What happened to the Toyota Corolla iM?
The Corolla iM name was retired in the United States and the car lives on as the Corolla Hatchback, starting with the 2019 model year. In other words, the underlying hatchback is the same car, but it now wears the Corolla badge instead of iM.
Context and branding shift
To simplify its lineup and align with Toyota’s global branding, the company moved to standardize the iM hatchback under the Corolla family. The transition kept the same core hatchback as present in the Auris-derived design, but rebranded it to match the broader Corolla lineup and naming conventions.
Timeline of the transition
Below is an outline of the sequence of name changes and branding decisions that led to the current Corolla Hatchback.
- 2016 — Scion iM is introduced in the U.S. as part of Scion’s lineup before the brand is phased out.
- 2017 — After the Scion brand ends, the model continues as Toyota Corolla iM in some markets while remaining the same underlying hatchback.
- 2019 — Toyota rebrands the model for the U.S. market as the Corolla Hatchback, phasing out the iM badge and aligning with the global Corolla name. The car continues to ride on Toyota’s TNGA-C platform with styling and tech updates.
- 2020s — The Corolla Hatchback receives ongoing updates (styling tweaks, tech improvements, and feature enhancements) while remaining the same basic hatchback lineage that began as the iM lineage.
The shift was part of Toyota’s broader branding consolidation: one Corolla family name across markets, with the hatchback body style continuing to serve as the sporty, practical option in the compact segment.
Continuity and changes under the Corolla Hatchback
The following highlights summarize what stayed the same and what changed when the iM name was folded into the Corolla Hatchback lineup.
What stayed the same
- Underlying platform: The car continues to ride on Toyota’s TNGA-C architecture, preserving its compact hatchback core and driving character.
- Powertrain philosophy: The 2.0-liter gasoline engine remains central, with balanced performance for daily driving and sportier trims offering engaging dynamics.
- Practicality: The hatchback body style, cargo space, and flexible rear seating remain key selling points.
- Transmission options: Availability of a manual transmission on sportier trims alongside a CVT on other trims continues to exist in the lineup.
In short, the change was largely cosmetic for branding and features; the vehicle’s fundamental design and mechanicals stayed consistent with the Corolla hatchback’s core identity.
What changed
- Branding and badging: The iM badge was eliminated in favor of the Corolla Hatchback name, unifying Toyota’s compact hatchback messaging.
- Exterior styling: Front fascia, lighting signatures, and overall styling cues were refreshed to align with newer Corolla styling language.
- Interior and tech: Infotainment upgrades (including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in many trims), improved materials, and updated electronics became more prominent.
- Safety and standardization: Toyota Safety Sense and related driver-assistance features became more widely standard across trims in later years.
These changes reflect Toyota’s push to modernize features while keeping the same practical hatchback experience that customers valued.
Summary
Ultimately, the Toyota Corolla iM didn’t vanish—it was absorbed into the Corolla Hatchback lineup. The car you could previously buy as the iM continued to exist, but under the Corolla name with updated styling, tech, and features. This branding shift aimed to streamline the lineup and reinforce a single, recognizable Corolla footprint in the compact hatchback market.
What is special about the Corolla iM?
The Corolla iM's long list of standard equipment include premium features like a 7” Display Audio system with voice recognition, Bluetooth and steering wheel-mounted controls, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, a 4.2” multi-function display, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and more.
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 the iM stand for in Toyota Corolla iM?
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.
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
