Toyota iQ coffee van: a mobile cafe in a city car

The Toyota iQ is known for its innovative design and compact proportions. But one owner took things further by transforming it into something completely unexpected: a fully functional Toyota iQ coffee van.

This unique conversion shows just how versatile the Toyota iQ can be, even in the smallest of spaces.

Meet the Toyota iQ coffee van

Budding entrepreneur Jason Bowes created his business, Coffee2Go, by serving speciality coffees, teas and hot chocolates directly from the back of his Toyota iQ at events in the North East of England.

After buying the car in late 2012, he worked with his father to convert it into a compact mobile café, turning a standard city car into a fully operational business.

Read our full history of the Toyota iQ city car here.

How do you fit a coffee shop into a Toyota iQ?

Transforming a small car into a working café required creative thinking and careful planning.

The conversion included:

• A high-end espresso machine mounted in place of the rear seats
• A 75-litre water tank and gas system for steam and hot drinks
• A custom-built frame to secure the equipment safely

Despite the tight space, everything was designed to fit neatly within the iQ’s compact interior.

Notably, the setup was built without permanently modifying the car, meaning it could be returned to a standard layout if needed.

Making the most of a compact design

The Toyota iQ’s clever packaging made it surprisingly well suited to this kind of conversion.

Even with the coffee equipment installed, the car could still carry:

• Coffee beans, cups and ingredients
• A milk chiller
• A till and serving equipment
• A portable table and signage on roof rails

All of this demonstrates how efficiently the iQ uses its limited space.

Read about city driving in the Toyota iQ – Toyota iQ review on the streets of London – Toyota UK Magazine

A small business with big impact

Coffee2Go quickly attracted attention from customers, many of whom were surprised to discover a professional coffee setup inside such a small car. The concept proved popular at events, with visitors often stopping not just for a drink, but to take photos and learn more about the idea.

For Jason, the project was also a family effort:

• He managed the day-to-day business
• His father helped design and build the conversion
• His mother supported the business operations

Our Toyota iQ fuel economy test – Toyota iQ fuel economy put to the test – Toyota UK Magazine

Why the Toyota iQ was perfect for the job

The success of the coffee van highlights some of the iQ’s key strengths:

• Compact size makes it ideal for events and tight spaces
• Innovative packaging allows surprising interior flexibility
• Eye-catching design draws attention in crowded environments

These qualities made it an ideal platform for an unconventional mobile business.

Toyota iQ coffee van: key facts

• Business: Coffee2Go mobile café
• Location: North East England
• Conversion time: approximately one month
• Equipment: espresso machine, water tank, gas system
• Built: by owner and family

The groundings of a great business

There’s a great buzz around Coffee2Go – and not just from the customers ordering double espressos.

“I think the biggest compliment the car gets is people saying how professional it looks – they’re quite surprised to hear that my dad and I built it. I’ve had people saying they assumed it must be a franchise from one of the big coffee companies,” says Jason.

That couldn’t be further from the truth. Toyota iQ ownership is just one part of the story. Coffee2Go is very much a family effort – while Jason manages the day-to-day business, and his dad helped with the build, his mum Janet looks after the accounts.

Jason adds: “It’s a small business right now, but I’ve had a great response to the car. People love taking photos of it, and like the idea behind it – so hopefully I can keep it up longer term. I’d really like to build another car and expand.”

It may be early days, but the eye-catching nature of the Coffee2Go iQ has already led to repeat bookings at Croft race circuit, Newcastle, Sedgefield and Catterick racecourses and other events around the North East.

After the build, the iQ was given the finishing touches of a custom coffee bean wrap and the perfectly appropriate TC07FEE private number plate.

Toyota iQ ownership is working out well, then, but what’s the Coffee2Go iQ like to drive?

Jason says: “When it’s full of water and you’re going up a steep hill you can feel the extra weight a bit, but overall it’s still great to drive. As far as fuel consumption goes, I still get more than 60 miles to the gallon on the motorway, so it’s actually really cheap to run.”

FAQs (Frequently asked questions)

Can you turn a Toyota iQ into a coffee van?

Yes. This example shows that with a custom-built frame and careful planning, a Toyota iQ can be converted into a fully functional mobile café.

Why was the Toyota iQ suitable for a coffee conversion?

Its compact size and efficient interior packaging allowed all the required equipment to fit inside while remaining practical for mobile use.

What equipment fits inside a Toyota iQ coffee van?

The Coffee2Go conversion included an espresso machine, water tank, gas supply, and storage for ingredients and serving equipment.

Read more about the Toyota iQ:

The amazing Toyota iQ racing car – Toyota iQ racing car – coming to a track near you… – Toyota UK Magazine

The details of this article were correct at the time of publication in 2013. Improvements to the structure of the article were made at later dates.