The game has changed for Scion. The brand is only 12 years old, but I can’t decide if that’s longer or shorter than it seems. Things have been a little moribund for a while, as the fancy xB has aged into obsolescence and Kia and others have been winning the hearts of Scion’s target market. Additionally Scion is now selling to drivers for whom there has always been a Scion brand on the road.
What does all of that have to do with the cars? Well, it means that Scion, long an opponent of catering to expectations, can finally send the xB to the parking lot outside that glowstick rave in the sky. The box is gone, and it’s replaced by a wedge. The iM steps in for 2016 as Scion’s anchor vehicle. A compact 5-door, the iM aims to be the do-all of the family.
Say goodbye to the box, and hello to the wedge. It doesn’t look it at first glance, but the iM is sized like the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, VW Golf, and Mazda3. It looks smaller, thanks to a low roof and wide stance. This little wedge (which, if you’re familiar with foreign-market Toyotas, is based directly on the Auris) is designed for versatility. It’s got a handsome face and a generic-ish tail with angry LED lighting.
The grille is piano-black rather than chrome, contributing to its sporty, aggressive look. The 17-inch wheels are standard also. At a glance, you might mistake it for a Nissan Versa Note with shades of the Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix. The iM’s stylish, but it blends nicely into the existing herd—unless it’s painted Spring Green Metallic.
