Two weeks following Toyota’s announcement it was killing off the Scion brand, a couple 2016 models, the iA sedan and iM hatchback, showed up at my home. They are new products from Scion, and I presume they’ll be continued into the 2017 model year as Toyota models.
The two Scions, priced at $16,470 and $19,594 respectively, are the cheapest cars I’ve driven in a couple of years, and, fittingly, came my way immediately following the lavish BMW flagship 750i xDrive sedan. I enjoyed getting back to more basic transportation.
Regarding the two Scions, the iA four-door is based on the Mazda2 and the iM in looks is a low-price copy of the Lexus CT200h hatch.
Scion was introduced in California in 2003 as a separate brand from Toyota, aimed at young drivers. It was sold nationally beginning in 2004.
The youth brand never reached the sales level anticipated by its Toyota bosses. Led by its sporty tC coupe, Scion peaked in 2006 with 173,034 sales. It then suffered five years of declining sales before a spurt in 2012, when its lineup included the tC, FR-S, xB, xD and iQ. Last year, it sold only 56,000 units.
The new iA, which rides on a wheelbase of only 101 inches, has a short turn circle of 32 feet. A glance at its downward-aimed grille from the front reminds me just a bit of an unpopular trash fish we would once in a while catch years ago fishing the trout stream at my boyhood home of Wray. Once past the grille, though, the sleek body is very stylish.
The iA produces super economy from its little 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission. It carries an EPA estimate of 31/41 miles per gallon, and my overall average was 37.5, aided by a 50-mile highway cruise. An optional 6-speed automatic transmission will push the sticker price $1,100 higher.
The iA’s low sticker price of $16,470 includes 7-inch touchscreen display for audio with Bluetooth and Pandora, push-button start, cruise control, backup camera and intermittent wipers.
The iM, on a wheelbase of 102.4 inches, is equipped with a bigger engine – a 137-hp, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder and the 6-speed manual tranny. With its more powerful engine, the iM’s EPA status is 27/36, and I averaged only 26.5 with it in mostly town driving.
A dark, harsh interior in the iM I drove is rescued by a white padded faux-leather strip that slashes across the dash. Cargo space behind the rear seat in the iM is almost 21 cubic feet; that’s 4 more cubic feet than in the Honda Fit.
Both iA and iM are front-wheel-drive models
When Scion is shut down in August, the iA, iM and FR-S models are expected to be continued as Toyotas, while the tC coupe is expected to be discontinued after its long run.
Here are the specifications for the ’16 Scion iA four-door sedan:
- Capacity 4 passenger
- Wheelbase 101.2 inches
- Length 171.1 inches
- Width 66.7 inches
- Height 58.5 inches
- Curb Weight 2,385 pounds
- Track 58.9 inches front, 58.5 rear
- Ground Clearance 5.5 inches
- Turn Circle 32.2 feet
- Drivetrain Front-wheel-drive
- Engine 1.5-liter 4-cylinder
- Horsepower/Torque 106/103
- Transmission 6-speed manual
- Steering electric power
- Suspension MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear
Fuel mileage estimate 31/41 - Fuel mileage average 37.5
- Fuel Tank 11.6 gallons, unleaded regular
- Wheels 16-inch
- Tires Toyo 185/60R16
- Cargo Volume 20.8 cubic feet
- Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles basic, 5/60,000 powertrain
Competitors Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Sonic, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Nissan Versa
Assembly Plant Salamanca, Mexico
Parts Content N.A.
Base Price of Lowest Model $15,700; Base Price of Review Model $15,700; Destination Charge $770; Sticker Price $16,470.