Scion has decided the demographic it is desperate to attract to is in need of an inspirational sports sedan, and the 2016 Scion iA is the result. Mouth of a guppy, mechanics of a Mazda, and price tag of something several years old and with at least one other owners name on the title, the iA is not lacking in ambition, certainly, and neither has it spared the specification sheet.
The 2016 Scion iA is a great little car, but there are two things we are all going to have to get over in regard to the new subcompact. First, Scion rebadged a Mazda 2 to bring the iA to life. And second it is awkward nose. The iA is, after all, merely the sedan version of the sassy Mazda 2, which until just last month was expected to arrive in U.S. Mazda dealerships by the beginning of 2016 in handsome hatchback form. But Mazda has decided to pull the plug on the 2 for the U.S. and Canadian markets at least in the near term—the car had already received EPA fuel economy estimates and everything apparently to focus on its more profitable models.
Functioning And Designing
The 2016 iA is powered by a Mazda 1.5-liter in-line four-cylinder engine making 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque. It’s a different engine than the one of the same size that powers the current Toyota Yaris, and it combines direct injection with a high 12.0 1 compression ratio. It’s linked to a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic. EPA fuel economy is estimated at 31 mpg city, 41 highway for the manual version of 33/42 mpg with the automatic. The iA only weighs around 2,400 pounds, which makes it one of the lightest sedans in this class; and the new, stronger structure help bring a good combination of safety, ride quality, and handling.
The Scion iA is sized very closely to the sedan versions of the Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Sonic, Kia Rio, and Nissan Versa, among others. The overall length for the iA is about 172 inches, with a width of 66.7 inches, height of 58.5 inches, and it’s built on a 101.2-inch wheelbase the same as the new Mazda CX-3 and upcoming Mazda 2, which may or may not be sold in the U.S. The back seat can be cramped for adults, but the situation is better for the driver, who has a height-adjustable seat.
The split folding 60/40 rear seat-backs fold flat, and connects to a generously sized trunk. Front seats adjust fore and aft ten inches. All iA models include steering-wheel controls and voice recognition for audio and phone functions.
Equipment
Safety equipment in the iA includes a full roster of airbags, including front and rear side-curtain bags, and a low speed pre collision system uses a laser sensor to warn the driver of potential collisions. All iA models also include a rear-view camera. Since this is an all-new model and structure, it may be some time before we see a complete set of crash test ratings for the iA.
Conclusion
Pricing is highly competitive, and the mono-spec iA will cost $15,700 with the manual transmission and $16,800 with the automatic. Customization and personalization options in lieu of options have been a part of the Scion purchase experience from the start. And you can be sure there will be plenty of appearance add-ons, as well as perhaps some performance upgrades, on offer.
The 2016 Scion iA arrives at dealerships on September 1.