What does the iM stand for in Toyota Corolla?
The iM name carries no officially published meaning from Toyota. It originated with Scion as a hatchback model and was later carried over briefly as Corolla iM before the badge was dropped in favor of the Corolla Hatchback. In short: there is no confirmed expansion of the acronym.
Origins of the iM name
Understanding the iM requires tracing its roots in Toyota’s lineup during the Scion era. The hatchback debuted under the Scion umbrella and was marketed as a practical, sporty option built on a Corolla platform. After Toyota retired the Scion brand, the model was renamed Corolla iM for a transitional period before the entire lineup shifted to the Corolla Hatchback.
Key milestones in the iM’s branding and lifecycle:
- Unveiled as Scion iM at the 2015 New York Auto Show, signaling a compact hatchback aimed at young buyers.
- Entered the market as a 2016 model year Scion hatchback, built on the Corolla platform.
- 2017 model year: Toyota rebranded the car as Corolla iM following the shuttering of the Scion brand.
- 2019 onward: Toyota phased out the “iM” badge in favor of the Corolla Hatchback, ending the iM nomenclature.
The lifecycle shows how the model shifted from Scion to Toyota branding and eventually to a newer, more unified Corolla naming strategy.
What does the iM stand for? Official stance
Toyota has not published an official expansion for the letters in iM. The label was primarily a marketing name used during the Scion era and carried over briefly when the car became part of the Corolla lineup. There is no confirmed acronym or phrase that Toyota has publicly attached to iM.
Common interpretations in absence of an official statement
When speculation arises, journalists and enthusiasts sometimes propose possibilities, but none are officially endorsed by Toyota. Potential interpretations circulated online include ideas like the “i” signaling intelligence or individuality and the “M” suggesting motion or modernity. It is important to note that these are speculative and not confirmed by the manufacturer.
Notes on interpretation: while the iM name appeared in association with Scion and later Corolla branding, Toyota has not issued a formal meaning for the letters, and the company did not publish an acronym for the badge.
Current status and legacy
As of the latest model cycles, Toyota no longer uses the iM badge. The hatchback variant that once wore Scion iM and then Corolla iM has been absorbed into the Corolla Hatchback lineup. The move reflects Toyota’s broader shift away from the Scion branding and toward a more unified Corolla family lineup.
In terms of impact, the iM’s legacy lies in its role as a bridge between Scion’s energetic, youth-focused branding and Toyota’s consolidated hatchback strategy. It helped introduce a practical, entry-level hatch to the Corolla family and illustrated the brand consolidation that followed the Scion era.
Summary
The iM name does not have an officially confirmed meaning from Toyota. Originating with Scion and later carried into the Corolla lineup, the badge was retired as Toyota migrated the hatchback into the Corolla Hatchback family. The absence of a formal acronym means the exact expansion remains a matter of consumer interpretation rather than corporate proclamation.
What is the M mode on a Toyota Corolla?
M: Manual Mode
M is Manual on select models. Shift from D to M to step through preset gears using plus and minus inputs, often shown on the instrument panel. This gives you manual style control without a clutch.
What does Toyota Corolla iM mean?
The Corolla iM was a 5-door compact hatchback model from Toyota that was produced from 2016 to 2018 and was replaced by the Corolla Hatchback for the 2019 model year. It was based on the Auris hatchback sold in other countries and featured a sporty design with a 1.8-liter engine, standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, and either a 6-speed manual or an automatic continuously variable (CVT) transmission.
You can watch this video to see a walkaround and features of the 2017 Toyota Corolla iM: 59sToyota USAYouTube · Jun 13, 2017
Key features
- Body style: 5-door hatchback
- Engine: 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower
- Transmission: 6-speed manual or a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
- Safety: Standard features included the Toyota Safety Sense-C package, which added pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, and automatic high beams. It also had a backup camera and the Star Safety System.
- Exterior: Featured a honeycomb grille, LED daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a spoiler on some models.
- Interior: Came with standard tech features like a touchscreen infotainment system and Bluetooth, with some models offering dual-zone climate control and heated front seats.
- Space: Offered ample passenger and cargo space for a compact hatchback.
What happened to it?
The Corolla iM was replaced in the United States for the 2019 model year by the entirely new Toyota Corolla Hatchback, which was redesigned and based on the TNGA platform, notes MotorTrend.
What is the difference between Corolla SE and iM?
Although the Toyota Corolla and Corolla iM both pack 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engines, the iM model has more horsepower at its disposal (137 as opposed to 132). On the other hand, the standard Corolla possesses a bit more torque than its hatchback counterpart (128 as opposed to 126).
Is the Toyota Corolla iM discontinued?
Yes, the Toyota Corolla iM was discontinued and replaced by the Toyota Corolla Hatchback starting with the 2019 model year. The Corolla iM, which was sold for the 2017 and 2018 model years, was a rebadged version of the Scion iM after Toyota discontinued the Scion brand.
You can watch this video to learn about the history of the Corolla iM and its replacement by the Corolla Hatchback: 18sCNET CarsYouTube · Mar 28, 2018
- The Corolla iM was produced for the 2017 and 2018 model years.
- It was replaced by the all-new Corolla Hatchback for the 2019 model year.
- The Corolla iM was originally the Scion iM, but the Scion brand was discontinued in 2016, and the model was rebranded under the Toyota Corolla nameplate.
This video compares the Corolla iM and the new Corolla Hatchback: 58sFamily WheelsYouTube · Jun 24, 2018
