I never knew that you reviewed my car having watched many of your videos. I own the manual, which I bought new. I love the iM for its low price and many standard features: power folding mirrors, sporty 17 inch wheels with wider tires than other cars in this segment, dual zone climate control, automatic headlights, led DRL's front and rear, sporty and functional interior with the back seats folded down. All this for $20k. The iM is a great buy for a used, fuel efficient car. I find the iM to be comfortable on long road trips, and with the stick, fun on twisty back roads. Thanks
Great car i bought one in August 2016 Love it put a Curt Enterprises Class 1 hitch on it to haul my bicycles with a Saris rack,too bad no AWD like the Vibe and Matrix had!!! But I'll keep my i M.........Matt
Glad to see the Auris finally made it to our shores. Scion brand seems a little lost tho. We'll see if the one model one price thing works. Corollas come in all sorts of varieties over at Toyota. The iM has that basic goodness Corolla is famous for.
"iM would be just as appealing and useful with a Toyota badge." Well, now that happened. Now it'll be called the Corolla iM, although it should be called Matrix.
Hi Tom, I love your car reviews for the Times. keep up the great work. I am a proud Scion iM owner. The Scion iM may yet become the Toyota Matrix as I've read at cnet.com's RoadShow that Toyota has thrown in the towel for the Scion Brand (a bit odd timing as given the two new car intro's. BUT, I. LOVE. MY. CAR!! And, I have the 6-speed transmission, which makes an otherwise frumpy CVT, a more enjoyable to drive. Yes, it's not the greatest with imprecise shifts and longer throws, but the ride is super comfortable and I've spun the wheels at stop signs. I LOVE all the amenities: the automatic (and LED) lights, the folding mirrors, dual-zone climate control and Pioneer system. I love that it's mono spec too--no boring base models like other brands. I like the look of the BIG 17 inch rims WITH run-flat tires. How much do you need to spend for the Mazda3 with the 18th wheels? the Mazda3--don't get me wrong, a great car but costs more to be optioned out. The model with 16 inch alloys has tire side walls as tall as the QUEEN MARY 2? Puh-lease. Base Golf? Just means you couldn't get the car you really wanted: the GTI (or the Gold R ;-). Ford Focus? What do the gentlemen with Talking Cars with Consumer Reports on TH-cam have to say about Ford's reliability record these days. Elantra? On par or better. Honda? No hatch yet. In short, I dislike the armchair iM naysayers. BTW, at heart, its a Toyota. So I'll see you all at 200,000 miles!
Pontiac vibe?/ Toyota matrix? no it went over my head Tom. and I don't know why I love your review so much but I really do. looking forward to the next one. lastly Tom. I know your show is driven reviews but can you considering doing auto shows? your personality would be awesome covering those new cars. just a thought. looking forward to the next video. cheers.
+ray britton Auto shows are out of the question. For one thing, I shoot these reviews and doing that solo would make it difficult. Second, when you see auto show coverage, you're looking at an army of people working together. I tried doing the LA show years ago and found if you don't have crews lined up 4-5 reveals ahead, there's no way to get shots. It's probably worse now. I appreciate your confidence in me though!
Thanks for doing this review. iM sure it helped someone looking for a good hatchback. This review had a good Vibe to it. One thing iM curious about, will there be an AWD package?
Hi. Vibe owner here. I immediately understood it. From the perspective of owning a stylish, practical, and reliable hatchback, IM is a disappointment. Sure it's great, and there's nothing particularly wrong with it, but it's the same basic package you could buy in 2003. My Vibe offers nothing that the Scion IM doesn't, IRS notwithstanding as the Vibe AWDs and 09/10 GTs had IRS. That and Vibe/Matrix could be had with the 180hp 2ZZ-GE engine and six-speed manual, making the IM a step down in some cases. Even when you consider the 09+ Vibe/Matrices with the 150hp 2.4L engine.
I agree... Why does Toyota insist on selling a Toyota hatch with a scion badge... I've been dying for an updated Matrix... But styling... Isn't my thing... Also heard that this is the reincarnation of a Mazda 2? Anyone else hear that reference? Great reviews! I get a Corolla.... Vibe too! Ha puns are awesome!
Hey Tom! Not sure why Scion does not give different powertrain options or better equipment to justify the different brand. Otherwise, don't really see the point. The exception being the FR-S...I mean BRZ...SMH
I have one, I hate the cvt mimicking gears, I mean what's the point? it's slowing the car and its fake! no gears there old guys, are you happy now? cvt is about fast acceleration and saving gas, I wish if someone know how to reprogram my cvt to work like it should.
I'm a normal sized guy at 165 lbs and 5' 11", but I found the seat bolsters to be WAY too aggressive for this car to be comfortable. After 25 minutes I was aching to get out of this. The seat aggression and stiff ride combined with numb steering and an awful engine not and CVT drone with the automatic made this car feel... torn.
+bg1379 Hmmm, I'm just a skosh shorter and lighter than you and liked the bolstering. That said, I can understand that some buyers won't like the aggressiveness of it.
Hmm... A Toyota hatchback under a different brand's badge with a slightly cooler style... I'm getting weird Vibes that I've heard of something like this before...
I love everything about this car aside from the engine. Seats give great support, steering is accurate, suspension is good, especially in corners, touch screen is quick. Toyota Safety Sence package is great. Theres not a whole lot you can do with a 137 baseline... and this car looks so agressive, you're a ricer if u mod one thing. Such a waste of a car putting that little underpowered engine in there...😥
The first Matrix was great, especially the XRS. The second was lame. The iM is the worst in terms of luggage space and versatility. And yes, it is a Toyota now. RIP Scion.
I never knew that you reviewed my car having watched many of your videos. I own the manual, which I bought new. I love the iM for its low price and many standard features: power folding mirrors, sporty 17 inch wheels with wider tires than other cars in this segment, dual zone climate control, automatic headlights, led DRL's front and rear, sporty and functional interior with the back seats folded down. All this for $20k. The iM is a great buy for a used, fuel efficient car. I find the iM to be comfortable on long road trips, and with the stick, fun on twisty back roads. Thanks
0:14 I just caught your first pun "I [M] talking about hatchbacks"
nevermind it was revealed a few seconds later lol
Great car i bought one in August 2016 Love it put a Curt Enterprises Class 1 hitch on it to haul my bicycles with a Saris rack,too bad no AWD like the Vibe and Matrix had!!! But I'll keep my i M.........Matt
Glad to see the Auris finally made it to our shores. Scion brand seems a little lost tho. We'll see if the one model one price thing works. Corollas come in all sorts of varieties over at Toyota. The iM has that basic goodness Corolla is famous for.
I really like this car... it would be a good second car.
"iM would be just as appealing and useful with a Toyota badge."
Well, now that happened. Now it'll be called the Corolla iM, although it should be called Matrix.
This should be the way car options should be. One price. Loaded. Period! Cars now a days have to many option packages
With the Scion brand gone next model year, Toyota will call this iM, Corolla iM. Creative.
Hi Tom, I love your car reviews for the Times. keep up the great work. I am a proud Scion iM owner. The Scion iM may yet become the Toyota Matrix as I've read at cnet.com's RoadShow that Toyota has thrown in the towel for the Scion Brand (a bit odd timing as given the two new car intro's. BUT, I. LOVE. MY. CAR!! And, I have the 6-speed transmission, which makes an otherwise frumpy CVT, a more enjoyable to drive. Yes, it's not the greatest with imprecise shifts and longer throws, but the ride is super comfortable and I've spun the wheels at stop signs. I LOVE all the amenities: the automatic (and LED) lights, the folding mirrors, dual-zone climate control and Pioneer system. I love that it's mono spec too--no boring base models like other brands. I like the look of the BIG 17 inch rims WITH run-flat tires. How much do you need to spend for the Mazda3 with the 18th wheels? the Mazda3--don't get me wrong, a great car but costs more to be optioned out. The model with 16 inch alloys has tire side walls as tall as the QUEEN MARY 2? Puh-lease. Base Golf? Just means you couldn't get the car you really wanted: the GTI (or the Gold R ;-). Ford Focus? What do the gentlemen with Talking Cars with Consumer Reports on TH-cam have to say about Ford's reliability record these days. Elantra? On par or better. Honda? No hatch yet. In short, I dislike the armchair iM naysayers. BTW, at heart, its a Toyota. So I'll see you all at 200,000 miles!
Yes, the Matrix fraternal twin, the Pontiac Vibe. BTW, Toyote sold a right handed version of the Vibe as the Toyota Voltz back in Japan.
+Xray Mind Yup, and I always thought the Vibe/Voltz was the better looking of the two.
+Driven Car Reviews The 1st gen Vibe was very handsome looking to me. The 2nd gen Vibe looked a 6th gen Sentra hatchback, if Nissan had made one.
+Xray Mind Agreed. The back end was kind of wonky.
Rarely has my purchase decision of an 05 Vibe felt more validated.
Pontiac vibe?/ Toyota matrix? no it went over my head Tom. and I don't know why I love your review so much but I really do. looking forward to the next one.
lastly Tom. I know your show is driven reviews but can you considering doing auto shows? your personality would be awesome covering those new cars. just a thought. looking forward to the next video. cheers.
+ray britton Auto shows are out of the question. For one thing, I shoot these reviews and doing that solo would make it difficult. Second, when you see auto show coverage, you're looking at an army of people working together. I tried doing the LA show years ago and found if you don't have crews lined up 4-5 reveals ahead, there's no way to get shots. It's probably worse now.
I appreciate your confidence in me though!
+Driven Car Reviews haha understood. keep up the good work.
Thanks for doing this review. iM sure it helped someone looking for a good hatchback. This review had a good Vibe to it. One thing iM curious about, will there be an AWD package?
What's an assessory? Do you mean accessory?
Never heard be called a corolla hatch, what region is that?
I wish they had an option for a powertrain with a little more go to it. 9 seconds is pretty slow. Overall iM looks to be a nice package though.
I honestly wouldn't mind having one of these
Pontiac Vibe / Toyota Matrix are twins in case any of you did not know this fact.
+scterka Thanks for clarifying that, apparently many didn't know that.
Scion did well, by not slapping the mouth gape grill so common across all Toyota makes.
Hi. Vibe owner here. I immediately understood it. From the perspective of owning a stylish, practical, and reliable hatchback, IM is a disappointment. Sure it's great, and there's nothing particularly wrong with it, but it's the same basic package you could buy in 2003. My Vibe offers nothing that the Scion IM doesn't, IRS notwithstanding as the Vibe AWDs and 09/10 GTs had IRS. That and Vibe/Matrix could be had with the 180hp 2ZZ-GE engine and six-speed manual, making the IM a step down in some cases. Even when you consider the 09+ Vibe/Matrices with the 150hp 2.4L engine.
Great points.
I agree... Why does Toyota insist on selling a Toyota hatch with a scion badge... I've been dying for an updated Matrix... But styling... Isn't my thing... Also heard that this is the reincarnation of a Mazda 2? Anyone else hear that reference?
Great reviews! I get a Corolla.... Vibe too! Ha puns are awesome!
Hey Tom! Not sure why Scion does not give different powertrain options or better equipment to justify the different brand. Otherwise, don't really see the point. The exception being the FR-S...I mean BRZ...SMH
So many puns!!! Ahahah. Awesome review as always! :)
Hatchbacks only rule when King wagon is not around.
Great car we have the Corolla SX and ZR that are better specked but the cost difference is Big!
Good review.
I have one, I hate the cvt mimicking gears, I mean what's the point? it's slowing the car and its fake! no gears there old guys, are you happy now? cvt is about fast acceleration and saving gas, I wish if someone know how to reprogram my cvt to work like it should.
pontiac vibe?
+Khalil Cora A kind of clone of the Matrix. Different body but same interior and architecture.
Ok now I see the resemblance.
Yeah that's nice for gas milage but....XRS model will probably give this hatch a lot more needed excitement.
I'm a normal sized guy at 165 lbs and 5' 11", but I found the seat bolsters to be WAY too aggressive for this car to be comfortable. After 25 minutes I was aching to get out of this. The seat aggression and stiff ride combined with numb steering and an awful engine not and CVT drone with the automatic made this car feel... torn.
+bg1379 Hmmm, I'm just a skosh shorter and lighter than you and liked the bolstering. That said, I can understand that some buyers won't like the aggressiveness of it.
Meh. It's got a 4-cylinder that you have to rev it's nuts off to make any power. Needs a turbo for low rpm grunt. The 200t perhaps?
Hmm... A Toyota hatchback under a different brand's badge with a slightly cooler style... I'm getting weird Vibes that I've heard of something like this before...
Not a bad little car for the money really.
I love everything about this car aside from the engine. Seats give great support, steering is accurate, suspension is good, especially in corners, touch screen is quick. Toyota Safety Sence package is great. Theres not a whole lot you can do with a 137 baseline... and this car looks so agressive, you're a ricer if u mod one thing. Such a waste of a car putting that little underpowered engine in there...😥
that interior tho
If it drives similarly to my old Matrix, I'll pass. Mazda 3 hatch is still a benchmark in this category.
+digitandariel It drives better (my nephew has a Matrix) but the Mazda still wins for driving hands down.
I want to see a GTI 2016 review.
shhh - it's a Toyota that you can get for a lot less just because it does not have the Toyota badge - great buy for a used car 😊👍
The first Matrix was great, especially the XRS. The second was lame. The iM is the worst in terms of luggage space and versatility. And yes, it is a Toyota now. RIP Scion.
No reason to choose this over any of it's competitors imo.
+Dest Droid
Or it's competitors over this, what's your point?
Scion needs to die...it's a waste of everything. Just rebadge them all as Toyota's
well now it will have a Toyota badge
+Rafael Valentin Maybe they'll rename it Matrix...
Have a feeling they'll call it the corolla hatch
Cough cough, Elantra GT and Impreza Hatch
+Tyler Baugh To my defense it is going away soon (the Elantra). Got me on the Subie though.
+Driven Car Reviews Don't forget Chevy Sonic as well. But that would be a class below. Perhaps the Sonic would compare to a Scion iA.
+Denis Lara Yup, that's what I get for being lazy
+Driven Car Reviews How could you have forgotten the Subie, Seattle guy?
+MBAMG65 I hang my head in shame...
God a Toyota Corolla auris rebadged lol