Toyota IQ Hatchback Review

The 1.0-litre petrol engine has an adequate 67bhp, while the 1.33-litre has 98bhp. Whichever you choose, the iQ feels sprightly around town, but both engines can struggle once the speeds pick up. Buyers of either engine can choose between a five-speed manual gearbox and the Multidrive CVT auto.

The iQ is effortless to drive in the city, thanks to light controls and an incredibly tight turning circle, but the ride is choppy. It struggles on faster roads, too. There’s a fair bit of body lean in bends and it quickly runs out of front-end grip, while vague steering and a vulnerability to side winds make long journeys hard work.

The three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine has a distinctive thrum, and the door mirrors generate some wind noise at speed, but in most other respects the iQ is impressively hushed. Toyota has tried to make the optional CVT gearbox feel more like a conventional auto, but it still thrashes too much when you put your foot down.