2011 Scion tC Review

Dec 14, 2011

2011 Scion tC Review

Stu Wright

The most recent automobile that I received
for review was the 2011 Scion tC, a product of Toyota Motor Corporation. Scion (descendant) is the name Toyota chose in
2002 for their new division that markets to North American members of Generation
Y. The line of cars originally included
the xA hatchback and xB wagon and in 2004 they rolled out the little tC sports
coupe like I drove. It was Cement gray
(that’s right, cement), with black cloth bucket seats and five passenger
seating. The color was basically like
the U.S.S. Cole without the hole. It is
a pretty little car with updated styling for 2011 to make it more attractive to
men. That despite the fact that the
male/female ratio of buyers has been split 50/50.

Upon receipt, I departed for Denver in the
tC down Interstate 25 and on to Bear Valley library. Ride is stable out on the highway partly
because of MacPherson strut/double wishbone front and rear suspension along
with rack and pinion electric power steering.
The car has 106.3” wheelbase and the chassis is derived from the European-market
Avensis sedan as well as the Lexus HS-250h.
Acceleration is fine (0-60 in 7.5 sec.) and is provided by the 2.5 liter
4 cylinder, DOHC, dual variable valve-timed in-line powerplant. Horsepower is 180 and the torque comes in at
173 ft.-lbs. Fuel economy on the tC with
the 6-speed manual (like I drove) computes at 23mpg city and 31mpg
highway.

Turning radius on the car is an average
37.4 ft., and the length is 174 in., making the parking task at IHOP (near the
library) pretty simple. I wasn’t
prepared to read on an empty stomach. A
lot of young people are in the area, what with the school nearby, and I noticed
they were gawking at the gleaming Scion while I was in the area. The boys paid particular attention, which is
good for Toyota because they are striving for 60% male purchasers. The kids may have heard the top-line stereo
equipment in the car with 8 speakers (3 directly beside my left knee) that of
course would be a hallmark of such a model.
It’s made by Pioneer and has steering-wheel mounted audio controls and
the USB port/Ipod connection. Outside,
the tC features 18-inch alloy wheels with 14 spokes (see photo) and they are
surrounded with 225/45R18 all season radials.
Looks are good with the new bulging rear wheel-wells that have been
added for 2011.

M.S.R.P for my Scion, as equipped, was $18,995.00,
including freight. No options were
added, because the car is pretty loaded as is, including power windows and
locks, cruise control, remote keyless entry, tilt/telescope steering column,
and power moonroof that rolls out on top of the roof when opened. Glass is present from the top of the
windshield to the rear window, making for a striking appearance. Plus it is a hatchback design without a
package tray in the rear (you can peek in the trunk from outside). That’s OK; it’s a pretty cool car. I can see why it is Scion’s top seller.

2011 Scion tC 2-Door Hatchback Sedan
in Cement gray

M.S.R.P. $18,995.00 - Weighs
3,060 lbs. and competes against Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Kia Forte Koup, Mini
Cooper 3-Door, and VW Golf 3-Door.