Scion claims that the 2016 Scion iM is fast, frugal and fun, but is it? Roman Mica drove the new hatchback down a windy road to find out.
The new iM is one of two new models for the Scion brand in 2016, the other being the iA, the company’s first sedan and a clone of the new Mazda 2. The iM is based off of the Toyota Auris hatchback, which shares a platform with the Scion tC coupe.
Motivating the iM is Toyota’s 1.8-liter, 137 horsepower four cylinder engine that can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or a CVT. The CVT, which Scion calls CVT-iS, is a sport-tuned transmission that has a sport mode, which defines seven stepped gear ratios and allows for manual shifting. The iM doesn’t have paddle shifters, but it does have a manual gate on the console shifter.
The iM with the manual transmission is rated at 27 mpg city, 36 mpg highway and 31 mpg combined, while the iM with the CVT is rated at 28 mpg city, 37 mpg highway and 32 mpg combined.
Like the tC, the iM has an independent, double-wishbone rear suspension in the back to complement the MacPherson strut independent suspension in the front. The all-independent setup should result in better driving dynamics than its cousin, the Toyota Corolla, which rides on a similar platform but has a torsion beam rear suspension.
While the iM started out as a humble Toyota hatchback, it has been reworked for duty as a sporty hatchback with an aero-bodywork kit and 17-inch alloy wheels that gives the car a more aggressive stance.
Inside, the iM has a 4.2-inch infotainment screen with HD radio, a backup camera and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Scion offers only one trim for the iM, with pricing starting at $19,255 for the manual and $19,995 for the CVT.
So is the iM a fast, fun and frugal hatchback? Check out the full video below to find out:
