WASHINGTON — If you haven’t heard yet, the Scion brand will be folded back into its parent company Toyota this summer. So if you want the no-hassle buying experience that Scion is famous for, you better get a move on it. The little Scion iA will get a Toyota badge, so the car isn’t really going away and that’s a good thing because it’s a fine subcompact sedan.
Usually, driving a subcompact sedan is pretty much a forgettable affair, but this little car isn’t really a Toyota or Scion, but a Mazda under the standout front-end design. That engine gives it life, and it handles well for a subcompact sedan — one of the best I’ve driven in this class.
The ride is good for a commuter car. Most bumps are no biggie, and it’s not loud on the road: Just a bit of wind noise and a touch of road noise creep in. The small, 1.5L four-cylinder engine is good for 106 hp, and you can choose a manual or the six-speed automatic like my tester. I’ve driven both transmissions. The manual feels like the quicker ride, but the automatic did fine and will suit most buyers.
This isn’t going to win many stop-light races, but it never feels underpowered because it’s light. You do need to mash the pedal to get moving. Gas mileage with the automatic is 33 mpg city/42 mpg highway and 37 mpg combined. I managed 38.7 mpg of mixed driving more than 300 miles.
The Scion iA stands out in front-end styling. It’s a unique look, for sure, with what some call a fish-mouth look: Reaction to the front end was split. The rest of the car looks normal. Small, 16-inch alloy wheels are standard and a nice touch for the class.
One surprise for the $17,570 price tag is a high-quality interior with some soft-touch materials, which is also unusual for the subcompact class. The seats are comfortable for me, but those taller rear-seat passengers might wish for a bit more leg room on longer trips. There are three seat belts in the rear, but they would be better suited to smaller people.
Up front, the 7-inch touch screen display and standard rear-view camera are nice to have. Not paying any extra for these is a bonus. Bluetooth is standard and apps help connect to some other streaming services. A push-button start and keyless entry are also good features. There is even a Low-Speed Pre-Collision system for use below 17 mph, which is nice in the city: It helps stop the car if it senses trouble.
The Scion iA, soon to be a Toyota, is a pleasant surprise in the subcompact sedan market with good fuel economy and a fun-to-drive package that’s easy on your wallet. If you’re in the market for an economical ride that doesn’t feel like a penalty box, take a look at iA – you can’t miss it.