This is the 2016 Scion iA, just revealed by Toyota's North American sub-brand at the 2015 New York International Auto Show. If it looks familiar, yes, you're looking at a Mazda 2 Sedan with a different face. And dominating Scion's mask is a very, very big mouth. Yay or nay?
Other than Scion's familiar brand face with a that mega hexagon lower grille, the Scion iA is pure Mazda 2 Sedan, down to the 16-inch wheels. Not much work was done to differentiate the rear end and cabin except for Scion badges replacing Mazda's wings, but since the original car is not sold in the USA, there won't be a case of mistaken identity.
Mazda's 1.5 litre Skyactiv petrol engine with 106 hp lies under the hood, paired to either a six-speed manual (one of the sweetest-shifting manuals around, it is claimed) or six-speed automatic gearbox. Sport Mode is available with the flip of a switch.
The iA is pitched as an entry-level first car that will arrive in dealerships later this year for around $16,000 (RM58,838). The subcompact will ship with cruise control, keyless entry with push start, steering buttons, Bluetooth, seven-inch touchscreen stereo, reverse camera and voice recognition as standard. Plenty of music on demand with Pandora, Aha and Stitcher, too. Navigation is optional.
On the safety front, one gets six airbags and surprisingly, a low-speed laser pre-collision system. The Scion iA's kit list is very impressive for its class in the States as many of the above are usually cost options.
The Scion iA would do well to shake up the segment like the Mazda 2 did here. Launched in January, the B-segment 2 is available in Malaysia as a sedan or hatchback, both powered by a 1.5 litre high-compression, direct-injected SkyActiv-G engine with 114 hp and 148 Nm, and priced at RM87,956 OTR with insurance. Read our launch report and test drive report.
Mazda 2 Sedan in Malaysia
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