Corolla or Corolla iM: Which to Get?

Feb 7, 2018

Toyota has brought the Scion line to an end, but not every Scion ended with it. Some made the jump over to Toyota’s main line, and that’s why the compact Corolla now has a hatchback option called the Corolla iM. But thanks to its history, the iM has more differences than just the hatch.

Trim Levels

If you want variety or to pick exactly which features you want, you’re better off with the regular Corolla. The Corolla sedan has six trim levels, including the extra-efficient LE Eco, but the only big choice you make with the Corolla iM is whether to get the manual transmission or the CVT.

Standard Features

The 2018 Corolla iM has a price that’s between the base L and the LE trims, but despite that it has an impressive set of standard features. The iM comes standard with a 7-inch display that the LE gets as part of a package, and it has dual-zone automatic climate control, a feature that no Corolla sedan offers.

Cargo Space

The big reason to get a hatchback instead of a sedan is because hatchbacks add a lot more cargo room without adding a lot to the price. And that certainly holds true with the 2018 Corolla: the sedan has 13 cubic feet to offer, but the Corolla iM gets 20.8 cubic feet with the extra space behind the rear seats.

The Corolla iM is more than just a hatchback version of the Corolla, so make sure you look at all the features and options that come on either model.