The 2017 Toyota Corolla iM.

Twenty months ago, I wrote that the iM was the future for Scion.  At that moment, none of us outside the walls of Toyota knew the brand had no future.  It was four months and four days after that review posted that Toyota announced it was shutting down Scion.  Some models were killed off, but homes were found for others, including the iM, which is now the Corolla iM.

2017 Toyota Corolla iM.

That was a smart move, not only in terms of tooling costs, but from a marketing perspective as well.  The iM is a Corolla, at its core, and now it can wear the badge.  Beyond that, it fills a spot in Toyota's lineup.  Not only is it a five-door Corolla, for which a strong sales case could be made,  but it is a logical alternative to the Honda Fit, for someone who wants something just a little more spacious for people and their things.

You'll pay more for the Corolla iM in terms of base price ($18,750 to $16,029 for the Fit), but you can also pay less.  The as-tested price of the Corolla iM we are discussing here was $20,758, while the 2016 Fit we reviewed a year and a half ago finished at $21,885.  Admittedly, the Fit in question was a top-of-the-line EX-L with navigation, and our iM, which comes in only one trim level, was minus navigation.

However, nav is available, as a $900 option, which would still leave us at $21,568 for the Corolla iM to $21,885 for the Fit EX-L with Nav.  And that's a 2016 price, which has gone up by $300, giving the Corolla iM a $620 price advantage.

Now, that is with a six-speed manual transmission to the Honda Fit's Continuously Variable Transmission.  We prefer the manual, but if you can't or won't drive one, the $740 cost for a CVT in the Corolla iM tilts the money argument back to the Fit by $120.

2017 Toyota Corolla iM interior.

However, in the Corolla iM, there is more people and cargo room, an arguably nicer interior, and an EPA fuel economy number for highway driving that is surprisingly close---35 for the Corolla iM, 37 for the Fit.  The advantage in city driving goes to the Fit with 32 to the Corolla iM's 27.

Again, though, in the marketplace, this is not a head-to-head competition.  The Corolla iM is a size class larger, and could be just the ticket for people who like the look and mission of the Fit, but can't quite---fit.  There are no doubt Corolla buyers who'll be impressed by the versatility of a five-door.  The iM made the transition from the Scion brand to the Toyota brand very smoothly.

The 2017 Toyota Corolla XSE.

About the only complaint anyone can make about the Toyota Corolla is that it is---well---boring. Beyond that, it has space efficiency, fuel economy, build quality and legendary reliability all on its side.

Now, Toyota has decided to address "boring".

2017 Toyota Corolla XSE.

The 2017 Toyota Corolla XSE is an extension of the idea Toyota first floated with the 2014 Toyota Corolla S---a well-equipped Corolla with a sport mode added to its Continuously Variable Transmission.

The XSE follows that formula, including an upgrade to 17-inch alloy wheels, a power tilt/slide moonroof, multi-LED headlights with LED accent lights, LED daytime running lights, color-keyed heated power outside mirrors, a rear spoiler, Softex-trimmed seats (heated in the front row---eight-way power adjustable for the driver, four-way manually adjustable for the passenger), an Entune audio system with navigation, smart key with pushbutton start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, voice command, paddle shifters, automatic climate control with a pollen filter and power locks and windows.

All the above is standard for $22,680.  A $2,280 increase over the S from three years ago.  But where the XSE breaks new ground is in the options it allows you to choose.

2017 Toyota Corolla XSE interior.

No, there is no option for a more powerful engine, but you can select the TRD (Toyota Racing Development) performance exhaust, giving the Corolla a soundtrack to match the sporting theme ($649).  Our test vehicle also had the TRD performance air filter ($80).  And while our car did not have them, the options list also includes TRD lowering springs, TRD performance oil filters and a TRD rear sway bar.

What was on our test vehicle:

• Entune premium audio system ($525)
• Emergency assistance kit ($59)
• Universal tablet holder ($99)
• Illuminated door sills ($309)
• Mudguards ($129)
• Paint protection film ($395)
• First aid kit ($30)
• Cargo net ($49)
• Rear bumper protector ($79)
• Wheel locks ($67)
• Carpet/trunk mat set ($224)

The 2017 Toyota Corolla 50th Anniversary Special Edition.

There are not many 2017 cars whose names and essential missions have remained unchanged for 50 years.  Mustang, maybe.  Camaro and Impala had years between 1967 and now where they were out of production.  But the Toyota Corolla has been with us continuously for that half-century, providing reliable, fairly high-content compact sedans all along.

2017 Toyota Corolla 50th Anniversary Special Edition.

For its golden anniversary, Toyota has whipped up a 50th Anniversary Special Edition.  It comes in one color---not gold, but Black Cherry Pearl.  It's purely an appearance package.  The mechanicals, including the 1.8-liter, 132-horsepower four cylinder and a continuously variable transmission, are the same as in the Corolla SE on which this special edition is based.  And it gets the same EPA-estimated fuel economy of 28 city/35 highway.

What you get for the $21,900 base price, a $1,455 boost above the SE, are:

• 17-inch machined alloy wheels with dark grey inserts.
• SofTex trimmed sport seats with Black Cherry premium fabric inserts and stitching.
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with Black Cherry stitching.
• Black Cherry stitching and door and dash accents.
• 50th Anniversary Special Edition rear badging.
• 50th Anniversary Special Edition floormats.

2017 Toyota Corolla 50th Anniversary Special Edition rear trunk badging.