Is Scion iA a Mazda?
Short answer: No. The Scion iA is not Mazda-branded; it was developed jointly by Toyota and Mazda and is based on Mazda's Mazda2 platform. It was sold under the Scion brand and was later rebranded as the Toyota Yaris iA after Scion's lineup was retired.
Context for readers: The Scion iA stands as a notable example of cross-brand collaboration, borrowing engineering from Mazda while carrying Toyota’s Scion badge, before transitioning into Toyota’s branding ecosystem. This article explains the origins, branding shifts, and current status of the model within the Toyota lineup.
Origins and collaboration
Mazda2-based platform and joint development
The Scion iA was created as a compact sedan built on Mazda’s Mazda2 platform, designed through a collaboration between Toyota and Mazda for the Scion brand. It brought Mazda’s subcompact engineering into a Toyota-branded light car offering, emphasizing efficient packaging and a responsive small-car experience.
- Based on Mazda's Mazda2 platform (DE) and SkyActiv-G engineering lineage
- Co-developed by Toyota and Mazda to fill Scion's entry-level sedan slot
- Powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a modest horsepower output (around 106 hp), paired with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission
- Not sold as a Mazda-badged vehicle; it carried the Scion badge during its brief run
Ultimately, the Scion iA served as a bridge between Mazda engineering and Toyota branding, rather than a Mazda product per se.
Branding and market evolution
From Scion iA to Toyota Yaris iA
When Scion—the Toyota subsidiary created to market younger-leaning models—was discontinued, the iA did not disappear from the lineup. Toyota rebadged the car as the Toyota Yaris iA for the 2017 model year, signaling a shift from Scion branding to Toyota badges while retaining the underlying Mazda2-based architecture.
- 2017 model year: Scion iA renamed Toyota Yaris iA following Scion’s brand retirement
- Underlying platform and engineering remained Mazda2-based, but branding moved to Toyota
- Over time, Toyota’s subcompact offerings evolved, with branding consolidated under Toyota’s Yaris name in many markets
The iA’s branding transition illustrates how cross-brand collaboration can outlive a specific brand’s lifecycle, with the product continuing under a different badge.
Current status
Where the lineage stands today
As of the mid-2020s, the Scion brand no longer exists, and the iA name is not used in the United States. The vehicle’s Mazda2-derived underpinnings continue to influence Toyota’s subcompact offerings, but the model itself lives on primarily in Toyota’s Yaris lineage rather than as a Mazda product. The iA’s legacy remains a notable example of cross-brand collaboration in the modern auto industry.
- Scion brand retired in 2016; iA rebranded as Toyota Yaris iA for 2017
- The Yaris name became the primary badge for Toyota’s subcompact lineup in many markets
- The car remains a Mazda2-derived model, but it is not sold as a Mazda-branded vehicle
The iA story highlights how vehicles can be born from partnerships and later transitioned into a single-brand strategy while preserving core engineering ideas.
Summary
The Scion iA is not a Mazda-branded car. It originated as a collaboration between Toyota and Mazda and is built on Mazda’s Mazda2 platform. It debuted under the Scion umbrella and was subsequently renamed Toyota Yaris iA after Scion’s discontinuation, with the model ultimately integrating into Toyota’s lineup under the Yaris branding. The relationship showcases how cross-brand development can yield a Mazda2-based sedan that travels through different branding phases in the market.
Is Scion Toyota or Mazda?
Scion was a marque of Toyota that debuted in 2003 and was available only in the United States and Canada.
What brands owns Mazda?
Mazda, founded in 1920 as Toyo Cork Kogyo, became an independent automaker. It gained renown for its unique rotary engines and innovative vehicle designs. Ford owned a 33.4% stake in Mazda until 2015, ending its control. Mazda is now independent, with a strategic alliance with Toyota (5.05% stake).
What is the Scion iA based on?
The 2016 Scion iA is based on the redesigned Mazda2 sedan, from which it was rebadged and sold. It shares the same platform, chassis, and mechanical components as the Mazda2, which was manufactured in Mazda's new factory in Mexico. Subtle exterior differences like the front fascia, headlights, and taillights are the main distinguishing features.
- Mazda2 sedan: The Scion iA is a platform twin to the 2016 Mazda2 sedan that was sold in other markets but not the U.S.
- Mechanicals: The engine, transmission, and other mechanical components are sourced from Mazda.
- Manufacturing: Both cars are built on the same platform at Mazda's factory in Mexico.
- Branding: The relationship was part of a partnership between Mazda and Toyota (which owned Scion), and the car was later rebadged as the Toyota Yaris iA after the Scion brand was discontinued.
Is the Scion iA a Mazda?
And it was started in 2003. And it went from 2003 to about 2017. And in 2016 they had a model That was all Mazda. And that was an iteration of a Mazda 2 hatchback which they didn't sell in the states.
