2016 Scion iM: First Drive

What is it? A five-door compact hatchback

Price range: $18,460 (manual), $19,200 (automatic)

Competitors: Hyundai Elantra, Mazda3, Volkswagen Golf

Alternatives: Ford Focus, Subaru Impreza

Pros: It’s a great value, a somewhat sporty, handsome looking hatch, with a sophisticated cabin, plenty of cargo room and stellar handling for not a lot of money.

Cons: Lacks the get-up-and-go of its peers. And thus, was just not as fun to drive.

Would I buy it with my money? I’m on the fence here. The iM is a solid value in the compact category, but I would prefer a zippier machine with more style.

Scion wants its mojo back. In 2003, Toyota’s hip, trendy and youth-oriented marquee was the new kid on the block. Within three years, it was a legit player in the compact car arena, selling more than 173,000 units with only three models – the xA, xB and tC – in its stable.

Ever since that plateau, however, the wee brand has been on a steady decline, struggling to connect with buyers. Last year, for example, the brand sold only a smidge over 58,000 vehicles in the United States, and that’s with a five-car lineup.

What happened? Toyota allowed Scion’s product to get stale and moldy. In so doing, it alienated demanding young buyers — those who are typically unwilling to compromise on things like efficiency, looks, performance, and especially the latest technology — that the company was conceived to attract in the first place.

To get its game back before turning into another Saturn, Scion is planning to put fresh metal in dealerships. On September 1, the four-door 2016 iA, Scion’s first ever sedan, and the vehicle we are examining here, the 2016 Scion iM, will hit the streets all across the country.

But did automaker go far enough to recapture the hearts, minds and wallets of todays first-time car buyers?

The iM began life as a Toyota Auris, a Corolla-based vehicle available in Europe and Japan. Scion gave it a more aggressive look, including an edgier front fascia with Piano Black accents and LED running lights. The car’s sporting intent is further reinforced with a shapelier body kit. The differences between the Toyota and Scion are minimal; regardless, the vehicle remains a looker from any angle, just like the Auris. It just won’t stand out from the crowd.

The interior is unmistakably Toyota. It looks great with plenty of soft-touch surfaces and superb fit and finish for this class. Standard fare is generous, as there are no factory options, at least not for the interior. Spacious is not an adjective that I’d use to describe the iM’s cabin, but it’s not confining either. The seats are comfortable, and leg and head room is sufficient, even in the backseat.

Powering the iM is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine, the same found in the Corolla Eco model, featuring continuously variable valve timing and lift. More powerful than anything in the Auris line, it develops 137 hp and 126 pound-feet of torque, and comes mated to either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission that’s equipped with a custom-tuned Sport mode that quickens throttle response and enhances the “sporty nature of the electric power steering,” whatever that means. The CVT also has a manual setting with seven imaginary gears.

On the road, the iM doesn’t present much of a threat to the perky Mazda 3 or fun-to-drive VW Golf in terms of overall performance. Feedback from the road is a bit lacking. However, it handles tight switchbacks and sweeping turns with equal aplomb.

The iM is quite miserly at the pumps, too. It’s rated to deliver 27 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway for the manual model and 28 city/37highway mpg for the CVT, two mpg better than the Corolla Eco. While these figures are good, they are not class leading. And given the power ratings of other hot hatches, such as the 155-hp Mazda 3, the 160-hp Ford Focus, and 170-hp VW Golf, the Scion should be better.

As with all Scions, the 2016 iM will be offered in one trim. However, an array of dealer-installed options, such as a navigation upgrade for the infotainment system and an interior lighting kit, are available. A TRD package, complete with lowering springs, anti-roll bars, and an air filter, will also be offered by dealers.

Bottomline: The sporty five-door hatchback is an impressive machine considering its sub $20,000 price tag. It features some of the best balance between sport and comfort handling, and a relatively comprehensive feature set. Yes, it’s comparative lack of power just doesn’t blow our brains like some of the Euro-styled hatches on the market. But it does mark a step in the right direction for a company trying to get back on track.