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# 2018 Toyota Corolla iM - Roadblazing DHS Budget Subcompact Car Review
- URL: https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-toyota-corolla-im-roadblazing-dhs-budget-subcompact-car-review/
- Published: 2018-05-07T21:15:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-05-06T17:25:15.000Z
- Author: George Straton
- Tags: Hatchbacks

(Contributing Editor: Susan Frissell)

#### Lost in Translation:

#### Message from \[then\] Toyota Motor North America HQ \[then\] in Torrance, California to Toyota Motor Corporation Global HQ in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan:

#### "Please don't send us any 5-door hatchback compact cars. Americans won't buy them."

#### Message from Toyota Motor Corporation Global HQ in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan to Toyota Motor North America HQ \[then\] in Torrance, California.

#### ヨーロッパで人気のあるこの5ドアハッチバックコンパクトカーの今後の出荷を受け入れて、アメリカで賞賛してください。

#### ("Please accept the forthcoming shipments of this 5-door hatchback car, which is popular in Europe, to sell in America with our compliments.")

This is how the Mk. 2 Toyota Auris (E180) compact hatchback was foisted into American Toyota showrooms, wearing a Scion iM emblem in 2015.

Two model years later, with the whole "Son of Toyota" experiment but a memory, those same Toyota showrooms received a re-christened **2017 Toyota Corolla iM** badge, in honor of the donor sedan.

#### \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

#### *Must Haves:*

**√** Low M.S.R.P:

*from* **$19,615** (incl. destination) for a 6-speed manual **2018 Toyota Corolla iM** . Add $740 for the automatic CVT transaxle.

**√** Low transaction price:

Check Toyota.com & Toyota dealers for their extensive purchase, finance incentives.

*As a third generation Toyota Auris / Corolla iM is anticipated at showrooms Summer of 2018, expect steep discounting of the remaining 2018 Corolla iM inventories.*  

**√** Sufficient capacity, Versatile use of space:

Front buckets suit wide range of body types, though cushions are on short side; Forward & side visibility are usable; Cargo parcel shelf partially impedes rear visibility; Crisp white on black dial gauges include TFT trip data display, Finger friendly switches, pleasing to wind rotary dials; Front door / Rear door pocket storage = Good / Meh.

*For Comparison's Sake*: **2018 Toyota Corolla iM** vs. Volkswagen Golf Mk. VII 5-door passenger volume, rear legroom & under hatch cargo volume = +4% , -2.9"-inches, +14% respectively.

![2018 Corolla iM: 60/40% split folding 2nd Row seatbacks dramatically increase the 20 cu. ft. of under-hatch cargo capacity](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/05/RB-2017-Toyota-Corolla-IM-cargo-006d.jpg)

2018 Corolla iM: 60/40% split folding 2nd Row seatbacks dramatically increase the 20 cu. ft. of under-hatch cargo capacity

**√** Above average fuel economy, without hybrids or diesel power:

35 miles per gallon in combined driving, 530 mile highway range on 87 octane unleaded fuel.

**√** Adequate highway long-ramp, challenging short-ramp merge acceleration

Long throttle travel, low effort clutch, positive gear shift lever action

**√** Acceptable ride/ handling

Fully independent suspension lends compliance to 17"-inch alloy wheels fitted with lower resistance 45-ratio rubber; Quick steering, without being overweighted, provides accuracy and less fatigue; Planted stopping comes courtesy of standard disc brakes fitted all-around.

**√** Fitting & Finished:

Contrasting bone soft leatherette dash fitments; Contrast seat accent stitching; Solid door close thuds; Cabin respectably isolated from road & powertrain noise; Quiet tires; Coarser grained dark plastics below waist height;

![2018 Corolla iM: Rear seat entry & storage, including dual front seat rear pockets and front center console rear shelf](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/05/RB-2017-Toyota-Corolla-IM-seats-Row-2-storage-005d.jpg)

2018 Corolla iM: Rear seat entry & storage, including dual front seat rear pockets and front center console rear shelf

**√** High reliability, O.K. warranty, +1 Initial maintenance

Reliability is why donor Corolla sedan was the number one selling automobile in the world for 2017 (1.16 million units); 5 year / 60,000 miles powertrain; 3 year / 36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranties; 2 yr. / 25k mi included maintenance.

**√** Styling = Euro hot hatch ambitions

![2018 Corolla iM: for buyers seeking some zing in a modestly priced, but generously equipped compact hatchback](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/05/RB-2017-Toyota-Corolla-iM-ext-fr-rr-003d.jpg)

2018 Corolla iM: for buyers seeking some zing in a modestly priced, but generously equipped compact hatchback

A sharp raked hood, rising beltline profile; Wisp of V-grille & upper fascia dignified; Flared lower fascia w/ dark honeycomb inserts; Body-color matching side-spats; Rear quarters extend past upright liftgate like Mk. I Nissan LEAF.

**√** Generous standard equipment list - (Corolla iM has no options other than color & transmission):

*Standard:* Power windows (driver's express), door locks,heated mirrors; Keyless entry; Dual illuminated vanity sun-visors, Leather tilt + telescoping steering wheel, Front and rear overhead map lights; Front & 2nd Row center armrests; 60/40 split folding 2nd row seatbacks; Cargo bay cover;

**√** Good safety feature set & ratings:

8 airbags (incl. driver's knee), Rear view camera w/ park guidance grid, Automatic lights, Toyota Safety Sense-C: Lane departure, pre-collision warning, automatic high beam headlights.

IIHS: Front/ Side/ Small Frontal Overlap Impact resistance: Good/ Good/ Not Rated

![2018 Corolla iM: Standard = rear camera w/ predictive parking grid lines and Safety Sense-C including Pre-Collision braking and Lane Departure Warning](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/05/RB-2017-Toyota-Corolla-IM-cockpit-driver-assist-camera-rear-005d.jpg)

2018 Corolla iM: Standard = rear camera w/ predictive parking grid lines and Safety Sense-C including Pre-Collision braking and Lane Departure Warning

#### *Standard & Making Life Easier Behind the Wheel:*

**√** Bluetooth handsfree phone & audio connectivity

**√** Cruise control

**√** 2-Zone automatic climate control

**√** Touch infotainment display: 7"-inch touch LCD display HD FM/AM Audio with USB, Aux, I-pod, streaming inputs, 6-speaker Pioneer 160W audio w/ voice commands; Siri assist, aHa app;

**√** USB x 1 ports, 12V x 1 power ports

**√** Generous front center stack wireless device storage

#### *Standard & Nice To Have:*

**√** Sport mode

**√** Rear disc brakes

**√** Fully independent suspension

**√** Driver assist technology: Lane departure warning, pre-collision braking

#### *Wish It Had But Doesn't:*

**\-1**: **2018 Toyota Corolla iM** *lacks* Corolla sedan's available Entune Premium Audio Apps including Scout Link GPS Navigation mobile application.

#### *Which to Skip, Which to Pick:*

The manual transmission Corolla iM makes a case to "Save the Manuals."

#### Buying Tips:

**1)** When possible, locate an outgoing model year vehicle. They come with greater manufacturer sale and lease incentives.

**2)** Do Your Homework." Scour manufacturer websites for "Rebates", "Incentives" or "Special Offers."

**3)** Be flexible on options and colors. Be willing to consider what other consumers might readily pass on.

**4)** Reputable new car dealers may allow prospective purchasers to rent a similar model service loaner vehicle for extended test drive purposes.