What does Toyota Corolla iM mean?

The Corolla iM name is primarily a branding tag rather than a defined acronym. It originated with the Scion iM hatchback and, after Scion was folded into Toyota, continued under the Corolla family in some markets. In recent years, many regions have shifted to using Corolla Hatchback in official communications, with the iM label appearing mainly in historical contexts or used on older listings. Toyota has not published an official expansion for the letters “iM.”

Origins and evolution of the badge

The following overview traces how the iM badge moved from Scion to Toyota and how branding evolved over time.

Scion iM: the hatchback launch

The car began life as Scion iM, a five‑door hatchback designed to appeal to younger buyers with sporty styling and a compact footprint. It shared engineering with the broader Toyota Corolla family and was positioned alongside Scion’s other youthful models.

Transition to Toyota: Corolla iM

After Toyota retired the Scion brand, the hatchback was rebranded for the North American market as the Toyota Corolla iM, preserving the hatchback’s distinct character while aligning it with Toyota’s best‑selling Corolla lineup.

Current branding: Corolla Hatchback in many markets

In the years that followed, Toyota increasingly marketed the vehicle as the Corolla Hatchback in several regions. The iM suffix remained in historical references and some used‑car listings, but official new‑car naming shifted toward Corolla Hatchback, reflecting a consolidation of branding under the Corolla umbrella.

Before the list: The items below summarize the badge’s origin, its transition, and how it’s used today across markets.

• Introduced as Scion iM, a five‑door hatchback sharing its platform with the Corolla family.


• After Scion’s dissolution, the model was renamed Toyota Corolla iM for the North American market, preserving the hatchback identity.


• Over time, many markets moved to the Corolla Hatchback branding, with the iM designation appearing less in official marketing.


• Toyota has not published an official expansion or meaning for the letters “iM”; it is primarily a marketing badge tied to a specific model’s history.

These points illustrate how the iM badge originated, how it was integrated into the Corolla family, and how branding has evolved toward a simpler Corolla Hatchback presentation in many regions.

Branding and market considerations

The current status of the iM designation varies by market, and buyers should understand how naming affects new-car listings and used inventories.

• United States: The newer vehicles are marketed as Corolla Hatchback; Corolla iM appears mainly in older stock or listings and is not the official name for current models.


• Canada and many international markets: Similar shift toward Corolla Hatchback, with iM largely retired in new‑car branding.


• Meaning of "iM": Toyota has not published an official acronym or phrase for "iM"; the branding is a carryover from Scion’s naming conventions rather than a defined term.

In short, the iM suffix is a historical branding artifact from Scion that has been largely phased out in favor of the Corolla Hatchback name in most markets, while still being recognized by enthusiasts and in used‑car listings.

Summary

Corolla iM started as Scion’s hatchback model and was later folded into Toyota’s Corolla lineup in North America. The “iM” designation has no official, published meaning from Toyota; it served as a branding cue tied to Scion’s youthful image. Over time, many markets phased out the iM name in favor of “Corolla Hatchback,” reflecting a broader consolidation of the Corolla family. For buyers today, the model’s core attributes remain a compact, practical hatchback, with branding now primarily aligned under the Corolla umbrella.

Is the Toyota Corolla iM a good car?

The Toyota Corolla iM is considered a good car for those prioritizing reliability, practicality, and a low price, but it's not ideal for drivers seeking performance or a spacious interior. Its main advantages are its excellent reliability, good fuel economy, and standard features, while its downsides include a cramped back seat, underpowered engine, and slow acceleration.
 
Pros

• Reliability: Like other Corollas, the iM has a reputation for being very reliable and long-lasting, with many owners reporting high satisfaction with its dependability. 
• Practicality: It is a practical hatchback with a decent amount of cargo space when the rear seats are folded down. 
• Fuel Efficiency: The Corolla iM is fuel-efficient, making it a good option for daily driving. 
• Value: It often comes with a lot of standard features for its price, making it a good value proposition. 
• Ride Comfort: It offers a comfortable ride that handles bumps well, though it can feel busy on rougher roads. 

Cons

• Performance: The 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine is underpowered, leading to slow acceleration and a lack of driving excitement. 
• Rear Seat: The back seat can feel cramped, especially for taller passengers, and is not as roomy as some competitors. 
• Driving Dynamics: It is not considered a fun car to drive, despite a decent handling setup. 
• Visibility: Some drivers find the rear visibility to be limited. 

Who is it for?
The Corolla iM is a good choice if you are on a budget and prioritize dependability over performance. It's a sensible car for daily commutes, with good fuel economy and a practical hatchback design that's great for hauling cargo. 
Who should consider alternatives?
If you need a car that is more engaging to drive, has a more spacious back seat, or offers stronger performance, you may want to look at other options. Some say you would be happier paying a little extra for a more well-rounded small hatchback.

What does 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 year is the Toyota Corolla iM?

In 2016, for the 2017 model year, the iM was rebranded as the Toyota Corolla iM when the Scion brand was discontinued.

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