Hyundai set to challenge Toyota’s iQ
February 3, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Hyundai is set to challenge Toyota’s upcoming iQ mini car with a vehicle it says will be a more functional and economical alternative.
Internally referred to as ‘green baby’, the new model could hit the market as early as next year and although no pictures are yet available, we are told the car may be based on the existing i10 platform (as pictured above).
The vehicle will be offered with one powertrain and trim level to keep costs down and will offer an options service (similar to that of Toyota’s iQ) to ensure high personalisation levels are maintained.
Although Hyundai’s ‘green baby’ will most likely be reserved for Europe there is a slight chance we could see the minature vehicle here in Australia.
Print it: 
Could be a good idea to bring it here – could help to slow the population growth down – if you get T-boned by a large car/4wd you would be history – contary to what lab conducted crash tests might say.
How many will Toyota sell before the mandatory re call?
I did manage a new Toyota dealership and during one of our dealer meetings i was surprised to see that Toyota are very closely watching Hyundai and what they do with the market. They conceder Hyundai to be their greatest threat.
In times like these, what Hyundai has to offer is good value for money, people willing to pay $$ for a car will no doubt at least think of the korean brands. With all the good reviews out there? Why not?
I think it’s a tad too small for Australia at the moment.
Cars like this definitely have a future though and hopefully we get to see them in Australia in the future.
Where’s the i20? It’s already on sale in Europe and I’ve heard nothing about a launch date for Australia?
Hi Yianni,
I have a slightly different point of view.
I think these car are not too small for Australia, truth is Australian are too fat to fit these cars.
Toyota’s upcoming iQ got enough positive feedback and review from Europe and Japan.
Yes, there are problems and Toyota will fix them shortly.
And I hope this Hyundai’s new mini car will be practical as iQ.
Personally already fed up their (Hyundai/KIA) stupid TV commercials.
Does anyone watched Hyundai Genesis TV commercial during Super bowl in USA?
You can watch from YouTube any way.
They can be the company of threat for Toyota soon or later.
And they will be #1 car company for numbers soon.
But at the moment I think they just makes soulless, cheap cars…
IQ [GREAT name BTW BigT!] is totally pointless in Oz, UNLESS they can sell it for $9,990 DRIVEAWAY
The Yaris 3 door is already so small how could u really find something so small like the IQ useful?
As for Hyundai stop copying BigT, must be a “H” thing, as the WORLD LEADERS in copying is also a H as in haHonda?
Cheers,
F-0
I Drove one of these cars over in Europe only 3 months ago and let me tell you they are a terrible car. Poor Steering, seats uncomfortable and apparantly featured ABS brakes and happened to skid on us in slight wet conditions.
Just goes to show YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
Just a thought karen was the car that bad or did you decide this was a bad car before you even got into the car?????
I can concur with Karen on the i10 from the point of view of sitting in one in the UK in October 08 (awful seats). When will the car manufacturers learn that if you want to sell micro/mini cars successfully, you need to make them quiet, comfortable as well as good on the ride and handling side (plus all of the other features that make micro/mini cars desireable). I’ve sat in the C1/107/Aygo triplets, Fiat Panda, Fiat 500, i10, Kia Picanto, Renault Twingo, Smart Fortwo, Suzuki Splash/Vauxhall Aglia and the VW Fox. All bar the 500 and the Fortwo had dreadful seats and some of them were too cramped to sit in (I’m 6′4″ btw, a cruel test for any car… :))! I sat in all of these vehicles with an open mind and was very disapointed.