2008 Scion tC

Performance

Options aside, the tC's interior has a well finished look and feel. Controls are generally easy to find and use, though the blue buttons used for some functions on the center stack are a tough read at night. Two-door coupes are not generally the vehicle of choice for people who routinely bring other people along for the ride in back. Therefore, it's always a surprise when a two-door has an actual, usable rear seat. The tC's backseat has enough leg room to hold adults, though the curving roofline means that taller passengers may run out of head room before they run out of legroom. Front seats are a comfortable fit for most, though we'd like to see Scion lengthen the tracks beneath the seats to allow a little more travel to accommodate those over six-feet tall.


The tC is fitted with a fully independent suspension. The MacPherson strut front/double wishbone rear setup, coupled with the tC's compact (106.3-inch) wheelbase, makes the car nimble handling and easy to maneuver. The drivetrain pairs a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission. Our automatic-equipped tester felt very responsive going down the road, while still managing to be pretty stingy with a gallon of gas. EPA estimates the tC's fuel economy at 20 city/27 highway with manual transmission; 21/29 with automatic.


The tC balances the Scion ticket; a sporty, right-brain counterpoint to the more sensible xD or the utilitarian xB. Well crafted and easily personalized, it's a solid choice in a small but distinctive segment. (www.scion.com)

About the Author
A native of New York's Hudson River Valley, Dan Lyons has been reviewing cars in print and online for 20 years.