I bought this car back on February of 2020. 41k on the odometer. Car has good pick up, good pep and go, extremely comfortable. Drove from Massachusetts to Maine and not once did I get uncomfortable. Perfect road trip car, perfect daily commuter. I average between 30-40 mpg on a full tank depending on the weather. Cold weather, snow and icy roads gives me lower MPG however the car has handled like a champ in 7 inches of snow and never once have I gotten stuck; turn off the traction control, have decent tires and its given me nothing but confidence when driving through the heaviest of snow storms. The car got ranked to be most reliable compact car of 2016. So I’m hoping to keep this car til the wheels fall off. It’s stylish, fun to drive, and I'm always getting positive compliments. Next to the 2nd gen XB, this is my most favorite car I’ve owned. This little car hauls alot for a little hatchback; I've camped out in the back with the rear seats folded and an full size air mattress blown snuggly up and I was able to fit my 6ft frame along with my gf on many overnight camping trips at the beach. Went on several road trips with a rear facing baby seat, a full size baby stroller, three adults at 6ft tall, and we all fit nicely in the car with no complaints. I just don't understand why Toyota would make the new Corolla hatchback a little less practical by making the cargo area smaller compared to the IM. 20.8 cu ft vs 17.8 cu ft baffles me. I almost want the Corolla hatchback to be my next car when it comes time to get rid of my IM but the deal breaker is the smaller cargo area. Deleting the wheel that they are now offering is ok, however you lose out on the spare tire unlike with the IM, you still have that spare tire. Which the spare has saved my butt on a few occasions.
Have owned for past 6 years, very comfortable have gone from Massachusetts to Texas, New Orleans to Massachusetts, Massachusetts to South Carolina. Basically take it everywhere, it’s the best, I have a tablet with TH-cam in between the clock. The manual gives it a fun feel. Also a catback and any Intake mod, maybe some fog lights. Just fun. Has had zero issues. At sea level I average 40 mpg. All in all it’s just the best. Bough for 15k with 9k miles, today has 68k and is still worth 10-13k
Just purchased mine! I got a silver one manual transmission. I love the drive! lots of standard features and for a great price! I would recommend this vehicle!
This is a very comprehensive and accurate review of this vehicle. I've owned this exact car for one year. Getting between 33-34 mpg, it is quieter inside than both the Corolla and Camry, and it handles far better than both. The stereo is also quite good. 3 hour road trips are a breeze, comfortable and secure. If you drive the Corolla and the IM back to back, it's not even close, the IM is just a far better value/car.
Bought this 6 mths ago as a third car in the family. Absolutely awesome hatch and i find it very fun to drive. We just call it the Corolla in Australia. Mine is fully loaded with led lights, leather seats, parking sensors, collision detection, cruise control, and body kit. Roomy inside over current gen Corolla plus i think its design will hold up better over time. Port injection too.
I have to say it. I watch allot of reviews and when Alex Dykes reports on a car you get a fully comprehensive review of the car as a total package from interior packaging to engine, transmission and chassis specifics as expected but he also delivers great driving impressions, descript and vivid as automotive journalists in magazines write about driving. Though I'm happy that there are separate videos for the detailed portions of infotainment systems and children's seats. I find his cost computations regarding fuel economy and costs when comparing different engine options and his comparisons to other cars concerning maintenance cost to be useful, particularly when he tells you how long it would take to break even on costs. These are some of the most informative and consistent reviews on TH-cam.
Except the conclusion that the CVT is faster is factually wrong and down right ridiculous. Only the newer Toyotas with launch gear CVTs get close a manual.
sic22l So you are making a generic statement about all CVTs and not this specific comparison between this 6 speed and this CVT tuned to be more responsive when in sport mode. I'm not sure how you can say Alex is wrong when you don't have any numbers to back up your claim.
I drive a 2016 Scion iM (bought certified used). It's actually a surprisingly good car to drive, though I wished it had a bit more safety features. No wonder with steady sales of the iM (which became Toyota Corolla iM), they decided to bring over the Toyota Corolla Hatchback (aka. the current Toyota Auris) model.
+Alex on Autos The Mazda 3 is good for a year, then it turns into a squeaky unreliable mess. I'm trading a 2 year old 3 for this car in the next couple of weeks. Value and reliability are way more important than performance and comfort IMO.
Buck Futter I know right? Tell that to DoubleD 613, who said the interior looked awful. I especially like the center stack. It definitely doesn't look cheap.
The 6-speed manual transmission is about a second quicker 0-60 than the CVT and with a TWM short shifter installed it feels fantastic and for less money then the CVT.
Very well done. Excellent presentation. You covered all of the small details and that is appreciated. You made it easy for me to understand. Boy oh boy is the Red and White really nice color choices.
I just pocked this up 2 hours ago. same exact color. last one on the lot and I got a substantial reduction... I just hope that scion disappearing won't hurt the residual value too much.
This vehicle will be continued as the 2017 Toyota Corolla iM. It's still got Toyota quality, just with a Scion badge. Personally, I think it's really cool that it's the first and last year for Scion iM, I just got one this week in Silver and I absolutely love it. I don't think you'll have to worry about Scion's disappearance effecting the value. :)
It would be great to see how child seats fit in the iM. My wife and I have been thinking about upgrading from our Yaris hatchback and have been wishing Toyota sold the Corolla hatchback in Canada. This could be the answer.
Wow, I really dig your thoroughness on car reviews. I want to hate this car because of the same go-to 136+ Hp engine toyota always seems to use but you make a great case in the realm of value.
Alex, Thank you for your review ! As always, you give a very good perspective for vehicle handling. In my idea, Ford focus and Mazda 3 have the best handling and ride compromise. How do you think Scion IM handle in comparison to Mazda 3 or Ford focus titanium ?
anguy11 Towards the end Toyota had a heck of a time selling the Matrix with sales as low as 2,500 in its final year of 2013. This looks like a very good offering but let's see how many Scion can sell in the 2016 model year.
This looks like a very sensible option though we will have to wait for the "small overlap" test results to confirm that impression. Too bad they did not bring the European wagon version as well .
Hi Alex, I've fast become a fan of your reviews and thanks to you I have narrowed my choices for my next vehicle between the Honda Fit and the Scion iM. I have not test driven either of them because I don't plan to buy until late this year or early next year so I wanted to ask which of these would you recommend when it comes to the cabin noise, ride quality and sound system quality. I look forward to your answer. Thanks for the great reviews and keep up the good work.
Find the red blinkers in the tail a bit of a turn off because they are not as visible as an amber colored counterpart in poor weather conditions. Also the LED clock sticks out like a sore thumb among the touch screen controls. Can't the clock be integrated into the radio!?
I would EASILY trade it in for the IM, you get more space/cargo room, far better looks, more fun and better handling all under the same reliable umbrella of the Toyota brand, easy choice.
Cool, i thought the middle portion of the dash was Hard-Plastic, i'm kind of wondering that although will be sold at Toyota dealers how many shipped per dealer? maybe not so very much, but that's my opinion.
How does this new "matrix" compare with the new Honda Fit in terms of driving dynamics. Yeah I know the Fit is really a smaller sub-compact, but folks will cross shop the two and I like the styling of the sides and back on this iM more.
This may be late, but would this be a good buy for a first time 22 year old guy? The price is very good for me, and it looks better (according to this review) than a Corolla.
+Naiar93 Better late than never. The hatchback iM is far more adaptable than the Corolla sedan. Over the life of the vehicle the hatchback versatility will pay off over and over again.
Hey Alex, would you happen to know why they opted out of putting keyless entry on this vehicle? I like this vehicle the best out of the entire Scion line up and I'm very interested in this vehicle for purchase later on, but was disappointed to not find keyless entry and push button start. Great review!
Johnson L Scion wasn't too clear on this at the time, but no it won't be standard, you can get it from the dealer after you buy the car for an undisclosed amount. I expect it will be a few hundred
Howdy Alex...great review!!! Bravo. Do you think that this iM will receive a sunroof option when it becomes a true Toyota model down the line, as Scion bites the dust as a brand, so to speak? Plus is it possible to have a power sunroof installed into this machine aftermarket? With a sunroof I'd definitely go with this machine for purchase. You didn't mention anything about steering feel, though. Is it numb like? Many thanks, mate! Peace...♐
I have driven quite a few 2014/2015 rental Corollas with the CVT and have gotten real world 42-44 mpg. Same engine, same CVT - why such a difference in fuel economy?
Hi Alex, how does this compare to the Nissan Versa Note? I would expect that this has better handling and acceleration, but what about rooms and fuel economy? Thanks
Great video!!!!!! Could have ditched the clock and add one more vent in its place, put the clock in the info dash area I bicycle a lot Mt.Bike seems like it would not fit inside ????????Thule and Yakima do not make a roof rack for it yet..... A turbo and front fog lights and a better exhaust tip would be nice......Wait Scion is now dead 2016 going to be badged a Toyota in 2017 .....Fog Lights please and rear roof wing is a option I like it .......Great car for the $$$$$$$$. Cheers😎
9:00 Nope, the other way round. CVT maks acceleration times significantly worse. The fact that it keeps the engine in optimum rpm range doesn't mean anythng because unlike in other transmissions, the engine isn't locked with the wheels. When it's not there's one more variable - transmission efficiency. Engine is no longer pullinng the car by itself (using sheer power to change rpm) but it stays at constant rpm and everything is down to transmission which accelerates your car by changing the ratio. And CVT wastes a lot of power during accelerating. It hates anything but driving at constant speed.
sic22l This is a common misconception, at Nissan's proving grounds they have identical vehicles with stepped autos and CVTs and the CVTs outperform the stepped autos in back to back testing. In addition it's easy to see the difference in real world driving, the CVT version of the iM is faster than the manual transmission and when in a mode that it does not imitate a stepped auto the acceleration times are lower. You can also see this at work in vehicles like the Altima which has a 3.5L V6 that produces less torque than direct competitors but has better acceleration numbers when compared to vehicles with similar power to weight ratios.
Alex on Autos I don't think that they make identical vehicles available with both CVT and regular automatic so they showed what they wanted to show. Compared to manual CVT usually makes 0-60 time singinifcantly worse than stepped auto. In real world driving, the iM with CVT transmission may feel faster simply because it's automatic and iM has naturally aspirated engine with not much torque - if you don't change gears good enough your car may seem slow. But I'm pretty sure manual iM will be faster in side by side acceleration test. About the Altima - BMW 528i weighs almost 400 lbs more, has 30 hp less, about the same torque (4 lb-ft more) and does 0-60 in about the same time with regular automatic. Not exactly a competitor but numbers are pretty impressive.
These were prototypes that were identical except for the transmission. On the Scion, the 0-60 times were verified with a 20Hz accelerometer. 0-30 times can be slower depending on the effective ratio of the starting "gear" but that depends on the transmission. The starting ratio in the Versa, Accord and the latest Subarus is quite competitive with modern 6-speed automatics. The 528i has the advantage of a turbo charged which gives a very broad torque curve and it has an 8-speed automatic with a very deep first gear.
***** Well, not very gifted driver would be slower with manual than old style regular automatic. Intant rpm? That makes niether sense nor difference. In most cases the engine can't reach top rpm before the car reaches around 60 mph. So if you want to accelerate hard while driving below 60mph, you won't get full performance. Instant rpm can't change one thing - that there's a delay between rpm and actual power transfer. That there's no direct connection, that' why CVT feels rubbery, you're never sure what kind of performance (and when) you can expect after pressing the gas pedal (which can be crucial for example while overtaking). Ifyou have sporty nature and you want to feel your car, lack of direct connection means that you can't feel anything with th CVT.
it's getting rare to find cars assembled in Japan these days, the iM is definitely on my list if I ever need to replace my Mazda5. Thank you for another detailed review, Alex.
jowowetan It is getting harder and harder to find cars assembled by people who make enough money to buy the car they are building. Tier 2 UAW members, southern-fried, right- to-work -for-less types and poor Mexicans earning just $2-3 per hour are predominating in North American manufacturing. South Asia and Eastern Europe look just about as grim . We need a modern day, enlightened fascist like Henry Ford to champion the principal that assembly workers should be able to afford new cars.
Hi Alex, is there any chance Toyota/Scion will refresh the xB? Seems like a refreshed version of that model would compete in the subcompact SUV market, which is a hot segment now.
Johnson L Oh, I just read that, too. Apparently the iM is the replacement for the xB. Too bad, I think they could have refreshed the xB to compete more with the Honda HR-V and cars in that segment.
Desperate4Attention Murtha denies that is the case. Did you hear that from another source that would be the case? I think it would be great if they did.Alex.....have you heard anything on this?
Sean Hennigan I read something months ago about the small CUV Scion will launch next. Considering that Toyota started the small CUV craze with the original, very compact RAV4 it does seem odd they don't compete in that segment now. The Daihatsu Terios sold in other markets would fit the bill but I suppose it won't meet North American crash standards.
My first impression before your review was this was another stale Scion design. My first words were this styling was right out of 2003. I still say this from the side. Mazda3 first did this 12 years ago. But now what you get for the price seems to be a good deal for a sub $20K car. I've been a hatch guy since I started driving in '88. Maybe finally the USA can see what's so cool about hatches!
Tenacity I will where applicable, right now there is only one production car with Android Auto, the new Sonata. There are more announced not none on sale.
i would like to see if you can do a car seat vid with the scion im ill be running a center car seat with a child on each side and our current vehicle is cramped in back to do this
Looks pretty well equipped. I also like the Euro-inspired handling (and the rear multi-link setup) and looks relative nice in my eyes. What I don't dig is the 1.8 2ZR-FE motor transplant from the Corolla. This should get the 2AR-FE 2.5 from the Scion tC & Camry. That would make this a blast to drive. Until then, I have hard time not comparing this as the 2016 Toyota Matrix (with better handling & more equipment).
Trades46 Why stop at the 2.5 engine from the TC? Surely Toyota has some surplus V10s from the Lexus LFA program gathering dust in a warehouse somewhere and they ought to bolt right in. Seriously, this is a pretty good deal and strikes a fair balance between fuel economy and performance. It is about time Toyota returned to independent rear suspension for all their budget priced offerings-I'm looking at you Corolla.
Kinetis Because the tC is a 2dr coupe. Not only does that make the rear-seats hard to access, it also gives a good excuse for insurance to gut you harder on premiums.
+David Ha Think the $ is the main reason some one may look at this. You could say one had Toyota reliability and one does not, but today, all cars seem relatively reliable. The VW has a relatively huge choice of trims and options, while it costs more VW interior are very good.
I have the feeling that the reason why the Scion iM is less efficient than the Corolla Eco, both of which share the same upgraded 1.8l engine, isn't because of some sort of engineering compromise but instead it was an intentional engineering change because Toyota didn't want the sales of this car to cannibalize those of the Corolla since this car handles better (though not class-leading), has a low base price with lots of standard features, more storage space, a better optional CVT transmission (at least from what I hear) and a slightly more powerful engine.
Forgot to factor in the curb weight and drag coefficient between the iM and the Corolla, but the additional mass shouldn't be enough to make such a big drop in the iM's efficiency and the drag coefficient should have virtually no effect since it is similar in both cars (provided that the sport kit on the euro-hatch made no effect on it's aerodynamics).
I'm genuinely surprised at the quality of this car with all that soft touch material. I noticed that he didn't mention the soft padding for the drivers knee.
Kangwei Tan The vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) clock seems to be a institution in the Toyota brand, it has appeared in almost every model they have made for decades now.
"and when it's in sport mode, it does feel more like a traditional automatic" -- Talk about damning it with faint praise. As for the Corolla, I remember when they were everywhere around. Now I don't think I have seen one on the road in months. Toyota neglected Corolla to death in the US. They should have just brought this Scion iM as a 2016 replacement for the Corolla and get it over with.
mountainhobo Uhhh...what? The Corolla is the best-selling compact car in America--and one of the best-selling cars overall (trailing only the Camry). Through June, it was on pace for almost 400,000 sales for the year. How is that "neglected to death"?
Todd P I checked the numbers, it appears you are right. I guess it depends on the region. I live in Silicon Valley, and I see far fewer Corollas than decades ago. In fact, I see a lot more Civics (order of magnitude) than Corollas. I do see lots of Camrys, though, seems like every fourth car on the road.
mountainhobo You guys know that car distribution varies greatly by city and region, right? I'm a truck driver, and I notice these things. In Akron Ohio where I live, it's all Chryslers. In Detroit you see tons of Ford Flexs, almost none elsewhere. I've only once seen a Prius V in the wild, I assume on the west coast they are everywhere. On the east coast, they buy a buttload of Suburus. I'm with Mountainhobo; Corollas are pretty rare per how many they sell. Ohio is special because they make Accords and Chevy Cruize here, so I see tons of them.
Just about perfect, except for standard LED headlights. If Toyota can make it standard on a $17K Corolla, then it shouldn't be that hard with the iM. But I'm guessing it's all about the parts supply chain.
I bought this car in 2016 my buddy has the Corolla with the led headlights. He actually likes my headlight pattern better with 55w HID bulbs in the halogen projector.
I like your videos, but if I could make a suggestion, don't put the links to the other videos in with so much time left during the review, they become very distracting and take away from the video
I bought this car back on February of 2020. 41k on the odometer. Car has good pick up, good pep and go, extremely comfortable. Drove from Massachusetts to Maine and not once did I get uncomfortable. Perfect road trip car, perfect daily commuter. I average between 30-40 mpg on a full tank depending on the weather. Cold weather, snow and icy roads gives me lower MPG however the car has handled like a champ in 7 inches of snow and never once have I gotten stuck; turn off the traction control, have decent tires and its given me nothing but confidence when driving through the heaviest of snow storms.
The car got ranked to be most reliable compact car of 2016. So I’m hoping to keep this car til the wheels fall off. It’s stylish, fun to drive, and I'm always getting positive compliments. Next to the 2nd gen XB, this is my most favorite car I’ve owned. This little car hauls alot for a little hatchback; I've camped out in the back with the rear seats folded and an full size air mattress blown snuggly up and I was able to fit my 6ft frame along with my gf on many overnight camping trips at the beach. Went on several road trips with a rear facing baby seat, a full size baby stroller, three adults at 6ft tall, and we all fit nicely in the car with no complaints.
I just don't understand why Toyota would make the new Corolla hatchback a little less practical by making the cargo area smaller compared to the IM. 20.8 cu ft vs 17.8 cu ft baffles me. I almost want the Corolla hatchback to be my next car when it comes time to get rid of my IM but the deal breaker is the smaller cargo area. Deleting the wheel that they are now offering is ok, however you lose out on the spare tire unlike with the IM, you still have that spare tire. Which the spare has saved my butt on a few occasions.
Have owned for past 6 years, very comfortable have gone from Massachusetts to Texas, New Orleans to Massachusetts, Massachusetts to South Carolina. Basically take it everywhere, it’s the best, I have a tablet with TH-cam in between the clock. The manual gives it a fun feel. Also a catback and any Intake mod, maybe some fog lights. Just fun. Has had zero issues. At sea level I average 40 mpg. All in all it’s just the best. Bough for 15k with 9k miles, today has 68k and is still worth 10-13k
Just purchased mine! I got a silver one manual transmission. I love the drive! lots of standard features and for a great price! I would recommend this vehicle!
This is a very comprehensive and accurate review of this vehicle. I've owned this exact car for one year. Getting between 33-34 mpg, it is quieter inside than both the Corolla and Camry, and it handles far better than both. The stereo is also quite good. 3 hour road trips are a breeze, comfortable and secure. If you drive the Corolla and the IM back to back, it's not even close, the IM is just a far better value/car.
Bought this 6 mths ago as a third car in the family. Absolutely awesome hatch and i find it very fun to drive. We just call it the Corolla in Australia.
Mine is fully loaded with led lights, leather seats, parking sensors, collision detection, cruise control, and body kit.
Roomy inside over current gen Corolla plus i think its design will hold up better over time. Port injection too.
I have to say it. I watch allot of reviews and when Alex Dykes reports on a car you get a fully comprehensive review of the car as a total package from interior packaging to engine, transmission and chassis specifics as expected but he also delivers great driving impressions, descript and vivid as automotive journalists in magazines write about driving.
Though I'm happy that there are separate videos for the detailed portions of infotainment systems and children's seats.
I find his cost computations regarding fuel economy and costs when comparing different engine options and his comparisons to other cars concerning maintenance cost to be useful, particularly when he tells you how long it would take to break even on costs. These are some of the most informative and consistent reviews on TH-cam.
Bruce Solomon Well said. Three cheers for Alex!!!
Desperate4Attention To Alex!
Bruce Solomon Yes watching other reviews on the same vehicle is generally a waste of time.
Except the conclusion that the CVT is faster is factually wrong and down right ridiculous. Only the newer Toyotas with launch gear CVTs get close a manual.
Just bought my own iM in white with less than 38,000m and let me tell you; I couldn’t be any happier! Love the mpg and folding mirrors haha🤪
Really good review. Never hear anyone talk about decibals when considering interior noise. Thank you.
Thanks for the review on the CVT. Everyone else refuses to acknowledge it like they always drive on winding rural roads with no traffic.
Kinetis Alex is wrong about the CVT. It makes the acceleration significantly slower.
sic22l How much slower? Do you have numbers?
Kinetis Depends on the car, 0-60 is at least 1 second slower, usually more.
sic22l So you are making a generic statement about all CVTs and not this specific comparison between this 6 speed and this CVT tuned to be more responsive when in sport mode. I'm not sure how you can say Alex is wrong when you don't have any numbers to back up your claim.
Kinetis In this car the CVT is about 1/2 a second faster to 60 than the manual transmission option.
Best car reviews on youtube. Period. Thanks Alex. I would definitely like to see car seat reviews in future.
Just bought the car yesterday and I love it.
Brandon Meuleman How do you like the car a year later?
How is it? I’ve seen some deals end of year. $15,500.
Is it worth buying ?
I drive a 2016 Scion iM (bought certified used). It's actually a surprisingly good car to drive, though I wished it had a bit more safety features. No wonder with steady sales of the iM (which became Toyota Corolla iM), they decided to bring over the Toyota Corolla Hatchback (aka. the current Toyota Auris) model.
Rahul, It handles almost as well as a Focus but the Mazda3 is better in most ways.
Alex on Autos Thank You !
+Alex on Autos Very clear, concise, and informative review on the #scion #iM. Awesome job and thank you for this!
+Alex on Autos The Mazda 3 is good for a year, then it turns into a squeaky unreliable mess. I'm trading a 2 year old 3 for this car in the next couple of weeks. Value and reliability are way more important than performance and comfort IMO.
+Alex on Autos Mazda is just now getting there rep up, the 1.8l is a good engine my dads 2009 corrola has 150k.
+LaughPlayLive Did you get the iM?
Your reviews are excellent! U helped me decide on buying this car.
Great review as always! I really love this iM, if there is option for sunroof that will be perfect!
the Sun roof would have been best
I am really impressed with the interior... it looks classier than the Corolla.
Buck Futter I know right? Tell that to DoubleD 613, who said the interior looked awful. I especially like the center stack. It definitely doesn't look cheap.
I really love your reviews. they are very helpful and informational for consumers
Thanks Alex. Finally a car I am willing to buy.
The 6-speed manual transmission is about a second quicker 0-60 than the CVT and with a TWM short shifter installed it feels fantastic and for less money then the CVT.
Very good review. Not putting down the Corolla, but I would prefer this Scion IM with a manual 6-speed transmission. Nice car.
I give you a 9 to 10 on reviewing this car really good my friend thanks this help a lot
Very well done. Excellent presentation. You covered all of the small details and that is appreciated. You made it easy for me to understand. Boy oh boy is the Red and White really nice color choices.
Welcome back scion Matrix
Thanks for this great Scion review Alex!
Nice video, looking to get a used one for 13k low miles seems good deal. Tires are 225/45 not 40 :)
I just pocked this up 2 hours ago. same exact color. last one on the lot and I got a substantial reduction... I just hope that scion disappearing won't hurt the residual value too much.
This vehicle will be continued as the 2017 Toyota Corolla iM. It's still got Toyota quality, just with a Scion badge. Personally, I think it's really cool that it's the first and last year for Scion iM, I just got one this week in Silver and I absolutely love it. I don't think you'll have to worry about Scion's disappearance effecting the value. :)
you should do a exclusive horn index where you do a 1 to 10 rating on how the horn sounds. or at least honk the horn in your review
Very nice review and video Sir!
It would be great to see how child seats fit in the iM. My wife and I have been thinking about upgrading from our Yaris hatchback and have been wishing Toyota sold the Corolla hatchback in Canada. This could be the answer.
+NimblyBimbly A gently used, made-in-Canada Matrix or Vibe could also be the answer.
Listened to both IA and IM - until you need the hatch, that manual IA seems sweet in terms of shifter, price and MPG.
Wow, I really dig your thoroughness on car reviews. I want to hate this car because of the same go-to 136+ Hp engine toyota always seems to use but you make a great case in the realm of value.
Initially thought this would be the spiritual successor to the Corolla XRS until I see that same old 1.8 engine in there.
oldtwins The iM looks great but that engine is MEH.
Alex, Thank you for your review ! As always, you give a very good perspective for vehicle handling. In my idea, Ford focus and Mazda 3 have the best handling and ride compromise. How do you think Scion IM handle in comparison to Mazda 3 or Ford focus titanium ?
the 2016 toyota matrix
anguy11 Towards the end Toyota had a heck of a time selling the Matrix with sales as low as 2,500 in its final year of 2013. This looks like a very good offering but let's see how many
Scion can sell in the 2016 model year.
Desperate4Attention I love my Matrix with AWD. I wish more people did
I feel the same way about my FWD Vibe.
anguy11 i think this iM is much more better than the Matrix.
It has more features but the fact it is about 4' shorter than the matrix will reduce the cargo space.
This looks like a very sensible option though we will have to wait for the "small overlap" test results to confirm that impression. Too bad they did not bring the
European wagon version as well .
Would you recommend this car over the Mazda 3 or Subaru crosstrek? Thanks
Hi Alex, I've fast become a fan of your reviews and thanks to you I have narrowed my choices for my next vehicle between the Honda Fit and the Scion iM. I have not test driven either of them because I don't plan to buy until late this year or early next year so I wanted to ask which of these would you recommend when it comes to the cabin noise, ride quality and sound system quality. I look forward to your answer. Thanks for the great reviews and keep up the good work.
James Guerrero I think I like the iM a hair more. I like the Fit but the iM is a great value giving you slightly more car for not much more cash
Find the red blinkers in the tail a bit of a turn off because they are not as visible as an amber colored counterpart in poor weather conditions. Also the LED clock sticks out like a sore thumb among the touch screen controls. Can't the clock be integrated into the radio!?
next, you should do mazda cx-3 review.
So I'm leasing a 2016 Corolla until 2018, should I keep my Corolla or trade it in for one of these?
I would EASILY trade it in for the IM, you get more space/cargo room, far better looks, more fun and better handling all under the same reliable umbrella of the Toyota brand, easy choice.
Hi Alex, any chance to review the new Mini 5 door?
Cool, i thought the middle portion of the dash was Hard-Plastic, i'm kind of wondering that although will be sold at Toyota dealers how many shipped per dealer? maybe not so very much, but that's my opinion.
Very well done review. I'll subscribe
Alex, please do the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander 7 seater v6.
Guys, this is the Toyota corolla hatch. In Aus we get the sedan and hatch both under the name plate Corolla (:
+Zandah Starick I think you will find this has a better suspension than the Australian version and it is cheaper.
+Zandah Starick I think you will find this has a better suspension than the Australian version and it is cheaper.
well they're obviously not the exact same car but in looks they are the same
You must be the first reporter to be positive about the CVT. :)
Good review. Subbed and debating one
How does this new "matrix" compare with the new Honda Fit in terms of driving dynamics. Yeah I know the Fit is really a smaller sub-compact, but folks will cross shop the two and I like the styling of the sides and back on this iM more.
This may be late, but would this be a good buy for a first time 22 year old guy? The price is very good for me, and it looks better (according to this review) than a Corolla.
+Naiar93 Better late than never. The hatchback iM is far more adaptable than the Corolla sedan. Over the life of the vehicle the hatchback versatility will pay off over and over again.
Hey Alex, would you happen to know why they opted out of putting keyless entry on this vehicle? I like this vehicle the best out of the entire Scion line up and I'm very interested in this vehicle for purchase later on, but was disappointed to not find keyless entry and push button start. Great review!
Only1DrewN They do that primarily to keep costs low. Toyota doesn't push that feature as much as some of the competition.
Alex
Is the navigation standard on this car?
I would rather get this iM over the Corolla S
Johnson L Scion wasn't too clear on this at the time, but no it won't be standard, you can get it from the dealer after you buy the car for an undisclosed amount. I expect it will be a few hundred
Alex on Autos Do you like this or the Honda Fit better?
***** This.
*****
It is standard on every scion like since 2015 model year
Howdy Alex...great review!!! Bravo. Do you think that this iM will receive a sunroof option when it becomes a true Toyota model down the line, as Scion bites the dust as a brand, so to speak? Plus is it possible to have a power sunroof installed into this machine aftermarket? With a sunroof I'd definitely go with this machine for purchase. You didn't mention anything about steering feel, though. Is it numb like? Many thanks, mate! Peace...♐
+AladdinSaneNYC At this point anything is possible
I have driven quite a few 2014/2015 rental Corollas with the CVT and have gotten real world 42-44 mpg. Same engine, same CVT - why such a difference in fuel economy?
tbird2006 Twisty B-roads?
very good infos all in 16 mins.
Hi Alex, how does this compare to the Nissan Versa Note? I would expect that this has better handling and acceleration, but what about rooms and fuel economy? Thanks
Is the 1.8 liter engine in this IM the same as the 1.8 liter engine in the Corolla?
I found a 2016 Scion Scion iM 5dr HB Man trans w/
155,849 miles for $7500 @ a dealership. Your take? ty
Great video!!!!!! Could have ditched the clock and add one more vent in its place, put the clock in the info dash area I bicycle a lot Mt.Bike seems like it would not fit inside ????????Thule and Yakima do not make a roof rack for it yet..... A turbo and front fog lights and a better exhaust tip would be nice......Wait Scion is now dead 2016 going to be badged a Toyota in 2017 .....Fog Lights please and rear roof wing is a option I like it .......Great car for the $$$$$$$$. Cheers😎
Thule now has a fit kit for the iM, I just purchased it for mine.
it's called the auris in north africa too
How is the Road Noise at 55mph? This always makes it or breaks it for me when I purchase a car.
very interested in how baby seats would fit in it! did you try?
Do you recommend I buy this or wait for new civic hatch?
9:00 Nope, the other way round. CVT maks acceleration times significantly worse. The fact that it keeps the engine in optimum rpm range doesn't mean anythng because unlike in other transmissions, the engine isn't locked with the wheels. When it's not there's one more variable - transmission efficiency. Engine is no longer pullinng the car by itself (using sheer power to
change rpm) but it stays at constant rpm and everything is down to transmission which accelerates your car by changing the ratio. And CVT wastes a lot of power during accelerating. It hates anything but driving at constant speed.
sic22l This is a common misconception, at Nissan's proving grounds they have identical vehicles with stepped autos and CVTs and the CVTs outperform the stepped autos in back to back testing. In addition it's easy to see the difference in real world driving, the CVT version of the iM is faster than the manual transmission and when in a mode that it does not imitate a stepped auto the acceleration times are lower. You can also see this at work in vehicles like the Altima which has a 3.5L V6 that produces less torque than direct competitors but has better acceleration numbers when compared to vehicles with similar power to weight ratios.
Alex on Autos I don't think that they make identical vehicles available with both CVT and regular automatic so they showed what they wanted to show. Compared to manual CVT usually makes 0-60 time singinifcantly worse than stepped auto. In real world driving, the iM with CVT transmission may feel faster simply because it's automatic and iM has naturally aspirated engine with not much torque - if you don't change gears good enough your car may seem slow. But I'm pretty sure manual iM will be faster in side by side acceleration test. About the Altima - BMW 528i weighs almost 400 lbs more, has 30 hp less, about the same torque (4 lb-ft more) and does 0-60 in about the same time with regular automatic. Not exactly a competitor but numbers are pretty impressive.
These were prototypes that were identical except for the transmission. On the Scion, the 0-60 times were verified with a 20Hz accelerometer. 0-30 times can be slower depending on the effective ratio of the starting "gear" but that depends on the transmission. The starting ratio in the Versa, Accord and the latest Subarus is quite competitive with modern 6-speed automatics. The 528i has the advantage of a turbo charged which gives a very broad torque curve and it has an 8-speed automatic with a very deep first gear.
***** Well, not very gifted driver would be slower with manual than old style regular automatic. Intant rpm? That makes niether sense nor difference. In most cases the engine can't reach top rpm before the car reaches around 60 mph. So if you want to accelerate hard while driving below 60mph, you won't get full performance. Instant rpm can't change one thing - that there's a delay between rpm and actual power transfer. That there's no direct connection, that' why CVT feels rubbery, you're never sure what kind of performance (and when) you can expect after pressing the gas pedal (which can be crucial for example while overtaking). Ifyou have sporty nature and you want to feel your car, lack of direct connection means that you can't feel anything with th CVT.
Alex, is the final assembly of this car in Japan? I found this car quite attractive.
jowowetan Yes, the IM is Japan, the iA is Mexico
Alex on Autos Alex, the only 'detail' you ever miss in your reviews is the country where the car was manufactured. Please work on that ;)
it's getting rare to find cars assembled in Japan these days, the iM is definitely on my list if I ever need to replace my Mazda5. Thank you for another detailed review, Alex.
jowowetan It is getting harder and harder to find cars assembled by people who make enough money to buy the car they are building. Tier 2 UAW members, southern-fried, right- to-work -for-less types and poor Mexicans earning just $2-3 per hour are predominating in North American manufacturing. South Asia and Eastern Europe look just about as grim . We need a modern day, enlightened fascist like Henry Ford to champion the principal that assembly workers should be able to afford new cars.
Alex on Autos Japan-made just like the tC.
I wish it came with push start and keyless entry
The Scion xB and Nissan Cube had to be discontinued, because the Kia Soul outsold them.
Does it have normal outlet to charge your phone?
Any luck getting one to see about child seat fitment?
Hi Alex, is there any chance Toyota/Scion will refresh the xB? Seems like a refreshed version of that model would compete in the subcompact SUV market, which is a hot segment now.
CJ VN the xB will be gone by the end of this year
Johnson L Oh, I just read that, too. Apparently the iM is the replacement for the xB. Too bad, I think they could have refreshed the xB to compete more with the Honda HR-V and cars in that segment.
CJ VN The Scion small CUV is on its way in the next year or so. The only question is whether it will be made by Toyota or Mazda.
Desperate4Attention Murtha denies that is the case. Did you hear that from another source that would be the case? I think it would be great if they did.Alex.....have you heard anything on this?
Sean Hennigan I read something months ago about the small CUV Scion will launch next. Considering that Toyota started the small CUV craze with the original, very compact RAV4 it does seem odd they don't compete in that segment now. The Daihatsu Terios sold in other markets would fit the bill but I suppose it won't meet North American crash standards.
My first impression before your review was this was another stale Scion design. My first words were this styling was right out of 2003. I still say this from the side. Mazda3 first did this 12 years ago. But now what you get for the price seems to be a good deal for a sub $20K car. I've been a hatch guy since I started driving in '88. Maybe finally the USA can see what's so cool about hatches!
Do they make trd parts for this vehicle?
You can get the air filter, air intake system, and oil cap trd add-ons.
Scion IM vs Honda Fit?
Would you recommend the Base Soul, or the iM?
What are the little square in front bumper for??
its a tow hook
Alex; will you mention "Android Auto" compatibility in your reviews going forward?
Tenacity I will where applicable, right now there is only one production car with Android Auto, the new Sonata. There are more announced not none on sale.
Alex on Autos Seems to be a logical answer to a question no manufacture really has addressed well enough by far.
i would like to see if you can do a car seat vid with the scion im ill be running a center car seat with a child on each side and our current vehicle is cramped in back to do this
So you can't add fog lights on the IM??
Alex, I know a Swede discovered the halogens, but you don't have to go full Volvo every time you pronounce it. Halogen!
Is this car sporty in anyway?
Corolla and Scion has the same horsepower right?
Looks pretty well equipped. I also like the Euro-inspired handling (and the rear multi-link setup) and looks relative nice in my eyes.
What I don't dig is the 1.8 2ZR-FE motor transplant from the Corolla. This should get the 2AR-FE 2.5 from the Scion tC & Camry. That would make this a blast to drive. Until then, I have hard time not comparing this as the 2016 Toyota Matrix (with better handling & more equipment).
Trades46 Why stop at the 2.5 engine from the TC? Surely Toyota has some surplus V10s from the Lexus LFA program gathering dust in a warehouse somewhere and they ought to bolt right in. Seriously, this is a pretty good deal and strikes a fair balance between fuel economy and performance. It is about time Toyota returned to independent rear suspension for all their budget priced offerings-I'm looking at you Corolla.
Desperate4Attention
You are desperate all right. I'll play along :)
Why not jusy buy a tC if you want the larger engine.
Kinetis
Because the tC is a 2dr coupe. Not only does that make the rear-seats hard to access, it also gives a good excuse for insurance to gut you harder on premiums.
The dear, departed Matrix was classified as a wagon by insurance companies which kept insurance rates cheaper.
Question, why would anyone pick the Scion iM instead of the VW Golf?
+David Ha Think the $ is the main reason some one may look at this. You could say one had Toyota reliability and one does not, but today, all cars seem relatively reliable. The VW has a relatively huge choice of trims and options, while it costs more VW interior are very good.
Imagine this car with a manual transmission and rwd? The new hachiroku!
+smithsfan425 It can't be RWD. The platform isn't designed for it.
+ChooChooTrain02 keyword: "imagine"
No cd player?
HEY ALEX,PLEASE REVIEW SUBARU IMPREZA HATCHBACK 2015!!!!!!!! THANKS! GREETINGS FROM NEW YORK!!
Was hoping they'd bring the corolla hatchback to America.
Considering the Toyota IM when I sell my VW tdi back to VW.
rework the front end and drop in a 2.0. Then Toyota might have something worth while. That front end alone would be a game changer
is the cargo cover removable?
Yes
I have the feeling that the reason why the Scion iM is less efficient than the Corolla Eco, both of which share the same upgraded 1.8l engine, isn't because of some sort of engineering compromise but instead it was an intentional engineering change because Toyota didn't want the sales of this car to cannibalize those of the Corolla since this car handles better (though not class-leading), has a low base price with lots of standard features, more storage space, a better optional CVT transmission (at least from what I hear) and a slightly more powerful engine.
Forgot to factor in the curb weight and drag coefficient between the iM and the Corolla, but the additional mass shouldn't be enough to make such a big drop in the iM's efficiency and the drag coefficient should have virtually no effect since it is similar in both cars (provided that the sport kit on the euro-hatch made no effect on it's aerodynamics).
+chiassonchiasson Logic wins the day.
Does the I'm offer push button ignition
iM auto correct
The IM does not offer a push button start.
patriot3431 Yeah I know I checked after. Thanks anyways
HEY ALEX,PLEASE REVIEW SUBARU IMPREZA HATCHBACK!!!!!!!! THANKS! GREETINGS FROM NEW YORK!!
Mr. Alex
Isn't this a Matrix? Re-badged?
+Michael C. Way more than a rebadge. A rebadge is like the Scion iA to the Mazda 2 not sold in the US.
I'm genuinely surprised at the quality of this car with all that soft touch material. I noticed that he didn't mention the soft padding for the drivers knee.
Is this based on any Mazda's?
Native722 No, this is basically a rebadged Toyota Auris sold in Europe. Here in Europe the Auris is more expensive than the Corolla.
Kossak It's not more expensive, Auris=Corolla hatchback and Corolla sedan are priced equally.
Digital clock, haven't see this kinda digital clock for a very long time.
Kangwei Tan The vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) clock seems to be a institution in the Toyota brand, it has appeared in almost every model they have made for decades now.
Kangwei Tan I betcha that clock is the exact same part number as the clock in my 1990 Toyota truck! Cheesy.
"and when it's in sport mode, it does feel more like a traditional automatic" -- Talk about damning it with faint praise. As for the Corolla, I remember when they were everywhere around. Now I don't think I have seen one on the road in months. Toyota neglected Corolla to death in the US. They should have just brought this Scion iM as a 2016 replacement for the Corolla and get it over with.
mountainhobo Uhhh...what? The Corolla is the best-selling compact car in America--and one of the best-selling cars overall (trailing only the Camry). Through June, it was on pace for almost 400,000 sales for the year. How is that "neglected to death"?
Todd P thousands in my city. THOUSANDS of '14s or newer. This is going to sell well.
Todd P I checked the numbers, it appears you are right. I guess it depends on the region. I live in Silicon Valley, and I see far fewer Corollas than decades ago. In fact, I see a lot more Civics (order of magnitude) than Corollas. I do see lots of Camrys, though, seems like every fourth car on the road.
mountainhobo You guys know that car distribution varies greatly by city and region, right? I'm a truck driver, and I notice these things. In Akron Ohio where I live, it's all Chryslers. In Detroit you see tons of Ford Flexs, almost none elsewhere. I've only once seen a Prius V in the wild, I assume on the west coast they are everywhere. On the east coast, they buy a buttload of Suburus. I'm with Mountainhobo; Corollas are pretty rare per how many they sell. Ohio is special because they make Accords and Chevy Cruize here, so I see tons of them.
Todd P You sorted that out very politely by internet standards.
Just about perfect, except for standard LED headlights. If Toyota can make it standard on a $17K Corolla, then it shouldn't be that hard with the iM. But I'm guessing it's all about the parts supply chain.
mx5hong I think LEDs in a Corolla was a one-off.
I bought this car in 2016 my buddy has the Corolla with the led headlights. He actually likes my headlight pattern better with 55w HID bulbs in the halogen projector.
excellent and professional review....but please talk a little slower cos you speak so fast ..thanks
I like your videos, but if I could make a suggestion, don't put the links to the other videos in with so much time left during the review, they become very distracting and take away from the video
+Treizez34 Thanks for the feedback, the crazy youtube consultants keep claiming that longer is better. Hmmm.