Scion iA

Toyota’s youth-oriented division is facing a situation very well-known by actors and singers. Although Scion debuted with great values, and stayed loyal to them for years, people never granted it a satisfying financial return. Since abandoning the market is not an option, the last resort is to put its ideals away for a moment and cater to whatever the market is willing to buy. For the aforementioned artists, it means starring in a romantic comedy or releasing a Greatest Hits album. For the North-American company, in turn, the answer is selling models like the subcompact sedan to which this article is dedicated.

Mazda is going through a great moment in North America right now. Whether for its attractive design language, fuel-efficient engines or reasonable prices, it has released from the sporty MX-5 Miata to the elegant 6 with big success. In order to keep things like that, it decided that the 2 will only be profitable there as a hatchback. Scion, in turn, is going through a bitter moment in North America right now. Whether for its lack of a design language, mediocre fuel efficiency or unimpressive prices, it has released from the sporty FR-S to the ex-quirky xB with lukewarm success. In order to change things, it decided that it’s necessary to offer new models, as soon and cheaply as possible. Since Mazda and Toyota were already working out some production deals…

That’s right. The only way to buy Mazda2 with more trunk space in North America will be going to a Scion dealer. But this case wasn’t exactly quid pro quo. Scion used a small facelift to make it more similar to its other products, but it’s hard to give compliments. The upper grille is too thin even to decorate, while the main one would still look big on a Lexus GX. As if this wasn’t enough, the bumper gives them a three-dimensional effect which just protrudes them even more. The worst part is that the maker even sprung for new headlights, which are usually too expensive for this purpose, but the overall result still looks heavy and weird. Besides that, there are new wheels, and the tail lights received a new color treatment with some sections in gray.

Everything else remained unchanged, so most of the 2’s qualities are still here. The interior, for instance, will have many standard equipments: there are A/C, backup camera, cruise control, forward-collision warning, keyless entry, push-button ignition, and an infotainment system with Mazda’s knob interface. As you’ve already figured, the sedan will remind you of its original manufacturer in everything else, from the body panels to the instrument cluster. More qualities implied by this include the mechanics, which repeat the original suspensions and the tuning of the electric steering. Mazda’s latest cars have been known for great handling, among other qualities, so Scion’s very first sedan should be more exciting to drive than competitors such as Nissan Versa.

Following this train of thought, it won’t be surprising to see a Skyactiv engine under iA’s hood. The four-cylinder 1.5 might use a different name here, but it still features direct injection and a 12:1 compression ratio, which is more than enough to deliver 106 hp and 103 lb-ft. It’ll always come with six speeds, whether manual or automatic, but in this case you’re looking for fuel economy: speaking of average numbers between the two transmissions (they don’t vary much), the weight of 2,400 pounds helps it to make estimated 32 mpg in the city and 41.5 mpg in the highway. Just like the other mainstream model Scion released during this year’s New York Auto Show, the iM hatchback, iA will come in a single trim level (plus accessories) with an initial price of US$ 16,000.