Ever wish someone was dead – and then they died?
You might feel a bit guilty, even if you had nothing to do with it. I don’t.
Of course, that’s because Scion is a brand, and not a person. If it was a person, it would be Steve Buscemi in that 21 Jump Street spoof, all “Hello, fellow kids!” fake marketing. Some Scion models were pretty interesting, and the company gave us the sporty little FR-S. Even so, I just wished it would go away.
Reason being: Scion’s mono-spec trim and separate focus served to muddy the water and make its Toyota parent company look deeply uncool. Keeping all the youth-oriented stuff under a different barrier ignores Toyota’s heritage of neat-but-affordable machines like the MR2, the Corolla GT-S, and the much-missed Celica.
Happily, Scion has snuffed it, shuffled off this mortal ignition coil, gone to join the carpark invisible. I’m sure Toyota learned a few marketing tips, but as far as the rest of us are concerned, good riddance.
Thus, the iM becomes the Corolla iM – although I wish they’d just called it the Matrix again. Once a useful favourite of Canadians, how does Toyota’s compact hatchback deliver, now that the correct badge is back on the front?
Design
Probably the high point in the Scion range, the iM came standard with some pretty sharp-looking 17-inch alloy wheels and a standard aerodynamic kit. As a Corolla, the tradition continues, with the single-spec model looking very sporty indeed.
This is the only model in Toyota’s lineup that doesn’t have a huge, gawping grille, and it’s the better for it. The iM does have a couple of do-nothing front air intakes in the lower airdam, but overall it’s far more functionally oriented than some other Toyota-badged machines.
The only real complaint is that the single-spec trim continues. While it’s sporty looking indeed, the iM would find plenty of fans willing to look at a slightly dowdier model, perhaps one with bargain-focused 16-inch wheels and better ground clearance without the side-skirts. With many of their models, Toyota offers a TRD trim that’s the sporty variant – the iM doesn’t need much further visual sharpening, and might even be better if there was a less expensive, warm-and-fuzzy model.
Environment
Splitting the difference nicely between functional and sporty, the iM’s interior is a mild upgrade over the standard Corolla. The front bucket seats are comfortable and well bolstered, and the fabric looks like it’ll wear well over the years.
The infotainment system, Toyota’s ubiquitous Entune, is quick to pair to a phone and easy to use. The stereo is also relatively clear and powerful, a nice bonus in what’s emphatically an entry level car.
As is common with almost every Toyota, there are plenty of button-blanks here, but the iM is relatively well-equipped as standard. Automatic headlights and automatic dual-zone climate control are base features, as are heated seats. For some reason, Toyota tucks the buttons for these last away in a cubby beneath the centre console.
Less good are the rear seats, which are a bit flattish. The old Matrix came with flat-folding rear seats that were covered in plastic for durability, and while the iM folds almost flat, it’s not really a replacement in terms of durable functionality. Further, if you’re going to carry rear seat passengers frequently, you can’t beat the Corolla sedan’s huge back seat.
However, the iM is a nicely equipped, practical hatchback that looks a bit sporty to drive. With that, let’s crank over the engine.
Performance
Just one engine offering exists for the iM, a 1.8-litre four-cylinder that produces 137 h.p. at 6,100 r.p.m. and 126 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 r.p.m. Two transmissions are available, a six-speed manual or a CVT.
In terms of forward progress, they might have called it the iM Slow. Like most Corollas, the iM is pretty leisurely at accelerating, and requires a bit of forward planning when passing is called for.
Around town, things are relatively acceptable, and because the standard tires are low rolling-resistance Ecopias, the iM will actually chirp its wheels if you jump on the throttle too aggressively. It’s a bit embarrassing, really.
The good news is that the handling’s there. Despite pretty numb steering, the iM is fairly lively from the driver’s seat. It’s more commuter with a pulse than actual sporty hatchback, but there’s a personality here.
Even though there’s a manual on offer – rare in this day and age – the CVT is probably the better choice here. Not only is the stick shift a bit of an ergonomically odd reach, the four-cylinder doesn’t respond much to prodding. You might as well skip the labour and concentrate on keeping speed up in the corners.
And then there’s the standard safety suite which Toyota has added this year. Pre-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, and automatic high beams all come together to make the iM a very safe and practical option.
Again, that Toyota badge on the front should probably mean that the iM be offered in both a sporty looking variant and a less-expensive base model. It’s not fast, but it would make for a great practical hatchback choice for someone more concerned with reliability and safety than with pace.
Features
As mentioned, everything on the iM is standard. At $22,540 for the manual version, the iM is undercut by the starting price of other compact hatches, but start optioning up a better stereo and keyless entry, and you’re looking at a more competitive price.
Fuel economy doesn’t look especially competitive, but the iM faithfully delivers where turbocharged competitors sometimes drink more fuel than claimed. Official figures are 8.8 (litres/100 kilometres) in the city and 6.8 on the highway.
Green light
Sporty looks; practical layout; handles well.
Stop sign
Humble performance; not as practical as the old Matrix; still not enough choice.
The checkered flag
Works better as a Toyota than as a Scion, but would be improved with more trim variety.
Competition
Honda Civic Hatchback ($21,490): Finally back in the Honda stable, the hatchback version of the Civic gives Canadians the option of getting a more practical version of the country’s favourite car. It’s not the cheapest model out there – there are less well-equipped versions of the sedan for less money – but it’s a pretty convincing machine.
Equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, the Civic has gumption where the Corolla merely has noise. Even with the CVT option, it’s still quite fun to drive, and it’s filled with clever Honda touches like a luggage cover that retracts into the right hand side of the trunk.
Even better, there’s a Sport trim for those who want zip, and a regular trim for those more concerned with comfort. Toyota already sells the iM with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine overseas – if they want to be truly competitive, they’re going to have to up their game.
