Ask an expert

Hi, I'm choosing between the two - can you give thoughts which is better? I prefer to have more room for my baby (car seat) and non-CVT. Any known issues or watchouts with these models? What are the great things as well for these models? Thanks again for your help.

The Runx is slightly larger, being a derivative of the Corolla, where the Ist is built on the smaller Vitz platform.
These cars both have equally good reputations for reliability, so it really comes down to which one you prefer. From 2007, many of the Ist models will have a CVT transmission, but the year you're talking about (2005) will have a conventional auto.

Given it has a conventional auto transmission, does the Ist have any problems with that? Thanks!

No, the conventional 4 speed automatic that was used by Toyota in this era had a great reliability record.