2016 Scion iM

If you’re driving a hatchback, chances are you’ve made a conscious choice to value practicality over curb appeal. Still, it’s nice to have a little swagger, isn’t it? Thankfully, the 2016 Scion iM hatchback gives you both.

While tooling around Santa Monica during our Scion test-drive, we noticed a few people staring at the iM as if they were trying to figure out what exactly we were driving. Outside, the iM is sleek and curved and inside it’s way more comfy than you’d expect. That’s because Scions are “mono-spec.”

It means exactly what you’d expect. Every single feature that Scion offers is placed inside all of their cars. So, where you might typically have to choose which options you really need on your new car and which ones you can do without, Scion gives you everything all at once. The most obvious benefit, aside from eliminating your analysis paralysis, is allowing you to get high-end features, like heated rear view mirrors, on a relatively inexpensive car.

This is even more amazing once you factor in that Scion also has built-in “no haggle” pricing. The sticker price is the price, period. If you don’t like the idea of having to bargain for your new car, this sales style is perfect for you.

For those who feel like their car buying experience isn’t complete without some customization, however, Scion does offer some dealer-installed options, like a navigation upgrade kit, body graphics, cargo area enhancements, an interior light kit and all-weather floor mats. Likewise, the Scion iM also offers a line of Toyota Racing Development performance accessories, like an air intake system, sway bar, lowering springs and everything you need to take your iM out on the racetrack.

The Scion is also more than a little zippy out on the road. Even on the somewhat congested Pacific Coast Highway, the Scion iM slipped nimbly between the other cars on the road with ease. Once you engage “sport” mode, be prepared to zoom past everything on the road. In fact, it felt much more like a sports car than a hatchback.

Speaking of the hatchback, there was a decent amount of cargo space in the rear and the backseats weren’t as small as you’d expect. We can see this car easily fitting into the lifestyle of a young college student but staying with them well into their adult life.

In fact, the iM was just ranked sixth on Kelley Blue Book’s list of “10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2015.” This annual list highlights new vehicles, which have been recommended for students. That said, the iM does feel youthful but not in a way that would preclude an adult from driving it.

By the way, getting a Scion just got super easy. A few Scion dealers have begun working with Pure Process Plus, a system by which you can find a car, order it and apply for credit all at Scion.com. Some of the dealerships will even deliver the car. So, you don’t even need to leave your house to get a new ride.

Buyable ranking: 8. A reasonable sticker price that includes all the extras that Scion has to offer makes the iM a sensible choice, with style.