2012 Scion iQ Review – Interview With the Owner

This is a follow-up article to our 2012 Scion iQ Initial Impressions article from a couple weeks ago. Megan, the owner of the Scion iQ I photographed, ended up finding the article and commenting on it. Since I wasn't able to test drive the iQ, I thought the next best thing would be to get her thoughts on the car with an interview.

ImportMeet.com:
What make/model of car did you previously drive? How does the iQ compare?

Megan:
The last two cars I had were Toyota/Scion. I had a 2008 Toyota Prius, but I ended up not being able to afford the payments. I then had a 2009 Scion xB that I thought I would have until the wheels fell off, but I wasn’t pleased with the gas mileage. I did love how the car drove and how much stuff I could get in it, though. Since I primarily just drive myself to work I felt I could get a smaller car. I love the Scion brand and the iQ surely is distinct in its own way.

ImportMeet.com:
What about the iQ sold you on getting one? Did you test drive any other cars?

Megan:
The gas mileage sold me on it along with the fact that it has been sold in Europe for many years under the Toyota name. I like the safety features too. Most of course was the price. I have this thing loaded with goodies (waiting for the spoiler) and it’s still smaller car payments than my previous cars. I didn’t test drive any other cars since I had my eyes set on this one since January. 

ImportMeet.com:
Does the interior feel cramped? How many people have you comfortably fit inside of it?

Megan:
I feel like I am driving my old xB because it's like a standard sedan in the front two seats. I've had two passengers in this car comfortably. I could have a petite person ride behind me in the back seat as a fourth passenger since I’m short and the seat doesn’t touch the rear seat when I drive. The only time you realize that the car is so small is when you get out and shut the door. Sometimes you wonder where the rest of the car is!

ImportMeet.com:
Are there any noticeable blind spots?

Megan:
The blind spot that people think would be is the pillar on the side just behind the door. I don't notice it. My xB had an awful blind spot. I am surprised that I didn't have any problems in that car. I haven’t had a problem in the iQ yet. 

ImportMeet.com:
What kind of fuel economy are you getting?

Megan:
I am driving some county and around town. I seem to be getting about 35 mpg. I am still getting a feel for the car and the Eco drive light that I didn’t have on the xB. I was getting 26mpg (I think I'm being generous) in the xB doing the same commute I do now. I just passed the 600 mile mark and I think I am getting the hang of how to get better gas mileage. I’m trying for 37mpg on this tank. 

ImportMeet.com:
What sort of comments have you received from other people?

Megan:
Recently someone asked if I brought the car over from Europe. A few people at my work joke about putting it in the back of their gas-guzzling trucks. I see a lot of people stop and look for a long time. I had a car load of kids the night I drove it home off the lot honk over and over and wave like crazy at me. Someone also asked me "Where is the rest of the car?" and "That thing has 4 seatbelts?”

ImportMeet.com:
Is there anything you would change or dislike about the car?

Megan:
It needs one more center cup holder in the front. Self-heating side mirrors would be awesome (but if I get it garaged that wouldn’t matter). My uncle wished it had cruise control since he uses it everywhere. Sometimes the seatbelt can get caught when u close the door, maybe if it was repositioned in the car it wouldn’t happen. One of my backseat passengers also commented that you need to watch out so that you don’t sit on the rear cup holders.

Finding snow chains and or snow tires is going to be a challenge since the tire size is odd. It corners amazingly and the stock radio works wonderfully with the Bluetooth. I love how it starts playing my iTunes music without plugging the phone in!

Thanks for the great feedback Megan.