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Scion tC - What the Auto Press Says

The tC has sporty appeal -- both in performance and design -- but all for an affordable price.

The 2009 Scion tC is sporty and versatile. for a hard-to-beat price. Reviewers say the coupe one-ups other small cars with its extensive customization options and high-quality standard features.

But if you're more interested in power than tuning, Mazda3's sedan or hatchback have a distinctive look and more impressive engine performance than the tC's limited engine power.

In 2008, Scion's tC featured a new front grille and sleeker taillights, in addition to cabin enhancements like new upholstery and a standard auxiliary audio input jack. But for 2009, the tC is relatively unchanged. Both the 2008 and 2009 tCs were selected as a Consumer Guide Best Buy for their respective model years.

The 2009 tC is a two-door coupe available in one trim with numerous aftermarket options available. 

• "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." -- Forbes
• "One of the best values we've seen…tC offers strong audio options and decent performance, but leg- and headroom are limited for taller people." -- CNET
• "A sophisticated, substantial vehicle that ought to appeal to a wide range of ages." -- Detroit News
• "The 2009 Scion tC has proven to be everything its competitors feared. Smartly styled, fuel-efficient and a blast to drive, the little tC is more than just a good value -- it has become the poster child for the lucrative aftermarkets parts and customization business." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "In many respects the tC has everything a college student -- and a college student's parent -- would want in a car. Still, it's a lot of car for under $18,000. Maybe the bottom line on the tC should be: A great bargain…for anyone under six feet tall." -- BusinessWeek

tC Performance - 7.8 (Good)

Test drivers admit the 2009 Scion tC isn't as crisp on the road as other coupes, and its gas mileage is merely average. Still, the tC is a pleasant performer and gets good power from the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. According to Car and Driver, "It's reasonably quick but not so much that you'll fear for your life." Read More

tC Exterior - 8.0 (Very Good)

Unlike the boxier xD or xB and the now extinct Scion xA, the tC's coupe shape is sleek and sporty. Writers say the car's design shows elements of Acuras, BMWs and Volvos. Read More

tC Interior - 7.2 (Good)

The 2009 tC's cabin is roomy and well-assembled. But several reviewers side with CNET, which notes, "we had to recline the front seats slightly to have adequate headroom. What really puzzled us, though, was the lack of front legroom, especially for the driver." Read More

tC Safety - 9.3 (Excellent)

The 2009 Scion tC does well in federal government crash tests. All Scions have an extensive list of standard safety equipment. Read More

tC Reliability - 7.0 (Good)

The 2009 Scion tC reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). All Scions have a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty. Read More