A couple of years ago, a sub-$20,000 car with an emergency braking mitigation system, a 7-inch color touchscreen, a high-resolution back-up camera and a push-button start function would have been nearly unthinkable. These were all fancy options associated with near-luxury vehicles.
Now comes Scion's new sub-$17,000 (to start) iA sedan which - incredibly - has all those features and more.
Our tester this week is a 2016 Abyss blue iA sedan with automatic transmission from Capital Toyota/Scion on Lee Highway provided by David Hicks, sales manager. The Capital dealership is highlighting the brand-new iA this week, along with Scion's other new car, the bigger and pricier iM hatchback, which starts at $20,500.
At the iA's price point you'd expect basic transportation and not much more. The fact that Scion is offering upscale features and Mazda mechanicals at this price makes it a compelling package. It competes in the same segment as the Chevrolet Sonic and the Ford Fiesta.
Although badged as a Scion, the iA is built in partnership with the Japanese carmaker Mazda and shares components with the subcompact Mazda2, which hasn't yet made it to American shores. (And may not for awhile.)
Fast facts
› Model: 2016 Scion iA › Exterior color: Abyss (dark blue) › Interior color: Blue and black › Engine: 1.5-liter, four cylinder › Horsepower: 106 › Transmission: six-speed automatic › Fuel economy: 42 mpg highway, 33 mpg city › Dealer: Capital Toyota/Scion › Price (as tested): $17,595
Mark KennedyThe Scion shares many of the handling virtues of Mazda's small sedans, which is a way of saying it's surprisingly enjoyable to drive.
It's also economical, boasting a fuel economy rating of 42 miles per gallon highway and 33 mpg city - almost hybrid territory.
STYLING AND COMFORT
Following the lead of its corporate siblings Toyota and Lexus, the Scion has a highly stylized nose, or fascia, that includes a piano-black insert and a chrome surround. This design looks especially good on dark colors, like our dark blue tester. Classy, 16-inch, split-spoke alloy wheels are standard. A tilting, telescoping steering wheel is also standard.
Aft of the front bumper, the iA begins to look like a smaller Mazda3. The Mazda styling cues are apparent from the iA's trapezoidal side mirrors to it's gently arched profile and wrap-around taillights. Inside, the similarities continue. Most notably, there's a 7-inch touch screen that rises from the middle of the dash giving the iA a sleek, contemporary vibe.
Because it doesn't have to absorb the telematics screen, the dash is smoothly horizontal, which improves forward visibility and results in a clean, uncluttered look. A beefy, three-spoke steering wheel has a small diameter and begs to be gripped purposefully. The instrument cluster is simple and features a large speedometer flanked by an unobtrusive digital tachometer and fuel gauge.
The fabric-covered seats in our tester are black with blue stitching, a nice compliment to the exterior color. The bolstered front buckets hug your body, beckoning you to head to one of our twisty, Chattanooga-area back roads. Rear seat legroom is modest but serviceable.
The iA is powered by a surprisingly zesty 1.5-liter four cylinder engine, which makes 106 horsepower and powers the subcompact from zero to 60 mph in about 9.1 seconds. Our tester includes a smooth, six-speed automatic transmission, although a manual gearbox is standard.
Safety features are highlighted by six airbags and an emergency braking system that applies additional pressure if the car senses you aren't stopping fast enough.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
On our test drive on Lee Highway and Highway 153, the iA impressed us with its nimble steering, ample acceleration and quiet ride. It's a mannerly commuter car with enough interior comfort to make it road-trip friendly.
The four-cylinder engine, although not extremely powerful, has enough torque to move you through traffic without straining. High-speed freeway merging does require some concentration.
Typically, subcompacts are plagued with lots of cabin noise, but the iA is quiet for the class, with a minimum of wind noise and no noticeable squeaks or rattles. Frankly, it feels like a solid little car. Scion's reputation for durability bodes well for resale values.
BOTTOM LINE
Promising low monthly payments and two years of free maintenance, the iA is a compelling package for car buyers who don't need a lot of interior space.
It strikes me as a perfect little car for a college bound student who needs sturdy, economical transportation for a stretch of years. Our tester has a sticker price of $17,595 which includes automatic transmission and destination charges.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOL UMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.