Forget all this nonsense about Scion being Toyota’s brand for younger buyers. There is nothing that says drivers of all ages should not enjoy a well thought-out sport coupe, which is just what the 2008 Scion tC that the manufacturer loaned us for this review, turned out to be.
The tC has been around since 2005, a sporty alternative to the brand’s original and decidedly boxy xB and subcompact, utilitarian xA. For 2008, it has received a mild freshening of the styling front and rear. It will take an eagle-eyed Scion enthusiast to spot the differences, however. That is actually good news, since the original design was pleasing from just about any angle.
Unchanged was the drivetrain. The tC coupe continues to be powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that works through a standard five-speed manual gearbox or an optional four-speed automatic. Power is delivered to the front wheels.
Our review Scion tC had the manual gearbox and, as in past tC coupes we have tried, it was a pleasure to use. The clutch is light, its engagement is linear and easily controlled and the linkage, save for the first two or three shifts on the coldest mornings, was always easy to use and crisply informative. Based on previous experience, the manual also enables a driver to get the most from the engine. Our previous times have put the 160-horsepower Scion tC coupe equipped with the manual gearbox in the mid-seven-second range for zero-to-60 sprints. The automatic adds about a second to this time. It also, in our testing, has detracted a little from fuel economy, though the EPA numbers do not support that finding. It rates the Scion tC at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway. Cars with the automatic are rated one mile per gallon better in the city and two miles per gallon better on the highway. Our testing put the mileage right in the middle, with 25 miles per gallon obtained during a week of driving that included spirited acceleration runs.
The engine is a smooth operator at all speeds, but it can become a major sonic factor for occupants on hard acceleration runs. Not helping acoustical isolation was one option on our review car: a $525 sport muffler. It imparted a constant drone that rose and fell in pitch and intensity based on engine speed. But, it was always there. The good news is that you can get rid of it and keep $525 in your pocket simply by foregoing this option.
While on the topic of tC irritants, another option, the premium iPod capable AM/FM/CD player by Pioneer produced music with a bass component that turned every low frequency note into an indistinguishable thud. Parent Toyota knows what good sound is. Just listen to the Mark Levinson system in any Lexus or the JBL upgrades in Toyota models. In all fairness, the problem was probably in the speakers. The only relief I could find was to trim the bass all the way back. Even then, the results were less than satisfactory.
That, however, is pretty much all I had to complain about. The tC turned out to be a handling gem. Steering feel and precision get top grades, the car keeps lean nicely in check during brisk cornering while the tires provide confidence-inspiring grip. Braking is also good with a nice pedal feel. Anti-lock brakes are now standard. Traction and stability control are not offered, however.
The ride is surprisingly civilized considering the car’s size, weight and handling prowess. Riders definitely feel the nature of the surface beneath, however, the suspension does a nice job of filtering out the harshness I expected to find when traveling over some of greater Hartford’s rougher roads. What I did not expect was a constantly buzzing glove box door and a distant rattle from the rear sunshade for the panorama glass roof panel that is standard in the Scion tC.
That roof, power operated at the front while offering an unfettered view above to back seat passengers through a fixed tinted glass panel is standard, along with such comfort and convenience items as air conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, remote control power locks and cruise control. Other niceties include a height-adjustable driver’s seat, outside temperature indicator, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system and a host of additional items. Missing from both the standard equipment and options lists is a rear wiper, which would have been welcomed during some light snow.
The front seat room and comfort are very good for a coupe, though drivers and passengers will find the seats low, making entrances and exits challenging for some. Whatever you do, do not park right next to the curb with grandmother in passenger seat.
In the rear, there is more room than you might expect, though the six-foot-plus crowd will not be pleased. Head room for these folks will be inadequate. Ditto for leg room unless the front seats are moved well forward. The back seat is split and folds to enhance cargo room in this hatchback coupe.
No one, of course, buys a coupe like this to serve as a taxi. They buy it for driving pleasure, and here the Scion tC more than fills the bill. It is fun, sporty, reasonably practical and surprisingly affordable, with a starting price of $17,000, plus $580 in shipping and handling charges. Options on our review car pushed the price to $19,661, but I could cut that by $525 easily just by dispensing with that noisy, optional and expensive sport exhaust system.
Younger customers already know about the Scion thanks to the cars content and clever marketing. Older buyers should not be deterred however. The Scion tC is a good fit for anyone who is young at heart and in the market for a stylish, well built coupe.
