2006 Scion tC Test Drive

Scion Nails Young-Buyer Bull's Eye

What Target is to discount shopping, the Scion tC is to entry-level coupes: sleek design, loads of features and a level of quality unexpected for the price.

Performance

With a 2.4-liter, 160-horsepower, four-cylinder engine, the tC will keep pace with competitors like the base Acura RSX, Mini Cooper and Volkswagen Golf. It's not overwhelmingly fast, but then it doesn't aspire to be, and it does have ample power for its size. The tC's pep was useful during post-toll-plaza dashes to get into the correct lane on the highway.

Similarly priced hip hatchbacks like the Mini Cooper and Volkswagen Golf GL have significantly weaker motors — each with a 45-hp deficit. Conversely, the Honda Civic Si and base Acura RSX match the tC’s power, but cost thousands more.

The five-speed manual transmission in the tC is first rate — the shift lever feels solid through the gates and the clutch is easy to modulate. But don't discount the smooth and refined automatic transmission, an $800 option and a good choice for drivers who tackle gridlock on a daily basis.

The tC rides comfortably and quietly. Steering is as linear as the throttle, meaning drivers can turn and accelerate with confidence.

Scion is keeping quiet about the specifics of the forthcoming supercharger, other than saying that it will bump peak horsepower to around 200 and cost about $4,000. (See our tC photo gallery for an image of the supercharger installed.)