsy, and will be replaced imminently by a greener 900cc two-cylinder. This promises 60mpg-plus and sub-100g/km emissions.

Even without this motor, the Fiat 500 holds all the aces. With its smooth and willing 1.2-litre unit, grown-up dynamics and cheeky looks, it appeals on every level. And unless you plan to carry a maximum of three adults, its four-seater cabin and separate boot is a far more practical arrangement. In flagship iQ2 spec, the new Toyota is more expensive than the mid-range Fiat 500 Lounge. But even the entry-level iQ looks costly, weighing in at £9,295.

You can pick up a 500 for as little as £8,100: that will get you the keys to an entry-level 1.2 Popular. Spend £9,500, and you can match the fuel economy of the Toyota with Fiat’s 67.3mpg, 1.3-litre Multijet oil-burner. This model also provides CO2 emissions of 110g/km.

For a minority of buyers, the iQ’s city-friendly proportions and distinctive looks will hold enormous appeal. But for everyone else, the Fiat 500 is still the ultimate city car.

In detail:Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge
* Price: £9,500
* Engine: 1.2-litre 4cyl, 68bhp
* 0-60mph: 13.3 seconds
* Economy: 36.6mpg
* Turning circle: 9.2 metres
* Annual road tax: £35

What will it cost you?
With prices from below £8,000, the Fiat makes the Toyota look expensive. Our mid-range Lounge model undercuts the flagship iQ by some margin, and will be worth more when you come to sell it.

The 500 has an estimated residual value of 47 per cent – that’s over 10 per cent up on its more expensive rival. Road tax costs £35 a year (the iQ is free), but the pricey £712 servicing plan is the biggest financial drawback to life
with a Fiat 500.

Extra details:Fiat dials
Toyota is marketing the iQ as a stylish city car – and the Fiat shows how far wide of the mark it is. The 500’s retro instrument dials are not only great to look at, but also easy to read. The Toyota’s look bland in comparison.

Results:Toyota iQ vs Fiat 500
1ST:Fiat 500
If you want an affordable city car that cuts a dash on the road, the Fiat 500 has it sewn up. With its cute looks and charming interior design, it’s leagues ahead of the competition.

2nd:Toyota iQ
Style is subjective, but the iQ’s stubby shape, wide stance and skinny wheels look odd. While it’s great to drive, the packaging doesn’t justify the price, especially given the tight rear space.

Details

Model tested: Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge
WHY: With its retro looks and quirky cabin, the 500 is a real automotive fashion statement.