With the upcoming Scion iQ, Scion has officially entered the small car market. These compact, fuel-efficient models have been big sellers overseas, and have been picking up here in the US. This makes a lot of sense, as fuel economy has quickly becoming one of the biggest factors when consumers begin searching for a new vehicle. The one thing that could hold a smaller vehicle like the iQ back is how it drives and handles in winter weather. This is precisely why Denis Duquet of the Le Guide de l'Auto, in Montreal took the iQ for what he called "winter hiking"¹

While Duquet admits that his test was not very in-depth, he claims that it still allowed him to test how the vehicle would handle on a typical winter day in the north. So while he didn't put the iQ through any extreme scenarios, we can get a good measurement how the vehicle performs in the winter. He also noted that he had a Fiat 500 and Smart he was testing.

In normal winter weather conditions, Duquet writes "Even when the road is covered with snow, the car does not lose its main features in terms of engine, transmission, steering and braking. This is particularly important for people who are worried about the handling of small cars in snowy roads, during winter."²

Duquet really like the iQ for its sharp handling, snow-gripping tires, and responsive brakes. Many of the vehicles features remained equally as strong in the snow compared to dry pavement. For a small car, this is a huge step in the right direction, and will put a smile on those fuel-conscious drivers across the U.S.

Do you want to learn more about the 2012 Scion iQ? contact Vanderstyne Scion today. We are conveniently located at 4374 Ridge Road West, in Rochester, NY, and we are happy to answer any questions you have about the iQ or any other Scion models.

Source: ^1,2http://www.torquenews.com/1/scion-iq-2012-taken-winter-testing-small-car