Topic: First Drive: 2016 Scion iM

[Autos_Editor]

 Getting out of the Matrix.

Scion's leap into the mainstream market comes in the form of a little hatchback named iM


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[CSH]

So is it more Matrix sized or Yaris sized?

[OliverD]

So is it more Matrix sized or Yaris sized?

Probably in between.

The price is good but I'm not a fan of this mono-spec business. They should at least offer a leather + sunroof package or something. Preferably for $1500 like on the Focus.

[dirtyjeffer]

$825 upgrade to the "automatic" seems like a pretty competitive price...most seem to charge $1000-$1500.

[.l..]

"we’re not getting the Mazda2-based iA sedan in Canada"

No loss there...



I was really liking this car though, until I got to your driving impressions.  Why, and/or where...did Toyota's little rev happy 180 hp 1.8l go?  There's a guy in town who has one of the first year Matrix XRS, 6 spd manual and all...and I remember the 1st time I heard him zip by in 2nd when he was on it a little. "Damn," I thought, "that thing sounds sweet!" (for a 4 banger!) And appears that it can hustle a bit too.  But 137 HP, in a car that looks like this? What a let down.  It looks better than the little engine that can't that it's been saddled with.  Bright side I guess being it's sure attractive. At least from your pics.  Not like you're supposed to drive fast anyway...I guess a test drive would be in order to see if I felt the same - not like I drive fast bikes or fast cars, so author's impressions of speed may differ greatly from mine.

[JohnnyMac]

So is it more Matrix sized or Yaris sized?

Probably in between.

The price is good but I'm not a fan of this mono-spec business. They should at least offer a leather + sunroof package or something. Preferably for $1500 like on the Focus.

I think I'll disagree on the mono-spec.  This saves a lot on producing the car and in crash testing.  I like it being mostly loaded (more like a middle trim level really) and having just a few add ons. 

This definitely looks more sporty than it actually is but at least it does the fuel economy thing well.  The automatic is a reasonable price option, and I won't be surprised to see 80%+ being optioned as such.

Personally at this price I'd probably prefer the Mazda 3 or VW Golf as they offer better driving dynamics and more fun to drive.  That being said I think this iM should fill the void in Toyota's lineup the Matrix left when they killed it.

[Minou]

"and you wouldn’t be wrong to ask yourself if you were actually looking at a Toyota Auris, as the iM rides on the same platform (which also shares a platform with the Corolla and the tC)"

Again, the tC is on the Toyota Avensis platform not the Auris'.  BTW, The Avensis would be a great Scion "mainstream" sedan.

[OliverD]

So is it more Matrix sized or Yaris sized?

Probably in between.

The price is good but I'm not a fan of this mono-spec business. They should at least offer a leather + sunroof package or something. Preferably for $1500 like on the Focus.

I think I'll disagree on the mono-spec.  This saves a lot on producing the car and in crash testing.  I like it being mostly loaded (more like a middle trim level really) and having just a few add ons.

But you're alienating buyers who want more features. I'm not talking about making a complex system of options, just another package or trim level to compete with more loaded Golfs/3s/Focuses.

[SKYMTL]

I really like the looks of this car.  Unfortunately, as with so many Toyotas as of late....all show and absolutely no go. 

[RaHorakhty]

This car is everything I want, but that's coming from a Matrix driver, so I'm biased. Yes, it's a dishwasher on wheels, but it just keeps on going. I don't care for loaded features because they stop working. I also don't care for the cars this one competes with because they also stop working. I was saddened when the Matrix stopped production because I wouldn't have a replacement, but thenI realized, I don't need a replacement because my car keeps on working. Plus, now this one is available. The other saddening thing is that as my family continues growing, one more kid and we'll have outgrown the car, so it's minivan time for me as my next set of wheels.

[OliverD]

I don't care for loaded features because they stop working.

I can't recall any extraneous feature on any car I've ever owned that has stopped working.

[greengs]

"we’re not getting the Mazda2-based iA sedan in Canada"

No loss there...

Haha, while not a looker, the iA seems like a lot more fun to drive. It even comes with a conventional automatic transmission. 

[conwelpic]

So is it more Matrix sized or Yaris sized?

closer to the Matrix than Yaris

Length of iM - 170.5"; Matrix - 171.9"; Yaris - 155.5"
Width of iM - 69.3"; Matrix - 69.5"; Yaris - 66.7"
Height of iM - 55.3"; Matrix - 61.0"; Yaris - 59.4"

[dkaz]

It's a Corolla hatchback aka Matrix.

Surprised about the iM's height value though.

[JohnM]

I don't care for loaded features because they stop working.

I can't recall any extraneous feature on any car I've ever owned that has stopped working.

Ah, the words of youth!

Cheers,
John M.

[carcrazed]

It's a Corolla hatchback aka Matrix.

Surprised about the iM's height value though.

It's a much lower car to appeal to the younger or young-in-mind crowds, IMO.

Personally, I'd look at this as a second car for my family.  It seems to have a good value for $22K.  I wonder if it'll come with Android Auto down the road so one can use the phone for navigation instead of paying the dealer to install it.

[bombastic]

This car is everything I want, but that's coming from a Matrix driver, so I'm biased. Yes, it's a dishwasher on wheels, but it just keeps on going. I don't care for loaded features because they stop working. <b>I also don't care for the cars this one competes with because they also stop working.</b> I was saddened when the Matrix stopped production because I wouldn't have a replacement, but thenI realized, I don't need a replacement because my car keeps on working. Plus, now this one is available. The other saddening thing is that as my family continues growing, one more kid and we'll have outgrown the car, so it's minivan time for me as my next set of wheels.

Really? So Honda Fit stop working???

[northsparrow]

It looks like it lost a lot of the headroom for which the Matrix/Vibe was famed far and wide.

[whereetheris]

so this iM has the base corolla 1.8 or the new 1.8 in the ECO version?

[dkaz]

It's a Corolla hatchback aka Matrix.

Surprised about the iM's height value though.

It's a much lower car to appeal to the younger or young-in-mind crowds, IMO.

Personally, I'd look at this as a second car for my family.  It seems to have a good value for $22K.  I wonder if it'll come with Android Auto down the road so one can use the phone for navigation instead of paying the dealer to install it.

I would call it competitive with the VW Golf TSI Comfortline with Convenience Package. I don't have any qualms about this price point, Mazda released the Skyactiv engine only on the middle of the line GS package in 2012 and 50% of the Mazda 3s they sold that year were Skyactivs.

+1's over the Corolla are:

• Standard dual zone automatic climate control (IIRC, it's only single zone in the Corolla S with Upgrade Package, LE with Upgrade Pacakge, and LE ECO.
• Sport tuned double wishbone rear suspension vs. torsion beam rear suspension, should make the iM much more enjoyable to drive

Unfortunately, Toyota is not interested in Android Auto and Apple Carplay functionality.