2016 Scion iA
09/15/2015
Shahed Hussain
Scion's vehicle range expands with the introduction of the iA subcompact sedan. Based on the new Mazda2, no longer sold in the US, the iA becomes the entry level vehicle in Scion's model lineup. To minimize cross-shopping with the Toyota Yaris hatchback, the Scion iA is only available as a 4-door sedan. Other cars in this segment include the Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Sonic, and Nissan Versa.
In this highly contested market, customers are value-driven, so Scion set pricing at a competitive $15,700 for an iA (6-speed manual), or $16,800 (6-speed automatic), plus a $795 delivery fee. Standard content includes a rearview camera, 7-inch touchscreen display, 16-inch diameter alloy wheels, climate control, remote keyless entry, cruise control, power windows & locks, pushbutton start, Bluetooth phone & audio, 6-speaker audio system, and dual USB ports.
The iA is powered by a Mazda-sourced 1.5L dual overhead-cam inline-4. Direct injection and a 12:1 compression ratio yield 106-bhp @ 6,000 RPM and 103 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 RPM. Equipped with the manual gearbox, fuel consumption is 31/41 MPG (city/hwy.) or 33/42 MPG (city/hwy.) for the automatic. A taller (0.59:1 vs. 0.645:1) sixth gear and axle ratio (3.824:1 vs. 4.105:1) in the automatic gearbox are responsible for its higher EPA fuel economy rating. Curb weight is 2,385 lbs. (manual) or 2,416 lbs. (automatic).
As with other subcompacts, the iA rides on a MacPherson strut front suspension and stabilizer bar. At the rear is a torsion beam semi-independent setup with coil springs and dampers. Steering is via an electrically-assisted rack-and-pinion system with 2.84 turns lock-to-lock. Front vented discs with 10.2-in. diameter rotors are accompanied by 7.9 in. diameter rear drums. Alloy 16-in. diameter wheels are shod with 185/60R16 all-season tires. ABS, traction control, and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) are standard. A low-speed pre-collision system uses a laser sensor to apply brakes to slow the vehicle as it approaches an object ahead.
Entry-level sedan interiors are often awash in hard plastic panels, but the Scion iA does have a partly padded dashboard. Overall materials and build quality are exceptional at this price point, and the satin metallic accents on the vents, center console, and steering wheel look expensive. We did miss a leather-wrapped steering wheel, although iA's molded plastic rim is better than expected. The front seats are covered in an attractive blue and gray two-tone textured fabric. The driver's seat has 6-way manual adjustments, and has decent thigh and torso bolsters. The touchscreen above the dashboard shows navigation and audio data, along with the rearview camera display. Despite its position on the dash, the screen is remarkably glare-free in full daylight. During our July press preview, the air conditioning struggled to cool the interior at low speeds, even at an ambient temperature around 85 deg. F. Cruising on the highway, the A/C system had no difficulty maintaining the desired temperature.
As we expected, with only 106-bhp and 103 lb.-ft. of torque available, the iA is not especially quick. Acceleration below 3,000 RPM is leisurely, so we tried to shift near the 4,000 RPM torque peak whenever possible. Above 4,000 RPM, the inline-4 starts becoming buzzy as engine vibrations intrude into the cabin. The 6-speed manual gearbox has progressive clutch engagement and a short-throw shifter, but most customers will likely opt for the automatic transmission which has both sport and manual shift modes. We recommend the manual gearbox to extract the most performance, but the automatic does a decent job working with the iA's 1.5L inline-4.
Sharp handling is usually missing from subcompact sedans, but the chassis engineers endowed the iA with accurate steering with decent road feedback. The iA feels solid and composed on the highway, but patched and pitted roads can upset the rear axle. Moderate body roll and mild understeer allowed us to have some fun around curves, especially with the manual gearbox-equipped iA.
As Scion's first subcompact sedan, the iA is an affordable choice for the first-time new car customer. An extensive standard equipment list and the iA's excellent build quality stand out from its more sparsely equipped competition. As a bonus, the iA is actually enjoyable to drive, so enthusiasts on a budget should certainly add this Scion to their shopping list.
