Car Tech - 2016 Scion iA: Built by Mazda, branded by Scion

Scion's first ever sedan has a sporty secret. It's actually a Mazda2.

[Native]

It seems like a great economy car with great features.

[TrydeoVideo]

Awd? Idk why but this car is eye catching for me

[AJ-qj]

I really don't think it looks that bad.  Is anyone surprised? This isn't the first time a brand has rebranded a car for a different company.

[Jarl_]

I'll take the Mazda badge instead...

[DesuVR]

That's a sedan?! I thought it was a "sub-compact" crossover!

[buildmorefarms]

I drove this car, it is really great! I like it better than the Fit!

[Eatmykellogs]

So will Subaru and Mazda just build all Scions now?

[BlightBlaze]

"just as fun as the Fr-s sports sedan" sure it will

[godfatherNYC]

In the U.S., I've only seen Mazda 2 available in a Hatchback. Never seen it offered as a sedan? WTH?

[cuddles]

They actually compared this to an FR-S, which most reviewers say has a weak engine with not enough power to be a "fun" small car.

[KingSinghaLeo]

I wouldn't be surprised if this was a joke by Toyota.
It's so blatantly a Mazda 2. 

[JAYBud]

Its like Quasimodo and Fiona had a baby

[Joeymart]

The back looks ok. The front not too much

[roguedogx]

I'd rather just have the mazda2 and support the kick a$$ company that made it.

[ClintSexton]

Is Mazda still part of ford? This is like the ford escape and Mazda tribute but with toyota

[RaulBrv]

Pass. When on earth is the U.S. going to get the Mazda 2? It's been awhile since we've heard anything. Come on Mazda.

[JordanGauger]

Seems like Mazda lost in this little exchange

[cuddles]

SCION was supposed to DIE if they didn't sell more cars. Guess what, they aren't selling more cars but Toyota can't kill it anyway.

[coffeeblak]

Gross. Wtf are car companies thinking? What's next a ford corvette?

[mykullee]

As a Mazda enthusiast and advocate, Scion iA makes me absolutely mad. I absolutely hate it. I will try and explain why:

I say I'm an advocate because I firmly believe in Mazda's SKYACTIV Technologies and they're styling just wow'ed everyone. Their product was so innovative, I was very impressed from where they've come from. I drive a Mazda6 of my own, and I love it. I have no regrets on my purchase and I love driving it every second of every day. 

Now when I saw this vehicle, it made me mad that they took Mazda's styling. I mean, it was one of the unique features that Mazda could be very proud of, and it's in the hands of Toyota now? Are you kidding me? It's not even that. The interior? Everything is the same from cloth seat, material lay out, instrument cluster, to the infotainment. THE INFOTAINMENT. It's called a MazdaConnect and now Toyota is gonna call it the ScionConnect. What a joke. The engine as well. The high-compression SKYACTIV-G was also one of the innovative feature of Mazda and it's not even exclusive to Mazda anymore. Why?

Mazda sells the Mazda2 sedan in other markets but not in Canada and U.S. (I think, correct me if wrong). Why don't you just bring the damn sedan here so that it doesn't have the stupid looking Scion front but rather the five-point Mazda grille everyone loves? Why don't you keep the SKYACTIV stuff of the car exclusive to Mazda so that people will go to Mazda to buy it rather than Scion? Was the partnership really worth it? 

You guys may think differently, but this car makes me mad. I understand that this was a partnership, but really? Scion is absolutely unoriginal, not youthful in any way, and they're a failing brand. Only good products of Scion is the FR-S because it's exactly same as Subaru BRZ. The Scion tC is original. That's all. This is really disappointing to be honest...