Scion Prices the iA and iM

2016 Scion iM (Credit: © Scion)

The iA sedan and the iM hatchback are the newest additions to the Scion lineup. Unlike Scion’s last new model, the FR-S, these two cars focus more on delivering the highest fuel economy than exhilarating performance. Today, Scion announced pricing for the iA and iM, giving us a clearer look as to whether these two models can actually compete in their respective markets or not.

The iM, which is clearly the more desired model of the pair, starts out at $18,460 with the manual transmission and $19,200 with the CVTi-S. For this cash, you get a 1.8-liter engine that produces 137 horsepower, a 60/40 fold-down rear seat, a 7-inch Pioneer Display Audio head unit, a rearview camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 4.2-inch color TFT multi-information display, dual-zone auto climate control, power-folding side-view mirrors, and hill-start assist.

While it may not be powerful, for the money, the iM is well equipped and it gets great fuel economy. EPA estimates put the manual-equipped model at 27 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, while the CVTi-S model gets 28 mpg city and 37 mpg highway.

2016 Scion iA (Credit: © Scion)

The iA, which is essentially the same as the latest-generation Mazda2 with a trunk in place of its hatch, starts out at $15,700 with the six-speed manual transmission and rises to $16,800 for the six-speed auto. In the standard iA, you get a 1.5-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder engine with 106 horsepower, keyless entry, push-button start, a low-speed pre-collision system, a rearview camera, a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia system, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power mirrors, and a 60/40 split rear seat.

Like the iM, the iA isn’t quick by any stretch of the imagination, but its six-speed manual transmission is a slick Mazda unit, it’s well equipped for its price, and it gets up to 41 mpg with the manual transmission or 42 mpg with the auto.

When I first saw the MSRP for the iM and iA, I was a little put off, but now that I see all of the standard features they come with and the relatively high fuel-economy numbers, I can see the value in them. The problem is getting buyers to see the value in buying a Scion.

We’ll find out soon enough if buyers see the value or not, as both models will hit Scion dealers on September 1, 2015.