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Scion tC Review
When Scion debuted in the North American market, the company began with two models taken from existing Toyota models in Japan. The goal was to aim a new brand at a youth-oriented market. With the tC's arrival in 2005, it was evident that Toyota was hoping to win back fans of the discontinued MR2 and Celica models. The tC is the first Scion model to be designed exclusively for the Scion marque, and with stylish looks, a healthy dose of power, and a strong set of features, it looks as though Toyota has succeeded again in deciphering what it is consumers are looking for in their cars.
See also the main fact sheets for the Scion tC.
High Points
- Cheap
- Quality built interior
- Stylish design
Low Points
- Rear interior headroom a bit limiting
- Interior accents too gaudy for older folks
- Heavy, not as sporty as one might think
- Not exclusive, too common to be unique
Performance and Handling
The tC is fun to drive. The engine is quiet, smooth, and plenty powerful in a 2900-pound car, and at full throttle, it sounds powerful without being intrusive. The 2.4L double overhead cam, 16-valve engine is tuned to 160hp and 163lb.-ft. of torque (161hp from 2007+). This engine has been around Toyota in one form or another for many years and it has been continuously improved for power, torque, quietness and reliability. Choosing between the five-speed manual and four-speed automatic involves tradeoffs. The automatic is easier and, remarkably, more efficient, while the manual offers quicker acceleration performance.
The steering, ride quality and overall handling of the Scion tC are commendable. Ride quality and stability are enhanced by its 106-inch wheelbase, longest in the class. It steers with a hefty touch, but accurate pointing and transitions are easy and without drama. Overall, though not a true sports coupe, the tC handles well enough and provides enough punch to make it a fun drive nonetheless.
Gas Mileage
The FuelEconomy.gov website has the following city/highway numbers available for the Scion tC:
In a Compact Car category on Autos.com populated by models like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, these numbers place the tC quite low amongst its peers for fuel efficiency. However the EPA ratings have been found to be excessively low, with most owners reporting 26-28mpg average in mixed driving and 32mpg or better on the highway.
Safety
Currently, the NHTSA provides no safety information for the tC. However, according to Autos.com, the tC ties for fifth in Compact Car safety with several other models, including the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda Mazda3, and Toyota Corolla.
Reliability and Maintenance
The Scion brand has actually out-performed parent brand Toyota, on average, since it was created.
The tC has few common issues: -Rear hatch handles breaking in sub-freezing temperatures (be gentle with the handle when opening in very cold weather) -Sunroof squeaks when open; sunroof will not open all the way automatically -Stereo cover squeaks and won't shut
Interior and Comforts
The quality of the tC's interior is surprisingly high. Everything fits together beautifully, works intuitively, and looks great.
The front bucket seats look and feel like they were designed for racing, but that doesn't mean to say they're too narrow or too hard. We found them very comfortable, with enough fore/aft adjustment to suit tall American drivers regardless of age. The rear seats recline through 10 stops and 45 degrees of recline to convert the interior into a conversation bin. With seats up, there's more than 26 inches of cargo length there; with the second seats dropped, almost 60 inches; and with the front passenger seat folded over, almost 104 inches of cargo length available.
Attention to detail is evident in the mechanical seat position memory on the front bucket seats, the 60/40 split folding rear seat, the dead pedal for the driver's left foot, fully closing vents, and a cover for the stereo faceplate. The Pioneer single CD system that comes standard features a user-customizable welcome screen, MP3 capability, four speakers and 160 watts. A 10-inch subwoofer is optional and XM Satellite Radio is available at extra cost, and an iPod upgrade is available.
Exterior
The Scion tC was built for customization. This is nowhere more evident than on the exterior, where the design is attractive but relatively simple, merely hinting at its potential to be a hot item for after-market mods. It doesn't come with spoilers, rocker moldings or wings, but all the ingredients are there.
One of the unique design elements incorporated in the tC is its panoramic sunroof, which is very wide and extends across the front and rear seats. It's a nice touch that adds to the driving experience for the passengers as well as the driver.
The doors are also quite long for such a small car, and the door handles are of the reach-around-and-pull variety. The long rear side window suggests a two-door sedan more than a hatchback coupe, and makes the design flow from front to rear gracefully. The body panels fit tight and straight, and quality leaks from every pore. The tC generally has a nice build all around.
Styles and Options
One of Scion's strongest selling points is customizability. As such, the tC comes in a single trim with a ton of standard features and customizable options. The tC's engine is an impressive 4-cylinder with 160hp (161hp from 2007+), powering a 5-speed manual transmission; an optional 4-speed automatic is also available. Other standards include 17" wheels, cloth interior and trims, express sunroof, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 capability, and power locks, windows, and mirrors.
Optional items include mud flaps, body colored fender flares, cargo net, and a stereo upgrade.
