Last week, we were invited by the folks at Scion to Manhattan Beach for a low key test drive of the 2012 Scion iQ. We agreed because we had heard a few things about the new compact car from the Japanese automaker and really wanted to see what it was all about. I will tell you right away that most people have their reservations about Scions and I’m sure some had their thoughts on the iQ as well.
The iQ is beyond any other Scion we’ve driven. Sure, it’s small and limited in space but the designers positioned pieces in such a manner that you don’t feel limited when sitting inside. The car drives really well and to save space on the front end, Scion opted for an electric-powered steering wheel that tightens up the faster you go. This was one of the most appealing features of the vehicle to me as it freed up a lot of leg room, something talls guys like me will appreciate. Overall, the car’s not packing a lot of power but it doesn’t need to. This will appeal to the urban driver as it’s a sub-$16,000 car and it can fit into tight spots and deliver a tight turning radius as well. The car lives up to its tagline — “small in size, but big in innovation”.
