Toyota iQ vs Smart ForTwo

wo cars, one parking space and room for six inside. Take one look at the iQ, and it’s obvious Toyota has Smart customers firmly in its sights.Like the ForTwo, the iQ is short, wide and tall, and is designed to have a small footprint on the road.

When they clapped eyes on the Toyota’s tiny overhangs and quirky shape, plenty of passers by remarked that it “looks just like a Smart”.

But while there are similarities visually, under the skin the layout is very different. For starters, despite its tiny nose, the Toyota has its engine positioned ahead of the passenger compartment, driving the front wheels. The Smart has the engine at the rear powering the back axle.

Engineers borrowed the 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit from the Aygo, and tilted it to an angle of 21 degrees to squeeze it in. That’s not the only example of clever packaging in the iQ – the fuel tank is only 120mm high and sits flat under the cabin floor, allowing more room for the rear suspension and helping to make space for back seats.

This ability to carry more than two occupants really sets the Toyota apart. The Japanese manufacturer claims its new city car is designed to transport three adults and a child, although in reality you’ll struggle to fit anyone behind the driver. While the front passenger seat slides further forward than the driver’s to allow enough legroom for an adult to sit behind, on the right-hand side in the back there’s barely any legroom at all.

What’s more, if the rear seats are in place, boot space is non-existent. Use the back chairs to carry luggage, and it will be on show for all to see. Now you see why Smart didn’t bother with any rear seats at all... Instead, the ForTwo’s 220-litre boot has a luggage cover and a handy opening rear screen.

Up front, both cars offer loads of space. There’s no adjustment on the steering wheel in the entry-level ForTwo Pure, though, so it’s much easier to get comfortable in the Toyota, with its steering rake movement.

But overall, the iQ’s interior is a disappointment. The quality of the plastics is poor, and the Smart has a more premium feel and attractive look, with its carpeted dashboard and modern switchgear.

Out on the road, the Toyota makes up plenty of ground – not least because of its conventional gearbox. The five-speed manual transmission has an easy shift action, resulting in smooth progress around town. The same can’t be said for the Smart. The two-pedal set-up has a frustratingly slow and jerky gearchange.On top of that, the steering is sluggish and heavy – the ForTwo’s flaws are becoming even more irritating with age.

In contrast, the iQ delivers sharp and well weighted steering. Crucially for a city car, the Japanese model also has an amazingly tight 7.8-metre turning circle – that’s 90cm smaller than the Smart.

But the iQ really comes into its own away from the confines of town centres. Despite its tiny dimensions, it corners safely, with minimal body roll and very consistent grip. The Smart’s hard suspension means it bounces through bends and is susceptible to side winds on the motorway. When you’re driving the iQ, it’s easy to forget how small it is – tall gearing ensures the tiny 996cc engine isn’t straining too hard, and while the three-cylinder layout means it has a familiar gruff note under acceleration, it’s far more refined than the Smart.

Despite weighing 130kg more than the ForTwo, at 880kg, the Toyota is quicker, too. The 0-60mph sprint took 13.8 seconds in the iQ, which is nine-tenths up on the Smart’s time.

And this extra pace doesn’t come at the expense of efficiency. The iQ returns near-identical claimed fuel economy to the ForTwo, and emits 4g/km less CO2, at 99g/km. Don’t expect miracles from Smart’s micro hybrid drive set-up – it comprises a stop-start system and brake regeneration, not an electric motor.

At £10,275, the new Toyota makes the £7,290 ForTwo Pure look a bargain. But remember, for the extra outlay, the iQ delivers a much better driving experience and roomier cabin.

In detail:Smart ForTwo
* Engine: 1.0-litre 3cyl, 71bhp
* 0-60mph: 14.7 seconds
* Economy: 42.1mpg
* Turning circle: 8.7 metres
* Annual road tax: £35

What will it cost you?
Not only is the Smart a small car, it has a price tag to match. At £7,290 it undercuts all the models here. Equipment is basic on low-spec cars such as our Pure, though – you have to put up with manual door mirrors and windows.

Strong residuals ensure the ForTwo should be worth nearly as much as the iQ after three years and 30,000 miles, even though it costs a lot less in the first place. Economy is good, but 103g/km CO2 emissions mean £35-a-year road tax.

Extra details:Smart gearbox
Even though the ForTwo is in its second generation, its two-pedal manual box remains frustrating. It’s more sluggish than ever, and smooth upshifts require a well timed throttle lift. The way the car creeps from a standstill is also agricultural.

Results: Toyota iQ vs Smart ForTwo
1st: Toyota iQ
Imagine a Smart ForTwo with room for an extra person, strong refinement and a decent manual box... That sums up the iQ. It’s pricier and larger than its rival, but has much broader talents.

2nd: Smart ForTwo
If size is everything, the Smart is the ultimate choice – but it demands compromises. Motorway refinement is non-existent, you get only two seats and the semi-automatic gearbox is atrocious.

Details

Model tested: Smart ForTwo Pure
WHY: Smallest city car is even better for 2009, with its clever micro hybrid drive powertrain.