Standard features on every 2016 Scion iM include a 4.2-inch TFT display, heated power-folding side mirrors, LED daytime running lights and taillights, a rearview camera, 17-inch alloys, and a six-speaker Pioneer audio system that sounds great for its class. The 7-inch touchscreen's graphics were clear, but it isn't the most modern unit out there. The available $900 dealer-installed navigation system is responsive and user-friendly, and it's worth the extra charge. Controls for the infotainment system are relatively easy but could use some dedicated controls for navigation and entertainment rather than lumping everything together in the media button. Interior build quality is good for the class; the iM has plenty of soft-touch plastics throughout the cabin. Hard plastics are present in places that aren't touch points, such as the lower part of the dash and doors.

The iM has generous passenger space, with plenty of head- and legroom up front and in the back, even for tall adults. The front seats in particular have generous side bolstering and good back support, even for mildly enthusiastic driving. In a pinch, a fifth passenger can fit in the rear center position, and the lack of a central hump in the second row means more legroom for occupants in the back. An expansive windshield and nicely sized side windows provide good visibility and keep the cabin from feeling claustrophobic. Rear visibility suffers, however, because of the small rear window and rear-seat headrests that block the driver's view out the back.

Behind the 2016 iM's split-folding rear seats is 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space, a tad more than in the Mazda3 hatch but less than in the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus hatch. With the second row up, a large check-in roller bag will easily fit, but one of the rear seatbacks need to be folded to accommodate more cargo.

Starting at $19,255 with a six-speed manual transmission and $19,995 for the CVT, the iM is priced to deliver maximum bang for your buck. The hatch is more interesting to drive than a Nissan Sentra or Hyundai Elantra, but the iM falls short of the sportier choices in the compact and compact hatch segments. Think of it as a value-oriented member of the Toyota Corolla family but with a hatch, a better ride, more standard equipment, and slightly improved driving dynamics.

2016 Scion iM
BASE PRICE	$19,995
PRICE AS TESTED	$21,568
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door hatchback
ENGINE	1.8L/137-hp/126-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4
TRANSMISSION	Cont variable auto
CURB WEIGHT	3,028 lb (60/40%)
WHEELBASE	102.4 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	170.5 x 69.3 x 55.3 in
0-60 MPH	9.9 sec
QUARTER MILE	17.6 sec @ 80.5 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	125 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.85 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	28.3 sec @ 0.59 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	28/37/32 mpg (est)
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY	120/91 kW-hrs/100 miles (est)
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	0.62 lb/mile (est)