(Used) Devon test drives a Scion with IQ

The Smart Fortwo isn't the smallest car that you can buy in the U.S. anymore. The Scion IQ is designed to compete with the Fortwo, but there's one thing the IQ can do that the Fortwo cannot. The Scion IQ can seat up to four people in theory. Being only so much larger than the Fortwo, can Scion lure customers away from larger more comfortable alternates.

Likes: Nimble around town, well equipped and easy to park.

Dislikes: Looks like a toy car, boot space doesn't exist if rear seats are in place. The stereo control is fiddly and the styling is rather dorky.

Performance: There's only one engine available for the IQ, that's a 1.33-liter four-cylinder with 98hp. Performance is spirited around town, but on the motorway you'll need to plan out overtaking other vehicles. Getting up to speed takes a little longer than you desire. But the IQ is much more peppier than the Fortwo.

Ride & Handling: The IQ is more comfortable to drive around town than the Fortwo. Thanks to an incredible turning circle and light controls. On faster roads, the IQ struggles to stay composed. There's a fair bit of body lean in bends and the front end runs out of grip quickly. The steering often feels vague and there's vulnerability to side winds. Making long journeys hard work.

Refinement: There's an incredible amount of refinement inside of the IQ. Although the door mirrors produce a bit of wind noise. Road noise is also very hushed. The CVT transmission makes the engine sound buzzy and thrashes when pushed hard.

Behind the wheel: The single stereo control on the steering wheel is very fiddly to operate. But it means the center console has extra space for the driver. However, comfort would be improved if the seat was height adjustbale and the wheel moved for reach as well. The heater is controlled via chunky buttons and dials.

Space & Practicality: The IQ in theory is a four-seater, but in reality there's only room for two passengers. The rear seat isn't big enough for kids and eats into the cargo space. So you'll have to choose between people space or cargo space. The boot is totally nonexistent with rear seats in place.

Equipment: The IQ offers plenty of kit for the money. You get six-speaker sound system, air-con, keyless entry and a cd-player. You'll have to pay extra for auto headlamps, fog lamps, rain sensing wipers and climate control.

Buying & Owning: The IQ is more expensive than the Fortwo, but the IQ is a more comfortable car to drive and live with. The transmission is smoother and the brakes are easier to modulate. However, the sheer size of the car may scare away some buyers. Residual values and resale values are unknown because the IQ isn't available in all states yet.

Quality & reliability: It's too soon to say how well the IQ will stand up in long term reliability. Most of the cars engineering is done by Toyota. So there's a piece of mind that you'll be buying a dependable vehicle.

Safety & Security: You get stability control, nine airbags including one that inflates across the rear screen in the event of a rear-end collision. Deadlocks and an integrated stereo makes life for thieves hard.

The IQ only strong points are its smooth transmission, good gas mileage and ease of use around town. However, like the Fortwo - the IQ isn't composed on faster roads. There really isn't much space for four passengers and many buyers will be scared away due to the small size of the car. However, if you desire a small car that's a little less crude than the Fortwo. The IQ is the perfect car for you.

Devon test drives a budget Mitsubishi (Used)

Mitsubishi has been on a rocky roller coaster here in the U.S. Many have thought the company would finally disappear like Suzuki did last year. Little did anyone ever think that Mitsubishi still had some fight within the company. They've recently released the new Outlander and are also working on the next the generation Lancer. So it was no surprise that Mitsubishi offered the Mirage here in the U.S. as a volume seller to bring more traffic into their showrooms. It's a cheeky small car that goes toe to toe with the Chevy Spark and Scion IQ. It's a cheap small car with plenty of luxury features to choose from. Is this enough to bring buyers back to the ailing brand? Or is it all just a lost cause?

Performance: The Mirage only comes with one engine and that's a 1.2-liter three-cylinder which produces 74hp. Around town the Mirage feels zippy and light which is what most Mirage owners will use this vehicle for. Take the Mirage outside of the city and you'll have to work the engine hard to get any kind of pace out of it. The standard five-speed manual makes the most of what the engine has to offer. The CVT feels like it saps what little power the engine has and often leaves you cold until the revs build up again.

On the road: The Mirage soft suspension allows it to soak up bumps and some road imperfections. However the car tends to thump over potholes and there's way too much body roll in corners. Steering is light and easy around town while at higher speeds it becomes vague and numb feeling. Part of the whole appeal of the Mirage is the distinct thrum that comes from the three-cylinder engine when you rev it hard. At times it becomes loud and never really settles at highway speeds. This makes long journeys in the Mirage longer and more tiresome than we'd like. The manual gearbox is slick shifting. Wind and road noise will be welcome companions on the highway.

Behind the wheel:  The dashboard has a simple layout. Everything is easy to navigate and easy to use. Drivers will however have a hard time getting comfortable. The steering wheel doesn't adjust for reach and you can only adjust the angle of the seat base not the height. Visibility is so-so thanks to thick side pillars and a small rear windscreen. There's enough space for four inside the cabin. A fifth person would be pushing it. The rear seat is really only designed for two passengers. Boot space isn't great but offers enough for a week's worth of shopping for one. The high load lip makes loading heavy items a little tedious.

Equipment: The Mirage comes standard with power door locks and side view mirrors. A remote keyless entry system comes standard and a rear spoiler. You'll have to step up to the top of the range to get alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity and keyless start system. Optional on the top of the range is navigation system, LED illumination package and unique exterior package.

Buying & owning: We aren't really sure if the Mirage offers a convincing case when you look at the Scion IQ and Chevy Spark. The Mirage is obviously a cheap car but it doesn't really scream value when you compare it to its keen rivals. Running costs will be low while resale value is unknown at this time.

Quality & Safety: The Mirage is a budget car and there's no hiding that fact when you sit inside. It's a shame because the Chevy Spark feels a tad bit higher in interior quality along with the Scion IQ.  The plastics used in the interior feel sturdy and long lasting. They don't really look all that eye appealing. Reliability should be average as with most Mitsubishi products. All Mirage vehicles come with stability control and brake assist to help keep you out of harm's way. Side curtain airbags are fitted as standard too in the event of an accident. Security isn't great but you get an immobilizer.

City cars are supposed to be cheap but also offer some kind of redeeming feature to them. Both the Chevy Spark and Scion IQ offer more of an engaging driving experience around town and can hold its own ground on the highway. The Mirage can do the same but it doesn't feel exciting to drive. There's too much body roll and the steering feels almost nonexistent at higher speeds. Wind and road noise enter the cabin at high levels and the overall packaging of the Mirage is rather disappointing. It's not the best city car you can buy but it does offer decent running cost and the price tag is well justifiable. Sadly this won't be the hallow car Mitsubishi desperately needs.  

Likes: Low running costs. Low price of entry. Easy to drive around town with roomy interior for four.

Dislikes: City cars should be fun to drive and sadly this one is not. Wind and road noise at highway speeds. Steering and handling become sloppy beyond city limits. CVT transmission should be avoided at all cost.

Devon's Pick:  Mirage DE MT is the pick of the range. It's the cheapest and offers the best value overall. You get all the features that you'll ever really need in a budget car and with the five-speed manual gearbox you'll be able to really make the most of what the tiny engine has to offer. The ES trim offers a few extra bits but takes the value factor away. It pushes the price to closer to roomier and much better rivals.  



Devon's Coverage of the Auto Show (Part One)

Scion IQ
Likes: Clever engineering, small size is great for crowded city life, advanced safety features.
Dislikes: Looks like a toy car, rear seat almost a joke, tiny cargo area.
Overall: A step up from the Smart Fortwo, but not by much.












Ford Fiesta
Likes: Very upscale interior, roomy front seats, roomy cargo area, plenty of options to make your Fiesta feel unique.
Dislikes: Can get quite expensive, needs a more power to match sporty looks, rear seat space is rather cramped, no center arm rest.
Overall: Finally a small car from Ford that isn't embarrasing to own.




Mini Countryman
Likes: Still looks like a Mini inside out, extra room for four people, plenty of cargo space as well.
Dislikes: Mini Coopers aren't supposed to be this big!! Price can get high quickly.
Overall: A Mini Cooper with real people space.


Chevy Volt
Likes: High tech electric car, incredible gas mileage, futuristic looking interior decor.
Dislikes: $40,000 price tag.
Overall: Chevy has a winner on its hands. But can it live up to the expectations of the penny pinchers?

Nissan Leaf
Likes: An all-electric car that can be purchased, virtually no exhaust emissions, can be a reasonable second car.

Dislikes: Not very practical if you live more than 70 miles,  or depend on street parking rather than garage, too expensive and impractical for a second car.

Overall: Just like any other car, except no gasoline required.




Fiat 500
Likes: Retro styling, classy upscale interior, lighter and quicker than a base Mini Cooper.
Dislikes: Not all that practical, Italian quality reputation, where's the twinair turbo?
Overall: The turbo version should've been offered first.

Devon M