2016 Scion iA: First Look

April 1, 2015

Competes with: Ford Fiesta, Nissan Versa, Kia Rio
Looks like: The next-generation Mazda2
Drivetrains: 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder; six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions
Hits dealerships: Fall 2015
Price: Scion says it’ll start around $16,000

Toyota’s youth-oriented brand hasn’t exactly achieved cool-kid status. Scion’s sales have been lackluster, but the automaker is hoping a new sedan — its first — will give the brand a boost in popularity. The 2016 iA debuts at the 2015 New York International Auto Show with sporty styling, a host of standard safety features and an affordable base price.

Exterior

Scion’s first-ever sedan should look a little familiar. The subcompact iA shares the new 2016 Mazda2’s platform; the iA even imitates the Mazda’s shark-nose face.

In profile, the sedan doesn’t stand out, but its face changes that. The iA’s huge hexagonal lower grille and angular headlights are striking. A piano-black bumper and plenty of chrome trim dress it up; it rides on standard 16-inch wheels.

Interior

Inside, the Mazda theme continues with a dashboard-mounted multimedia screen front and center. Scion says the new sedan’s cabin wears premium chrome accents and soft-touch trim and surfaces.

Standard features include Bluetooth streaming audio and connectivity, keyless entry with push-button start, two USB ports and a 7-inch touch-screen multimedia system with voice recognition and app integration. In back, there’s a standard 60/40-split folding backseat; navigation is optional.

Under the Hood

The sole engine is a 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder. It pairs with a standard six-speed manual or available six-speed automatic transmission. With the automatic, a Sport mode is available for “greater torque feel,” the automaker said in a statement. Scion estimates fuel economy at 33/42/37 mpg city/highway/combined.

Safety

The iA will have a standard safety feature that’s a unique inclusion for an affordable, entry-level sedan: a precollision system that uses a laser sensor and alerts the driver to an impending low-speed crash and automatically applies the brakes. A backup camera is also standard.