All-new 2016 Scion iA - $16k starting price with the 6-speed MT offers a 31/41/35 mpgUS city/highway/combined rating. The 6-speed AT is rated at 33/42/37 mpgUS city/highway/combined.
While the Toyota Yaris sales continues to languish thanks in part to a drivetrain and interior that has barely been updated in a decade, Scion expanded its line-up with the addition of its first-ever sedan based on the all-new upcoming Yaris that will be called the iA.
The new Scion will arrive in dealerships this fall with a beginning $16,000 MSRP price for the base trim and a stick that also includes a standard Low-speed Pre-collision safety system and 7-inch display audio system.
The company stated they will be using their “No haggle Pure Price” strategy, future owners will pay the same price they saw posted in the dealership or on the Scion website. With far larger and far better equipped 2015 Elantra’s being sold for less brand new, this is just one hurdle the struggling Toyota brand will have to overcome.
A high-strength body structure loaded with Toyota’s passive and active safety hardware is almost guaranteed to provide better crash test ratings than the current Yaris.
Scion iA Exterior
Up front deep hood feature lines curve inward to meet the top of the huge trapezoidal grille surrounded by a chrome grille surround. A piano black bumper and nice looking tear drop wrap around lenses define the iA. A second slightly less accentuated hood feature line slopes up over the wheel cutouts and then down as it rolls across the profile as a disappearing character line into the rear door.
A second rising character line beginning within the rear door pincers the rear handle between the two and rolls up over the large teardrop rear wraparound lenses. 16” alloys complete the side view.
Out back, the trunk lid gently rolls off into a large central Scion chrome badge. A chrome tailpipe completes the exterior.
Altogether the iA crosses an Elantra and Sentra to create a much better looking small sedan than the current Canadian Yaris sedan which this vehicle will replace up north as the all-new Yaris sedan.
Scion iA Interior
Moving inside, the hard IP appears to have carried over but with updated interior refinement and some soft-touch added. A ruler flat horizontal chrome trim piece and dimensional cutout separates the upper and lower dash. A non-movable Mazda like 7” chrome trimmed central display actually looks upscale. It is controlled by a Command Controller like knob within the central console.
An upscale dual contrasting stitched band just below the upper and lower dash separation is truly refreshing to see in a B-segment offering.
A single chrome ringed speedo greets the driver with two small display areas to the sides for standard vehicle indications. A push-button start resides to the direct left of the instrument binnacle. Typical well designed Toyota stalks are also used. HVAC controls appear more modern and are bordered on each side by a faux carbon fiber like plastic.
The standard tilt/telescopic wheel is a cheap plastic unit that incorporates Mazda like audio, Bluetooth, CC and voice command control toggles.
Dual color seat materials and the same single contrast stitch as the dual stitched dash element adds to its more upscale appearance. A 10:” track should help accommodate taller drivers despite the short lower seat cushion and just 85.6 cu. ft. of passenger volume. A standard 60/40 split rear seat back completes the interior.
Given the Scion iA will be built within the new Mazda2 plant in Mexico, is it any wonder it has so many Mazda features and looks? Thank goodness too!
Scion iA Drivetain
Under the hood, an updated direct-injected 106 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque 1.5L I4 that appears on the surface to be the current buzzy Yaris 1.5L other than direct injection. The peak power and torque even come at the same RPMs according to the specs! A 12.0:1 CR helps thermodynamic efficiency which in turn improves fuel economy. The big change however is that instead of being mated to the ancient 4-speed AT or 5-speed MT, the iA will receive a modern low friction short throw 6-speed MT or 6-speed AT. The ratios have been spread somewhat as the RPM@60 mph calculations show 2,234 and 2,165 RPMs for the MT/AT respectively.
With a 42 mpg highway rating, the iA has to be more aerodynamic and the drivetrain has to be much more efficient than the current Yaris’ 30/36 mpg city/highway rating. To best the 33/41 rating of the Fit there must have been a lot of extra engineering done to bring it from a bottom dweller to best in class.
The 6-speed AT is equipped with a Sport Mode switch that changes shift points and possibly tip in creating a more responsive vehicle. The current Yaris’ throttle tip-in was already aggressive so it will be interesting to feel this one when it arrives.
Scion iA Infotainment
The standard 7-in. Display Audio system has a touch screen, 6 speakers, remote interface and rear-view camera. Pandora, Aha and Stitcher are also standard. The iA has two USB ports and an Auxiliary input. An available navigation system is also offered through Scion dealers but I am not sure what it will consist of. Anything from the dealer sounds like a Garmin or TomTom add on for three or four times the price that you can buy a similar unit albeit not as integrated directly. We will have to wait and see.
Scion iA Safety
A high-strength steel structure forms the foundation of the Scion iA. Front, side and side curtains handle the passive safety.
A segment first is a standard Low-speed Pre-collision system that uses a laser sensor to help the driver avoid collisions and to help minimize damage in the event of an accident. A rear view back-up camera is also standard.
A lot of refinement has been incorporated from the interior/exterior design to a lot of work completed on the drivetrain. All should help move the Scion brand forward with the only problem being the locked price. Nobody pays MSRP and especially MSRP for a B-segment.
2016 Scion iA Preview
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