2011 Scion tC Review and Prices

Styling: Toyota must feel confident the 2011 tC will retain current owners while still bringing in new buyers. The first-generation tC was virtually unchanged over its life span, and the redesigned 2011 tC represents an evolutionary advance rather than revolutionary leap.

The 2011 Scion tC has curvy sheetmetal reminiscent of its predecessor, albeit with a few more angles for a more muscular look. The fastback rear roofline actually is a hatchback panel, giving this compact-sized two-door a dimension of added cargo versatility. Like the first-generation iC, the look is sporty but not flashy. That’s the job of Scion-approved, dealer-installed options, such as 19-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, spoilers, and ground-effects body kits.

We’re not suggesting the 2011 tC isn’t youthfully sporty just the way in comes from the factory. Standard features include a panoramic sunroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, a chrome exhaust tip, and folding side mirrors with built-in turn-signal indicators.

The 2011 Scion tC’s cabin retains a relatively simple design, and the look is generally handsome. The instrumentation again uses orange markings on black backgrounds. New audio head units are meant to evoke aftermarket designs but end up looking a little cheap. Some of the cabin’s hard plastic materials also feel a bit low-rent, as does the headliner.

The front buckets are one-inch wider than before and offer good room even for taller occupants. These seats are a bit on the hard side but offer nice bolstering for aggressive cornering. Rear-passenger space is at a premium due to the tC’s compact-coupe dimensions, but the rear seatback reclines a few degrees for added comfort. And accessing the back seat is a relative breeze thanks to a lever located high on the front seatbacks. The left front seat also has a handy memory function to insure that it returns to the driver’s preferred position. The rear hatchback offers a fair amount of useful cargo space, with 34.5 cubic feet available the 60/40 split rear seatbacks folded.

The 2011 Scion tC comes in a single trim level, with no factory options. Extra-cost accessories designed specifically for the car are available through Scion dealers.

Mechanical: The 2011 Scion tC’s only engine is a 180-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder rated at 180 horsepower and 173 pound-feet of torque. It replaces a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that had 161 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The transmissions are new, too, and represent an important advance as the standard manual gearbox is now a six-speed instead of a five-speed and the optional automatic is a six-speed instead of a four-speed.

The manual transmission works well enough to encourage spirited driving, thanks to just-right clutch engagement. The only letdown is the lightness of the shift action, which is a bit off-putting to enthusiast drivers. The six-speed automatic is competent and doesn’t appear to significantly change the performance characteristics of the car.

The 2011 tC is only about 100 pounds heavier than the previous model and with the new engine, acceleration is adequate for around-town driving and strong enough in the lower gears to provide lively launches out of corners when attacking a back road. If you leave the corner in too high a gear, expect the tC to feel a bit out of breath. The brakes are strong and smooth.

The 2011 tC’s steering is light and doesn’t offer much feedback, and there’s a little too much body roll at times. The all-independent suspension and generously sized 225/45R18 tires furnish lively handling in corners, and we’re happy to note Scion has included as standard an antiskid system designed to mitigate sideways slides in turns. Overall, the 2011 iC falls short of a true, hot-handling sport car, but it takes corners well enough to provide fun in the twisties.

Credit Scion with tuning the 2011 tC’s suspension to provide a ride that’s mostly smooth on well-groomed roads, with only a hint of stiffness over bumps. On the downside, the exhaust note is a bit loud during rapid acceleration, especially if you’ve ordered the dealer-installed aftermarket system. As expected in a car intended for young people who might be more tolerant of high noise levels, the 2011 tC doesn’t muffle the wind very well and tire roar is intrusive at highway speeds.

Features: For a car designed to encourage customization, the 2011 Scion tC comes quite nicely equipped.  Air conditioning, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, and power windows, locks, and mirrors are standard. So is a height-adjustable driver’s seat, tilt/telescope steering column, outside temperature gauge, cruise control, and a center console with an armrest.

Safety features included in the base price are the aforementioned antiskid system, plus four-wheel disc brakes with antilock technology for better control in emergency stops, and traction control to improve grip on take-offs. Head-protecting curtain side airbags for both seating rows are supplemented by driver and front-passenger knee airbags. A first-aid kit is included, too.

The standard audio system is a Pioneer unit with 300 total watts, eight speakers, RCA output jacks, an auxiliary input jack, a USB iPod interface, and steering-wheel controls. An Alpine system is available as a premium-audio upgrade, and buyers can also opt for a dealer-installed navigation system, satellite radio, Bluetooth wireless cell phone link, and remote engine start.

Cosmetic doo-dads include body graphics and a carbon-fiber-finish center roof pillar appliqué. Fog lamps, rear spoiler, door-sill enhancements, interior lighting switchable among seven colors, a tonneau cover, a cargo net, and including all-weather floor and cargo mats are also among add-ons available through your Scion dealer.

On functional side, items available from Toyota’s TRD (Toyota Racing Development) department include an upgraded performance exhaust system, 19-inch alloy wheels, a performance air filter, an upgraded brake system, a suspension lowering kit, performance suspension pieces, and a short-throw shifter for quicker shifts with the manual transmission.

Scion’s appeal isn’t just limited to the customization of its cars -- the company likes to invite owners to social events that focus on the product. The theory is that Scion tC buyers aren’t looking just for a hatchback coupe with sporty intentions, they are also looking to join a club in which some of their peers are already members.