2011 Scion iQ: MPG and fuel economy
The 2011 Scion iQ is rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 36 combined MPG, with 36 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. That puts it well above the average for cars in the Minicompact Cars class in the same model year.
This page collects every fuel-economy figure the EPA publishes for the 2011 Scion iQ. Below you will find the headline combined, city, and highway MPG, the estimated annual fuel cost at three different driving levels, the tailpipe CO₂ emissions, and a full breakdown of the engine and drivetrain. If you want to know whether this generation got more or less efficient over the years, the year-over-year table further down covers every model year the EPA has rated.
Key takeaways
- Returns 65% better combined MPG than the average car in the Minicompact Cars class for the 2011 model year (21.8 MPG class average).
- The 2011 Scion iQ is the most efficient car in the Minicompact Cars class for the 2011 model year, with its 36 MPG rating leading the segment.
- EPA estimates this car saves around $2,500 in fuel over five years compared with an average new vehicle of the same model year.
Fuel economy at a glance
These are the EPA's official ratings for the 2011 Scion iQ. The numbers come from a standardised laboratory test cycle and are the same figures that appear on the window sticker of every new car. Real-world mileage varies with driving style, weather, fuel quality, and how heavily loaded the car is.
Combined MPG is a 55/45 weighted blend of the city and highway test cycles. The EPA uses it as the single number you can compare across the entire dataset, including hybrids and EVs (which use the equivalent MPGe figure).
| Combined MPG | 36 MPG |
| City MPG | 36 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 37 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,650 |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 247 g/mi |
| Fuel type | Regular |
How the 2011 Scion iQ compares
The 2011 Scion iQ returns 36 combined MPG. Cars in the Minicompact Cars class for the same model year average 21.8 MPG, which puts this car ahead of the class average by about 65%.
Within the Minicompact Cars class for the 2011 model year, the Scion iQ is the leader. No other car in the same class beat its 36 MPG rating. The bar chart below shows it alongside the class average and the average new car for some additional context.
For broader context, the average new car of the 2011 model year (across all classes) returns 20.8 MPG. Larger vehicles pull the all-cars average down, so do not use that figure on its own to judge a small car or a hybrid. The full list of the most efficient cars of the 2011 model year is on its own page.
Annual fuel cost across driving patterns
The headline annual fuel cost the EPA publishes assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year and a fuel mix of 55% city and 45% highway. The dollar figure is calculated using the EPA's current reference price for regular gasoline, which is $3.99/gallon. EPA updates that reference periodically rather than tracking live pump prices, so treat it as a window-sticker estimate rather than today's pump number.
The table below scales the EPA's number to three common driving patterns. The combined MPG and the reference fuel price stay constant, only the annual mileage changes. To get a current-prices estimate, take your local gas price and multiply by 416.7 gallons (the car's annual consumption at the rated MPG).
| Driving pattern | Estimated annual fuel cost |
|---|---|
| Light driver, 7,500 miles per year | $825 |
| Average driver, 15,000 miles per year | $1,650 |
| Heavy driver, 25,000 miles per year | $2,750 |
Year-over-year MPG for the Scion iQ
The EPA has rated the Scion iQ across 5 model years, from 2011 Scion iQ through 2015 Scion iQ. The numbers below are the best combined MPG figure the EPA published for each year, which lets you see when the car was at its most efficient and how recent generations stack up.
Combined MPG has stayed in roughly the same range across the run. The peak rating came with the 2012 Scion iQ at 37 MPG.
| Year | Combined MPG | Open year page |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 37 MPG | 2015 Scion iQ |
| 2014 | 37 MPG | 2014 Scion iQ |
| 2013 | 37 MPG | 2013 Scion iQ |
| 2012 | 37 MPG | 2012 Scion iQ |
| 2011 | 36 MPG | this page |
Compare against other Minicompact Cars for 2011
If you are cross-shopping the 2011 Scion iQ, the most useful comparison is against the other cars in the Minicompact Cars class for the same model year. The list below shows the highest-MPG peers, ranked from most to least efficient. Click any of them to open its full page.
Specifications
The 2011 Scion iQ runs a 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with a automatic (variable gear ratios), sending power through front-wheel drive.
Engine, transmission, and drivetrain together drive most of the variation in fuel economy across trims. A larger engine moves the car with less effort but burns more fuel. A turbo lets a small engine punch above its weight, often without much MPG penalty. All-wheel drive adds traction and weight, and usually costs a couple of MPG compared with two-wheel drive of the same engine.
- Vehicle class
- Minicompact Cars
- Engine
- 1.3L 4-cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic (variable gear ratios)
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel type
- Regular
- Annual petroleum use
- 8.3 barrels per year
Common questions about the 2011 Scion iQ
Quick answers to the questions people most often search for when looking up the 2011 Scion iQ.
-
Is the 2011 Scion iQ fuel efficient?
Yes. The 2011 Scion iQ returns 36 combined MPG, which beats the average car in the Minicompact Cars class for the same model year by about 65%. -
What MPG does the 2011 Scion iQ get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Scion iQ at 36 combined MPG, 36 MPG in city driving, and 37 MPG on the highway. Real-world numbers depend on your driving style, the weather, and how loaded the car is. -
How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Scion iQ per year?
The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $1,650 for the 2011 Scion iQ. That figure assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year, a 55% city and 45% highway split, and the EPA's published average fuel price for the rated fuel grade. -
What fuel does the 2011 Scion iQ use?
The EPA lists the 2011 Scion iQ as running on regular gasoline. Using a different grade than the manufacturer specifies can affect fuel economy and engine longevity. -
Has the Scion iQ become more fuel efficient over time?
Combined MPG has stayed close to flat across the run. Both the earliest (2011 Scion iQ, 36 MPG) and most recent (2015 Scion iQ, 37 MPG) versions sit in the same range. -
How much CO₂ does the 2011 Scion iQ emit?
Tailpipe CO₂ emissions are 247 g/mi. Multiplied across a typical year of driving (15,000 miles) that works out to about 3,703 kilograms of CO₂. -
What is the difference between the city and highway MPG of the 2011 Scion iQ?
City driving returns 36 MPG and highway driving returns 37 MPG, a gap of 1 MPG. The two figures are close enough that the car will hold its rated efficiency well across most driving patterns. -
What engine is in the 2011 Scion iQ?
The 2011 Scion iQ has a 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine. -
What transmission and drivetrain does the 2011 Scion iQ have?
The 2011 Scion iQ comes with a automatic (variable gear ratios) transmission and front-wheel drive. -
Is the 2011 Scion iQ the most efficient car in its class?
Yes. Among cars in the Minicompact Cars class for the 2011 model year, the Scion iQ returns the highest combined MPG at 36 MPG. No other car in the same class beats that figure.
Source: U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset. Annual fuel cost figures assume 15,000 miles of driving per year and a 55% city, 45% highway split. Real-world mileage varies with driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, fuel quality, and driver behaviour.