IQ (2008 to 2016)

The Toyota iQ, manufactured globally from 2008 until 2016, is a marvel of miniaturisation that challenged the very definition of a city car by packing seating for three adults and a child into a footprint less than three metres long. While it was never officially sold through Toyota Australia's dealer network, the iQ has carved out a fascinating niche in the 2026 Australian market as a high-tech "grey import" that offers a more refined, Japanese alternative to the Smart Fortwo. The local buyer pool is a dedicated group of inner-city dwellers and tech-focused enthusiasts who value the iQ’s revolutionary packaging—including its flat under-floor fuel tank and ultra-compact air conditioning unit—which makes it the ultimate weapon for navigating the tightening parking constraints of Sydney and Melbourne. Desirability has spiked in 2026 as more Australians seek out the rare, top-spec iQ3 models with the 1.33-litre engine and the legendary nine-airbag safety suite, which even includes a world-first rear window curtain airbag. Consequently, the market value for the iQ in Australia remains surprisingly resilient; while standard 1.0-litre models are increasingly popular as quirky, fuel-efficient runabouts, the extremely limited GRMN Supercharger variants and the ultra-luxury Aston Martin Cygnet rebadge have become blue-chip collectibles, with prices reflecting their status as irreplaceable artifacts of Toyota's most daring engineering era.

The Toyota iQ, manufactured globally from 2008 until 2016, is a marvel of miniaturisation that challenged the very definition of a city car by packing seating for three adults and a child into a footprint less than three metres long. While it was never officially sold through Toyota Australia's dealer network, the iQ has carved out a fascinating niche in the 2026 Australian market as a high-tech "grey import" that offers a more refined, Japanese alternative to the Smart Fortwo. The local buyer p… Read more