It's the automatic. It seems Toyota is still using 4 speed ones in their smaller cars, while much of the competition is using 6. They will likely update with the next model refresh, but then the iQ might lose its fuel economy edge to its siblings.
Toyota doesn't offer a 6-spd manual anymore. The Corolla XRS (the sportiest Corolla w/ a 2.4 litre engine) only comes with a 5-spd (manual and automatic). The rest of the line-up gets a 5-spd manual or a 4-spd auto. It's a good combo (And probably very cheap for them) and the mileage is reasonably competitive (a corolla 4A gets better mpg in Canada than the Civic 5A but it's probably because it's tuned to be relaxed while the Civic has a shorter gear ratio for a sportier transmission) Yeah exactly, although the new Jetta's cost-cutting measures (and resultant price drop) doesn't do it for me. VW has lowered the Jetta to the level of the competition. Yeah the internal conflict will be there for sure. The 4-spd will go. I was surprised that the xB came with the 2AZ-FE 2.4 litre w/ 4-spd (Same combo as our 2002 Camry) when the redesign came. I was expecting to see the new 2AR-FE 2.5 litre (that's replacing the 2.4 litre in all vehicles). I'm gonna guess it came down to cost and it was cheaper for Toyota to get a few more years out of the aging (but pretty solid) powerplant. The new xB should get a 2.5 litre/5A setup, similar to the tC. Now the question is whether they'll keep the xB at that size. I really liked the smaller size of the 1G xB and frankly the current one is just bloated. But like you said, with the iQ, they may not want to downsize the xB just yet so that they can keep a distance from one another.
Since the manual in Europe is a 6sp. for the 1.33l engine, you might get lucky and see this transmission. This would require the market to demand a manual, which will be the difficult part.
This is North America you're talking about. We're more likely to see the return of Alfa Romeo than see a 6-spd manual offered. They might if they want to advertise a lower price (I harder expect it to improve mpg).
