The likes of Iveco, Isuzo and Infiniti are all mainstream automotive manufacturers that start with the letter ‘I’.
But how many makes of cars can you think of that start with that letter?
There actually haven’t been that many over the years – especially in Australia. In fact we can only think of around 40 and most of them have never officially been sold down under or are now little but a distant memory.
So what are they? Well if you can’t think of many off the top of your head, here are 9 car makes that begin with the letter ‘I’.
Do you have a favourite among this list?
BMW i8
The BMW i8 is a popular sports car with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
It has been offered in various trims and editions since its launch in 2014. The BMW i8 was designed to provide high performance with a focus on sustainability and fuel efficiency.
Features of the BMW i8 include a lightweight carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) body, electric and gasoline powertrains, and advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies.
Blessed with a 6-speed automatic transmission, this all-wheel drive has a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). It can go from 0 – 100 km/h in a nifty 4.4 seconds.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is a small electric car that was sold in Australia between 2011 and 2016. It was known for its compact size, low running costs, and environmentally friendly credentials.
The i-MiEV was powered by a small electric motor and a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery, which had a range of approximately 150 km (93 miles) on a single charge.
It was also equipped with a number of advanced safety and driver-assistance features and was well-received by critics for its smooth and quiet driving experience.
At full pelt, it could go at 130 km/h (81 mph). It could also accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 13.0 seconds.
Hyundai i20
Launched in the 2010s, the Hyundai i20 is a compact car that was previously sold in Australia.
It was designed to offer practicality, fuel efficiency, and affordability, and was offered in both hatchback and sedan body styles.
The i20 was powered by a range of gasoline engines, including 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre four-cylinders, and was available with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. The i20 was liked for its spacious and well-appointed interior, good fuel economy, and low running costs. It also had a torque that was 77 to 98 lb-ft, depending on the engine and trim level.
In recent years, the Hyundai i20 has since been replaced by newer models and is no longer available for sale down under.
Lexus IS
Launched in 1999, the Lexus IS is a compact executive car that is sold in Australia by Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. It is known for its stylish design, high-quality interior, and smooth and refined driving experience.
The Lexus IS is offered with a range of engines, including a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder, a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6, and a hybrid powertrain.
The IS also comes with a range of advanced technologies, including a large touchscreen infotainment system, advanced safety features, and a premium audio system.
In Australia, the Lexus IS is available in several different trim levels. This includes the IS 300, IS 300h, and IS 350. Each of these offers different levels of performance and equipment.
Jaguar I-Pace
The Jaguar I-Pace is a fully electric luxury SUV that is known for its smooth, quiet, and responsive driving experience.
Equipped with a range of advanced safety and driver-assistance features, and it was designed to offer an attractive and sustainable alternative to traditional gasoline-powered SUVs.
It features a sleek and aerodynamic design, a spacious and well-appointed cabin, and advanced electric powertrain technology. The I-Pace is also powered by two electric motors and a 90 kWh lithium-ion battery, which provides a range of up to 234 miles (377 km) on a single charge.
It can reach a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph).
Seat Ibiza
The Seat Ibiza is a subcompact car that was not officially sold in Australia. However, it was available through private importers.
A popular choice in Europe between 1995 and 1999, it was admired for its combination of sporty styling, good fuel economy, and practicality.
It also offered a range of engine and transmission options, a choice of gasoline, diesel, and electric engines and came in both hatchback and wagon body styles.
Holden Insignia
Introduced in 2008 as a replacement for the Holden Vectra, the Holden Insignia is a mid-size car that was sold in Australia by Holden, a subsidiary of General Motors.
The Insignia was offered in both sedan and wagon body styles and was known for its spacious and comfortable interior, advanced safety features, and a range of powerful engines. This included both gasoline and diesel options.
The Holden Insignia was also offered with state-of-the-art technologies including a rear-view camera, satellite navigation, and touch screen infotainment system.
At the time it had quite a solid following among Aussie consumers. However, it was discontinued in 2013 due to Holden transitioning to selling imported vehicles from General Motors.
Volkswagen ID.3
The Volkswagen ID.3 is an all-electric hatchback car that, like the Seat Ibiza, was not officially sold in Australia. (Although it was available through specialist importers).
It was designed to offer a high level of comfort, technology, and electric performance, and is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric vehicle platform.
The ID.3 is powered by a high-capacity battery pack that provides a range of up to 420 kilometres (261 miles) on a single charge and is available with a choice of electric motors that present a combination of efficiency and power.
It is also blessed with elevated safety features and affords the driver a high level of comfort and refinement.
Suzuki Ignis
Re-launched in 2017, the Suzuki Ignis is a popular small-size SUV-type hatch. When it originally came out at the turn of the century it was sold as Holden Cruze’s first-generation model.
The original Ignis was well thought of on account of its standard features, which included air conditioning, a multi-functional steering wheel, and a touchscreen infotainment system. It was also highly regarded for its impressive level of standard safety features, including anti-lock brakes, stability control, and multiple airbags.
After production was discontinued in 2005, it came back in a new form just over a decade later. Serving as a replacement for the Suzuki Celerio, which itself was discontinued.
Available in a couple of trim levels it competes on a more style-centric basis with the Nissan Juke and Mazda CX-3. Offering a single, petrol 1.2-litre engine that comes in either a manual or CVT auto format.
Subaru Impreza
The Subaru Impreza is a compact car that has been a popular car in the Australian market since the early 90s. It is defined by its all-wheel drive system, reliability, and safety features.
Available as both a sedan and hatchback, it is offered with a choice of 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre gasoline
engines. The horsepower of which is 152 and 182 respectively.
The Impreza is also well-equipped with a range of features, including air conditioning, a multi-functional steering wheel, and a touchscreen infotainment system.
Currently, in its fifth generation, the Subaru Impreza also has multiple airbags, stability control and excellent anti-lock brakes.
Its torque is approximately 145 lb-ft for the 2.0-litre engine and around 176 lb-ft for the 2.5-litre engine.
Honda Insight
The Honda Insight is a hybrid compact car that was first sold in Australia in 2001 until it was discontinued in 2014.
The Insight was known for its fuel efficiency and environmentally-friendly technology, featuring Honda’s two-motor hybrid system. This incorporated an engine that was a 1.5-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine and electric motor.
It was offered in two trims, that included air conditioning, a multi-functional steering wheel and a touchscreen infotainment system as standard features.
It also had a combined output of 151 horsepower and a torque of 197 Nm. While its fuel economy was about 55 mpg within city limits and 49 mpg on the highway – give or take.
