At first glance, the Scion iM may not seem like a new idea, really; not a new idea from Scion, anyway. Scion has been noted for taking aim at younger car buyers, leading to funky, boxy silhouettes (the xB) and Smart Fortwo-like microcars (the iQ). Then there's the tC, which has been burning rubber in the flat-brim world of the professional drift racing circuit for years. Most recently came the FR-S, which is probably the most grown-up of all these, if only because it takes so much of its inspiration from a car that was originally bought by the fathers of those who were buying the cars at the top of the paragraph.
So, a sporty-looking five-door hatch is a natural fit, right? Well, I'm not so sure. Until the iM, Scion really didn't have anything in this segment. So, this is actually new, uncharted territory for Scion. (Overall score: 7.4)
Walkaround
It's not, however, uncharted territory for parent company Toyota. More specifically, in a properly backwards way, it's not uncharted territory for Scion's Lexus cousin, either; it's hard not to see a little CT 200h in the iM's profile.
As far as Toyota's concerned, the iM is a replacement for the hot selling Matrix hatch, which bowed out after the 2014 model year. It's got some pretty big shoes to fill, then.
If you like your mini people-mover flashy, the iM has the Matrix beat, hands-down. Just look at the front and rear fender extensions Or the two-tone wheels. Or the squinting headlamp lenses; Scion went all out with this car's exterior design, and, to be perfectly honest, I like it.
Granted, it may be a little much for some—especially those who really loved the ultra-conservative styling of the Matrix, if that's possible—but these days, as so many cars are so good, styling is becoming evermore important. (Score: 7.9)
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Interior
It's not so brash inside, though, which could help assuage the reservations of those put off by the exterior. There are stylistic flourishes here and there; the massive door pulls that bisect the whole door card, for example. Or the blue-lit gauges. Otherwise, it's a mix of purposeful, straight edges and broad surfaces.
It is roomy, though. Front seat occupants should have no concern thanks to seats that adjust three ways for the driver, and two for the passenger. However, it's all done manually as power seats aren't an option.
As far as rear passengers go, there's a little less room than in a Mazda3 Sport—a car Scion lists as one of the main competitors for the iM—but we're talking a few millimetres, so it's nothing I take too much issue with. Plus, the iM's overall shorter length gives it a better stance than the 3. The iM also has more cargo capacity behind the rear seats than the 3: I folded the rear seats and managed to fit an adult-sized hockey bag—filled with adult-sized goalie gear—inside without too much trouble. (Score: 6.8)
Tech
The thing about Scion is that they don't really do trim packages, so the tech you see at base is pretty much what you're going to get. In that light, the iM includes a seven-inch touchscreen display with Aha internet radio, Bluetooth, six speakers and steering wheel controls.
That's good stuff, but the omission of even the option for heated seats is a shortcoming that many Canadian buyers are going to have a tough time with.
If you want navigation, there are two routes: you can go the manufacturer installed route, which will run you $1,088, or the dealer-installed route, which adds about another $100 to that total. (Score: 7.5)
Driving
The only "option" you can really get with your iM is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT); it'll run you $825, and it's great if most of your driving is at slow 'round town speeds, not so great if you plan on spending more time on the highway.
In that environment, it just takes longer than I would have liked to reach proper overtaking speeds, the 137-horsepower, 126 lb.-ft. engine having trouble getting on-board with the CVT. There is a manual-shift feature, and while it does more than other transmissions of this ilk, it's not a perfect solution. My advice? I'd seriously consider sticking with the manual, and save yourself a few bucks.
Having said that, the benefit of a CVT is that you get smooth progress from start, and it doesn't feel like the engine has to wind itself up as much to get you going. It also helps with fuel economy; we saw 8.4L/100 km during our time with the car, most of which was spent in the city environment it's made for. I have no problem with that.
I'm also a fan of the car's handling, which does well to make the little Scion hatch cut a confident swathe through traffic thanks to some properly-assisted steering that's also surprisingly direct. And while the suspension tuning does well to help the body keep up with quick steering inputs, the dampers are such that you won't be rattling your fillings over everyday bumps. The powertrain does leave something to be desired, but there's no doubt the iM has learned from its sporty FR-S sibling a thing or two about how a car should handle. (Score: 6.8)
Value
The best part about the iM when it comes to a value proposition is Scion's sales model makes the buying process so much easier. There's less for buyers to get hung up on; you've got colour, automatic or manual transmission, and that's about it.
Yes, there are dealer-installed accessories like navigation to think about, but stuff like protective side mouldings and bumper protectors really are just icing on the cake. Otherwise, you're looking at just over $21,000 for a well-equipped, good-looking car; a similarly-equipped Mazda3 Sport, for example, will run you just over 22 grand… (Score: 8.3)
Conclusion
… which, of course, is not a huge amount of coin for a new car, even at the compact hatchback level.
So, if you are going to consider the Scion, then those funky looks, go-fast wheels and quality interior are going to have to be big selling points. Especially if the iM is going to topple the compact hatch behemoth that is the Mazda3.
Give it a shot, though. It's worth it.
Autofocus.ca is a Canadian automotive website dedicated to making car shopping easier and driving more fun. Follow Autofocus on Facebook and Twitter.
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