Props to Toyota.
The new 2017 Corolla IM hatchback includes fancy safety tech features – such as brake assist and lane departure alert – that are expensive options on vehicles costing $10,000 more.
Economy car customers can do the happy dance knowing that – finally – they can purchase a safety-first vehicle. Toyota deserves tons of credit for leading the pack in making safety a priority in all its autos, regardless of price.
Our Electric Storm Blue tester crests the $20,000 barrier, but just by $589. With the IM, a former Scion vehicle re-badged as a Corolla hatch, Toyota is experimenting with one-size-fits-all pricing. The few options to be had on the Corolla IM include automatic transmission, floor mats and navigation.
The Corolla IM is a four-door, five-passenger compact hatchback that fills a niche once occupied by the Toyota Matrix. It comes packed with upscale features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen and dual climate controls.
