Even though the market for hatchbacks keeps on changing, Scion is confident the new iM will be a heavy hitter for them. One of the main reasons for this level of confidence is the fact that the iM comes in the Scion way which is a mono-spec sales plan meaning it comes as is with only dealer installed upgrades offered for the vehicle. By doing this Scion is able to undercut many of the other automakers with their hatchbacks including the Ford Focus, Kia Forte5 and Mazda3 which all are typically around $23,000 which will be more than $3,000 above the new iM.
The new iM is not a sluggish hatchback either. It may not be quite a hot hatch, but this little offering can handle corners and turns with ease giving you the confidence to enter and exit each turn at whatever speed you desire. This is the result of a chassis and suspension that fully complement each other , allowing for a dynamic ride. Throw in the actively responsive steering and the fantastic and quiet cabin and you enjoy a great ride in a place that can feel like you are not even part of the rest of crowd as you enjoy the music of your choice.
As a lower priced model, and using the mono-spec philosophy the Scion iM comes powered by only one engine which is a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine that brings in 137 horsepower and 126 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is attached to either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission. The CVT simulates a seven-speed sequence of shifting which also offers a sport setting that gives a quicker throttle response. This engine gives you very nice fuel mileage of 27 city/36 hwy mpg for the manual and 28 city/37 hwy mpg in the automatic.
At the price of this car you might not expect to have a lot of features, but the iM offers dual zone climate control, eight airbags, automatic headlight controls, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED running lights and taillights, a 4.2-inch driver information display, a rearview camera, a six-speaker Pioneer audio system with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port. This makes for a generous list of great features to enjoy in this nice new hatchback.
As mentioned, the mono-spec packaging limits this car a lot. The only options offered are the transmission choices, exterior color choices, a navigation system and any dealer installed accessories that might be available. For this great menu of features you start the pricing just above $19,000 for the manual and can add the automatic and stay under $20,000 making this one of the best hatchback values on the market.
The interior of the iM is comfortable and functional, which is exactly what you want in this car. All controls are easy to find and use so you won’t be fidgeting while driving trying to figure out where the climate controls or audio controls are. The seats are all comfortable and the rear legroom is enough to allow your friends to ride along, giving you a vehicle that can be a lot of fun to take on a cruise to the lake or head out for an evening on the town.
On the outside the iM looks amazing with a long and low hood and large front lower grill. the hold angles seamlessly to the roofline and back as it transitions well to the rear which offers unique and attractively designed taillights. The exhaust port is even integrated into the rear body giving it a full and finished style. This blend of design offers you a car that is attractive and serious in nature to be an expected great driving machine.
When you are looking for great hatchback, consider the Scion iM as your choice. Whether it’s for you as a young professional just starting out or as a person who needs lots of fuel efficiency in their vehicle. This car also makes a great choice for a student heading off to college as it has all the features and elements most college students want such as versatility and the ability to be a car that is easy on the wallet.
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