The Scion iQ->ke3422 continues to be a part of our lives, even if it still hasn't changed much since we first saw it.

But give the microcar some credit; it knows its identity and doesn't shy away from it. It doesn't promote itself as a road-wrecking beast nor has it ever puffed its chest and proclaimed itself to be a pocket rocket.

The Scion->ke79 iQ is a microcar that's ideally used as a fuel efficient ride in the city. Sometimes, you can even take it out on highways if you're driving by yourself. But anything more strenuous than that and you're already stretching the iQ's capabilities.

All that being said and you can't deny that there's still that underlying appeal about this compact->ke140 microcar, something that could be partly attributed to its looks (even if its overdue for a nip and tuck), and its unabashed identity because in the end, what you see is what you get with the iQ.

Click past the jump to know more about 2014 Scion iQ

2014 Scion iQ

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Scion iQ
  • Engine/Motor: FWD
  • Horsepower: 94 @ 6000
  • Torque: 89 @ 4400
  • Transmission: CVTi
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Another new year, another Scion iQ that looks...the same. At this point, any statement by anybody who says he bought an iQ because of its looks should be taken with a grain of salt. The microcar also deviate from the design approach of its competitors, offering a funkier-looking design that was cute when it first came out but has since become a pointless novelty.

Granted, the doors are bigger than what you'd expect for a microcar, making for easy access to the interior, and those windows are huge, too, and although we don't necessarily think that's a good thing, it's not too bad either given how almost everything about the car is small and miniscule.

2014 Scion iQ - Exterior Dimension

Length (in)

120.1

Height (in)

59.1

Width (in)

66.1

Turning Circle - Curb to Curb (ft)

26.4

Wheelbase (in)

78.7

Ground Clearance (in)

5.3

Fuel Capacity (gal.)

8.5

Curb Weight (lbs)

2127


Interior

There are no illusions about the iQ's interior. Scion wants to promote that it can technically accommodate up to four individuals. While that may be true, the level of comfort of having four bodies, especially the two rear sets, is close to non-existent.

The front seats are actually pretty comfortable, even if everything else about the cabin seems rather dull. The point is, the iQ isn't meant for anything else other than to be a city commuter. If you want to make the most out of your experience with the iQ's cabin, just settle for having just one passenger and turn the rear seats into a bigger cargo space.

2014 Scion iQ - Interior Specification

Head Room - Front/Rear (in)

37.7/35.9

Shoulder Room - Front/Rear (in)

53.1/50.2

Leg Room - Front/Rear (in)

40.9/28.6

Seating Capacity

5

Passenger Volume (cu.ft.)

73.8

Cargo Volume (Rear Seats Up) (cu.ft.)

3.5


Drivetrain

Surprisingly, the Scion iQ has a relatively powerful 1.3-liter, in-line-four engine that produces 94 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 89 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. In any under car, those numbers are paltry; but given the iQ's size and weight, it's more than enough to take you from Point A to Point B without too much trouble.

The car is also fuel efficient, capable of hitting 36 mph in the city and 37 mph on the highway. We don't think the iQ should come anywhere close to highways, but if there's no other alternative, at least you can take comfort knowing that you have a fuel efficient ride in your hands.

2014 Scion iQ - Drivetrain Specification

Displacement (l)

1.3

Output (HP @ RPM)

94 @ 6,000

Torque (LB-FT @ RPM)

89 @ 4,400

Valve Configuration

DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder with Dual VVT-i

Bore X Stroke (mm)

72.5 X 80.5

Compression Ratio

11.5 : 1

Transmission

CVT-i

Ignition System

Toyota Direct Ignition (TDI)

Drivetrain

FWD


Prices

TheThe 2014 Scion iQ carries a starting price of $16,420, more expensive than almost all of its competitors except for the Fiat 500, which has a price tag that begins around that $17,000 level.

Competitors

2014 Fiat 500

Whereas the iQ looks really funky and appeals to a certain segment, the Fiat 500 also has its own design corner, that being the retro-classic look.

The Italian compact arrived on the North American market in early 2012 and it quickly became one of the most successful models in its class. It is powered by a 1.4-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine with state-of-the-art MultiAir technology. This engine delivers 101 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 98 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm.

On the U.S. market the model is priced from $16,000.

2014 Mini Cooper

The next-generation Mini Cooper made its long-awaited debut last November and while initial glances seem to point to a relative lack of distinctive changes, a closer look will tell you the exact opposite.

Among other things, the new Cooper also received a revised grille with a smooth, one-piece chrome frame. The headlights were also revised with new graphics and clearly structured inner workings. But the biggest change is the overall shape of the nose, which is far less upright than the previous generation, a change that has given the Cooper a more athletic profile.

Under its hood, the new Cooper gets a variety of engine options, including a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder that delivers a total of 136 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.4 seconds with the manual transmission or 7.8 seconds with an automatic with a top speed of 130 mph.

Pricing for the 2014 Cooper begins at $19,950 for the base Cooper model and $23,600 for the Cooper S.

Conclusion

If you're going to buy the Scion iQ, you need to know what it is and what it's not. That's the most important thing. As a compact city car, the iQ has its benefits and let's face it, it's going to get its share of quizzical looks from people. But once you think that it could be more than that, you probably need to step away for a second and re-evaluate your purchase.