Once upon a time, Toyota had a compact hatchback that brought incredible value. Initially launched as the Scion iM, the Toyota Corolla iM offered substantial value for a starting price of less than $20,000. Although it only came in one spec and didn’t have any additional options or crazy tech, this stylish hatchback had the basics down. Moreover, the Corolla iM gave you a level of refinement you’d expect out of a larger vehicle like the Camry. With that said, let’s take a look back and see why the iM was such a compelling choice in its class.
Toyota Corolla iM: Sporty Looks Meet Generous Appointments
Toyota distinguished the iM through sporty design with an angular and aggressive front fascia. This perfectly complements the rear, which has a rear diffuser and a single chrome-finished exhaust tip. Furthermore, the iM also had an accessory roof spoiler for a bit of sporty flair.
Inside, Toyota kept it simple with a clean interior and conventional gauges. Materials felt nicer than expected, and the cabin has reasonable sound deadening. At least the iM had supportive front sport seats and usable rear seats, allowing it to fit four comfortably. Additionally, the car came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control for added convenience. Moreover, it had a reasonably sized trunk that you can expand via the 60/40 split-folding rear seats.
On the other hand, the tech didn’t wow, but what do you expect for a sub $20,000 price tag in the late 2010s? The iM had a 7-inch touchscreen with dated graphics and slow response times, even for those times. No, it did not include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, since it arrived during an era when Toyota refused to add smartphone integration. You needed to opt for a dealer-installed onboard navigation system instead. It worked fine, but it was far from high-tech.
Additionally, the six-speaker Pioneer audio system sounded fine for the price, so don’t expect an immersive listening experience. It also came with Toyota Safety Sense C later in its production cycle, adding automatic high beams, lane departure warning, and front automatic emergency braking as standard. Unfortunately, the iM never got any optional features or packages after it moved to the Toyota brand with the demise of Scion. As a result, it lacked features like blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, heated seats, and power front seat controls.
Smooth and Agile
The Corolla iM’s bones gave it unexpected moves on the road. Unlike the Corolla sedan of that generation, the hatchback has a control arm rear suspension instead of a torsion beam. That’s right, the iM came with an expensive suspension that resulted in an incredibly smooth ride, even over broken pavement. It handled well, too. The Corolla iM gleefully tackled corners, elevating driver confidence. The steering, while light, also felt plenty accurate and appropriate for this vehicle.
Unfortunately, the iM fell short in the power department. It used the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder found in the Corolla Eco sedan of that generation. As a result, it only had 137 hp and 126 lb-ft of torque, meaning acceleration is glacial. When equipped with the CVT, it simulated gear shifts in Sport mode, but didn’t quite feel lively. The six-speed manual worked better, giving you more control of its meager output. However, the throws, while accurate, veered towards the long end, and the clutch had a high engagement point that took some time to get used to. Getting up a hill required a downshift or two in the manual. In the auto models, the CVT wailed loudly as it did god’s work to get the most out of the engine’s meager output.
The Corolla To Get Back Then
In a way, the Toyota Corolla iM was the most desirable member of that previous generation Corolla family. It struck the ideal balance between ride comfort and agility. A pleasant daily driver that had a bit of verve when you throw it into a corner. Although it’s slow, the iM countered the lack of speed with respectable fuel economy. The EPA rated it at 27/35/30 mpg city/highway/combined with the manual or 28/36/31 mpg with a CVT.
While not an enthusiast model, the Corolla iM stood out because of how much value it brought to the table. Yes, it lacked features, but for the price point, this compact hatchback gave you plenty. However, Toyota gave it sophisticated mechanical components to counter that. As a result, you got a pleasant and reasonably equipped compact hatchback at a surprisingly attainable price point.
The iM showed how to properly do affordable transportation. Even though it didn’t quite match class leaders of that time like the Mazda3 and Honda Civic, the Corolla iM wasn’t far off. It was an unappreciated entry in the compact car segment. One that gave you a lot of bang for your buck, especially for under $20,000.
