2012 Scion iQ priced from $15,995*

[omoderncultureo]

Our man Damon Lavrinc is at the media introduction of the 2012 Scion iQ, and he reports that the diminutive hatchback will be priced from $15,995 (including destination charges) when it hits U.S. showrooms. Scion now says the iQ's U.S. launch, which has been postponed on numerous occasions due to various issues including the March 11 quake in Japan, is set for this fall. Officials say the microcar will actually be launched in four phases, with the West Coast getting the iQ in October, followed by southern states in January, then the East Coast and, finally, the Midwest.

In typical Scion fashion, word is that base models are well equipped and there are few options. The base stereo includes Pandora integration, and an uplevel model will be available with navigation. As with all Scions, loads of accessories (i.e. springs, body kits and wheels) will be available for the iQ.

For comparison, the iQ's $15,995 price tag means that it's slightly more expensive than both the $15,500 Fiat 500 and the $14,730 Mazda2, both of which off significantly greater utility. There's still no word on EPA mileage estimates for the iQ.

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[AutoUnion32]

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We won't see it until next year (here in the Northeast)

[Burnin8r]

how much for the aston cygnet upgrade ?

[Lwize]

how much for the aston cygnet upgrade ?

Around $40K more than the IQ, but exclusivity and overkill have a price.

[chronoguy]

I would SERIOUSLY buy this car if I can get a Cygnet body-kit and interior aftermarket upgrade. There is something about that Cygnet interior that gets to me.


Call me shallow, I even like this GTR body kit



This kit cost $6 grand. Kinda pricey.


Somebody should create a bespoke aftermarket tailoring company to build lavish interior and body kits. They could rack some serious coin for those looking to spice up their commuters.

[Benjamin.]

I would SERIOUSLY buy this car if I can get a Cygnet body-kit and interior aftermarket upgrade. There is something about that Cygnet interior that gets to me.

But but but but but.....REAR DRUMS???? [/chronoguy's pointless rant about the Honda Fit way back when]

[BRealistic]

Let's all remember this car comes standard with a/c, automatic transmission, power windows, a decent stereo... and IIRC - this car is very quiet and comfortable riding inside.
If it also has cruise control for $16k (with destination), that's actually a decent price for all the stuff (and the Scion/Toyota badge).

This isn't a Smart.
This is a car that is actually comfortable in a way that most small cars are not... it's like a Smart car made by somebody like Mercedes.
(and why Aston chose it for the eco rebadge)
If urban dwellers test drive this car, it will sell well.
I predict.

[Bav17]

Let's all remember this car comes standard with a/c, automatic transmission, power windows, a decent stereo... and IIRC - this car is very quiet and comfortable riding inside.
If it also has cruise control for $16k (with destination), that's actually a decent price for all the stuff (and the Scion/Toyota badge).

This isn't a Smart.
This is a car that is actually comfortable in a way that most small cars are not... it's like a Smart car made by somebody like Mercedes.
(and why Aston chose it for the eco rebadge)
If urban dwellers test drive this car, it will sell well.
I predict.

I got a whole barrel of Meh after sitting in the thing for a while at the NY auto show. Besides the fact that its got the characterstic Toyota ugly stick thing going on, it felt incredibly cramped and claustrophobic to me inside. I don't think a clear roof like my smart would remedy that fact.
It was impressed by its ability to fit a seat in the back, but I also feel like that overall it compromises too much to the other passengers in the front for it.
Even with the better drivetrain, I would still choose the smart only because it doesn't feel like a dungeon.
Or for that absurd amount of money, I would get the 500.

[eunos94]

Ok so I'm curious. What are the actual numbers on the iQ in the ROW?

MPG
0-60
etc?

I was expecting a $11,995 price point and hoping for $9995. At $10,000 I'd have tried to fit my fat butt in one just for the laughs but at $16,000.... I'd rather pick up a fairly lightly used LS430 and deal with 20mpg. Apples to Lahmas but whatever.

edited to include google info

Just found this thread on a UK site... corrected mpg runs from 19.2mpg to 50.8mpg.

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/foru...owtopic=106738

[Canadian Hybrid]

Let's all remember this car comes standard with a/c, automatic transmission, power windows, a decent stereo... and IIRC - this car is very quiet and comfortable riding inside.
If it also has cruise control for $16k (with destination), that's actually a decent price for all the stuff (and the Scion/Toyota badge).

This isn't a Smart.
This is a car that is actually comfortable in a way that most small cars are not... it's like a Smart car made by somebody like Mercedes.
(and why Aston chose it for the eco rebadge)
If urban dwellers test drive this car, it will sell well.
I predict.

Can't tell if serious....

Smart IS made by Mercedes.....

[esrballa]

Thats too bad, I kind of like this car. The 12-13k price range would have been perfect.

[Si Trav]

does anyone make decent looking cars anymore?!

[mobile363]

what is my incentive to buy this over a bigger car? I dont think small cars are necessary. Especially not for me. But even if you need a small car in the city, why is the IQ taking market share? Give us small electric appliances. Ride a motorbike. Or take public transit. Im sorry but the only people who will buy this stupid car are people who want an image on wheels.

[MRVW00]

FAIL.

[rimtrim]

Seems like a tough sell at that price. A 3-door '12 Yaris will probably start lower (though with less equipment). It should do better than the Smart, but that's not saying much...

-Andrew L

[GTRaavv]

I know it is well-equipped and all, but that is a lot pricier than I would have thought.

[Cutandpaste]

I know it is well-equipped and all, but that is a lot pricier than I would have thought.

Yup and with Scion you can't haggle. I think its priced itself out of interest. I'll be honest, I think all these expensive micro cars getting barely 35 MPG are just not great cars. If they got 50/60/70 MPG I could understand

[XM_Rocks]

Yup and with Scion you can't haggle. I think its priced itself out of interest. I'll be honest, I think all these expensive micro cars getting barely 35 MPG are just not great cars. If they got 50/60/70 MPG I could understand

I don't get these cars either.

Barely enough room for 2 and a weeks worth of groceries.

Mileage is mid-pack to other larger small cars.

[GTRaavv]

Yup and with Scion you can't haggle. I think its priced itself out of interest. I'll be honest, I think all these expensive micro cars getting barely 35 MPG are just not great cars. If they got 50/60/70 MPG I could understand

Yeah I don't understand it either. Hopefully GM prices the Chevy Spark much better.

[JohnAndrew]

Its very pricey for what it offers.

[Spinnaker]

For comparison, the iQ's $15,995 price tag means that it's slightly more expensive than both the $15,500 Fiat 500 and the $14,730 Mazda2, both of which off significantly greater utility. There's still no word on EPA mileage estimates for the iQ.

No way i'd buy this over a 2 unless there was significant mpg difference.

[VarianceVQ]

Too much money. Even a mid-level smart fortwo isn't that pricey and that's a huge flop.

[Volvo_D]

Fiat 500 over this phone-booth looking piece, especially for the price.

[Chapel]

Fiat 500 over this phone-booth looking piece, especially for the price.

bingo.

[Dr. Woo]

They're insane if they think people will take this over the 500 or Mazda2, Scion (Toyota) badge or not.

[6cylVWguy]

What's with the prices on these subcompact cars? No wonder they don't sell all that well since they're about the same as a reasonably equipped compact car in many cases--and the fuel mileage differences are negligible. I was reading MTs review of the Hyundai Accent for the price of $17k. For an Accent? I just built the cheapest Accent Hyundai offers (the GLS sedan) and as soon as you go with the automatic and the premium package, you're at almost $17.3. For that? Why even sell a subcompact if it isn't either A) going to offer much better mileage B) offer a real cost savings. An elentra comparably equipped is only $1500 more!

I suspect the iQ will do as poorly as the Smart cars.

[feels_road]

Fiat 500 over this phone-booth looking piece, especially for the price.

I am currently driving a (rented) Fiat 500 and tend to agree. The iQ's mileage would have to be truly stellar to make a difference - but who is driving these so many miles/year that it really matters?

The 500 I am driving also has automatic everything, red brake calipers behind aluminum rims, satellite radio, and a sunroof. and a nice interior. I am not familiar with the base level pricing and value on these small cute cars - but don't most of them come with decent base equipment? Not sure the iQ would really stand out, there.

Once US Americans step outside the overwhelmingly present price/volume attitude, my guess is that $1,000 here or there anyway is less important than practicality, a nice interior, and the (somewhat ill-defined) cuteness factor.

Although I have to say, from the looks and questions I am getting, my anecdotal experience is the 500 seems to attract most attention outside a disappointing gap in the 20-40 year old range...

[Jordan 191]

I thought for sure it would be $12,000.

[Dave Zero]

So it is more expensive than the larger, more powerful Yaris.

Don't get it.

Not stylish enough or enough content to be luxury compact and priced out of the basement price car range.

[Fritz27]

Holy crap that's expensive. They'll sell like 14 of them.

[Sledge]

I'll wait for the iQ EV version.

[Burnin8r]

I'll wait for the iQ EV version.

over the 500 EV ? really ?

[C4 A6]

Holy crap that's expensive. They'll sell like 14 of them.

Barrett Jackson.

[bmann]

For comparison, the iQ's $15,995 price tag means that it's slightly more expensive than both the $15,500 Fiat 500 and the $14,730 Mazda2, both of which off significantly greater utility. There's still no word on EPA mileage estimates for the iQ.


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Once again, comparing one car with destination charge to other cars without destination charge. Misleading reporting. In fact, the iQ would cost slightly less than the 500.

iQ = 15,995 with dest charge
Fiat 500 = 16,000 with dest charge
Mazda 2 = 14975 with dest charge

Additionally, if the iQ comes with a CVT automatic transmission standard as Autoblog reports, a comparable Fiat 500 would start at $17,000 and a Mazda 2 at $15,775.

Not that this makes TCL points any less valid, just that inaccurate reporting bugs me.

[Dawg Dee-Lux]

The All Seeing iQ