TOYOTA'S take on the tiniest city car is the three-and-a-half seater iQ, which is the same size as a smart but better to drive and more practical.

Powered either by the 67bhp engine from the Aygo and Peugeot 107, or the company's 1.33 super-efficient unit, it seats three adults and a child and gives them all proper five star crash protection.

The 1.33 engine is more expensive, not much faster, less economical and has higher emissions than the 1.0-litre so it's not to be recommended.

To stuff so much into such a small space, the designers had to come up with some clever engineering.

The flat fuel tank is under the floor, there's special compact aircon, it has slim seats to make more space, and a dash with extra space on the passenger side for more legroom behind.

Performance is not achingly slow and it can even handle longer journeys with reasonable ease. Comfort is fair and handling very good.

With three and a half people aboard there is no luggage space at all. Standard kit includes, electric front windows and remote locking, traction and stability control and a six speaker stereo - but you have to turn it up fairly high at speed to be able to hear it.

: Suzuki Alto, Toyota Aygo