Size Matters, Or Does It?

This is the new Toyota iQ. It is slated to be marketed in Europe next year. It will probably be sold in the U-S under the Scion nameplate.

The car gets over 55 MPG, and will be serious competition to the Smart. The Smart is really the only other "tiny" car that is mass sold in the U-S and Europe right now.

The iQ has some impressive safety features including a total of nine airbags. For the first time there is an airbag that deploys in the rear of the car from the headliner behind the driver.

The engineering is interesting as well with a differential setup that saves a lot of space in the engine compartment by centering the power plant. The rear shocks are slated back to make more room in the rear of the car. The car is classified as a four-seater, but really seats two with room for one in the back or luggage.

The real question is, how small are you willing to go?