2008 Scion tC Review

The Sportiest Scion

Ideal for driving enthusiasts on a budget, the sleek Scion tC coupe is quick, nimble, and affords customization with an available supercharger and assorted accessories.

The tC coupe is the sportiest model in Toyota’s youth-oriented Scion line and a bargain among small, sporty cars. It offers style, lively performance, and a versatile interior at a great price.

Since its introduction for the 2005 model year, the Scion tC has been popular with young drivers, particularly those in the so-called “tuner” crowd who like to customize their rides with all manner of appearance and performance modifications.

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Scion is catering to that market segment with a “tC Spec” Package — a more stripped-down version of the vehicle that is ripe for personalization. It rides on smaller 16-inch steel wheels that beg to be swapped for larger alloys shod with low-profile tires. It also includes a fixed glass panorama roof instead of the power sunroof in the standard model, and comes with a cheaper steering wheel, another item often swapped out by customizers. The sticker price is about 10 percent less than the standard model.

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The front-wheel-drive Scion tC comes powered by a four-cylinder engine shared with the base version of the larger Toyota Camry sedan. This engine offers peppy acceleration, but those seeking more muscle can order an optional supercharger kit that adds 40 horsepower. This option is yet another nod to the tuner crowd that has made turbocharging and supercharging small engines a popular aftermarket modification.

The Scion's supercharger was engineered by Toyota, so there's no risk of damaging the engine with ill-fitting parts or too much power — a common problem with aftermarket kits. In fact, Scion's supercharger can be installed at the dealer, and it's even covered under warranty.

• Scion tC Vehicle Summary

Based on our test drive of a tC outfitted with the kit, performance is exhilarating. Supercharging the Scion tC's small engine works wonders for straight-line performance.

A slick-shifting, five-speed manual transmission is standard, and a four-speed automatic is optional.

Four-wheel independent suspension combined with well-calibrated steering and braking systems give this low-slung coupe spirited handling through the curves. The standard antilock brakes include electronic brake-force distribution. A knee-height driver's airbag is included, and front-side and side-curtain airbags are optional. Unfortunately, stability control is not offered on the Scion tC. This feature greatly enhances safety on slick roads and in emergency handling maneuvers.

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The Scion tC is attractive inside and out, thanks to its curvy but tasteful exterior and well-finished cockpit. Only a few of the materials used inside betray this vehicle's affordable price.

Four average-sized adults can fit comfortably inside. Rear seat legroom is generous for such a small sporty car, though tall or large occupants up front might impinge on rear seating capacity.

Standard convenience features on the standard Scion tC model include a power sunroof, keyless entry, and a CD stereo with MP3 file-reading capability and full iPod connectivity.

The Scion tC also offers a long list of dealer-installed add-ons for customizing.