GT5 Transcripts/Toyota ist

The Toyota ist was sold as the Scion xA in the U.S.

Like the xB, Toyota's ist was a model directed mainly at young buyers. In fact, Toyota was targeting first-time car buyers with the ist because the working theme of the car was "for your first". When the new car arrived in May 2002, it indeed was the buzz of new car buyers all over Japan.

Based on the Vitz (Yaris) platform, the ist was actually bigger than the Vitz, measuring 151.7 inches from front to rear, 66.7 inches from side to side, and 60.2 inches in height. It could be called a miniature SUV, but its shape nevertheless still exuded sport, thanks to a stately grille between canted headlights, an aggressive front fender shape and 15-inch wheels. The interior also had lots of personality. It was highlighted by black-and-white instrument gauges, a futuristic looking audio system, and unique geometric shapes that defined the interior door trim.

The ist shared the same engine lineup as the Vitz, with a 1.3-liter inline-4 engine and a 1.5-liter DOHC inline-4. They came mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Most ists sold were FF (Front engine, front Drive), but Toyota did include an all-wheel drive version in the mix.

Toyota sold 42,000 ists in the first month on the market, making it one of the most popular vehicles in its era. It would eventually make its way into the U.S. as a Scion.