All-new 2016 Scion iA is brand’s first sedan

After years of selling quirky hatchbacks and sport coupes, the division’s first ever four-door sedan, the Scion iA, debuts at the New York auto show. This car is the result of a partnership between Mazda and Toyota, with Mazda producing the iA.

The mechanics of the iA include a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 106 hp hooked up to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Company officials peg the car’s fuel economy estimates at 33 mpg city, 42 mpg highway, and 37 mpg combined. Befitting a small, budget car, the suspension components include MacPherson struts up front and torsion beam in back. Scion claims that the iA is aimed at finding the right balance of “sporty handling and comfortable ride not normally associated with this segment.” Sounds promising.

On the safety front, the Scion iA comes with a standard low-speed pre-collision system that uses a laser sensor to help the driver avoid collisions. A back-up camera is also standard.

Inside, the iA gets chrome accents and soft-touch trim and surfaces, 10-inch fore-aft slide seat adjustment, and standard height adjuster. The steering wheel also tilts and telescopes. The steering wheel has controls for the audio and standard Bluetooth (with voice commands). The audio system comes with a standard seven-inch touch screen display and six speakers. Techies will like the two USB ports and an auxiliary input. A navigation system is a dealer-installed option.