2011 SCION tC The tC is currently the sporty member of the Scion family. A two-door, front-wheel drive hatchback, the tC is powered by a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine mated to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. Like the other Scions the tC is offered in only one model, but buyers can choose from a long list of accessories to personalize their ride. Interior and trunk The tC’s low stance hampers front entry and exit. The front seats are very comfortable, despite the absence of lumbar adjustment. The tilt-and-telescoping steering column helps find a good driving position. Leg room is relatively generous, but the moon roof limits head room. Difficult to access, the rear bench seat can accommodate two people, preferably of average height or less, since head and leg room are tight. Seat comfort is about average, partly because the cushion is so low. The 60/40-split seatback folds flat, but a few centimetres higher than the floor of the trunk. Because of the high floor, trunk capacity is not all that impressive. The hatch opening is large. Convenience and safety Though the cabin is very well finished, the hard plastic surfaces creaked and cracked at times during our test. The other materials are of good quality. There are some good storage spaces. The soundproofing is overwhelmed by almost all sources of noise, tire whine in particular. Gauges and controls are well laid out. However, several controls and the glove compartment are not illuminated at night, as is often the case with Toyota products. Climate control is efficient. The click of the turn signals is inaudible. The washer nozzles are located far under the edge of the hood and can easily be blocked by snow and ice. The rear wiper does not clean a wide swath on the right side of the window. Safety features include dual front, side and side curtain airbags plus one knee airbag for each front occupant, four-wheel antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, and five head restraints (active in front). Visibility is good but the wide C-pillars block the view on a three-quarter-rear angle and rearward, when backing up. The low-beams lack intensity and range. Photo: Scion In U.S. government tests, the tC obtained four stars out of five for front-occupant protection in a frontal collision, and five stars for all-occupant protection in a side crash. It earned four stars for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the tC a Good rating, its highest, for roof strength, driver protection in a frontal offset collision and all-occupant protection in a side or rear impact. Engine and transmission The 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine develops 180 horsepower and 173 pound-feet of torque, for decent but uninspiring acceleration and pickup. Moreover, the puny exhaust note is no match for the car’s sporty pretentions and can become annoying on long trips. The six-speed automatic transmission generally functions very smoothly, though at times you can clearly feel it downshift. The transmission is well geared, but you can’t drive off in second. On the road The fully independent suspension delivers a very smooth ride on most surfaces. It is on the firm side, however, and can react a bit stiffly on some road imperfections. Road holding is very good, allowing the tC to zip through winding turns. The electrically assisted steering system is well tuned, stable and precise. For a sporty car, it could be quicker and more informative. Braking is powerful, with good fade resistance. Inspection An inspection at a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre showed that the tC sits on a sturdy platform. Rustproofing is not applied everywhere, but most joints are sealed. The radiator expansion tank and wiper fluid tank are side by side in the engine compartment, which could prove costly if one is mistaken for the other. The openings under the front bumper are large enough for road debris to fly through and damage the air-conditioner condenser. The ABS wires could be better attached. There is a hook at the back, one only, for securing an item carried on the roof. The engine’s overhead camshafts are chain driven. Conclusion Appearances can be deceiving, and the Scion tC is a case in point. For starters, its modest horsepower and rather numb steering belie its sporty allure. However, the tC is not a bad car, just not a high-performance car. It has other qualities that merit a second look. PROS: comfortable front seats, smooth automatic transmission, road holding, smooth ride, handling, rigid platform CONS: poor soundproofing, blind zones, some unlighted controls, washer nozzles under edge of hood, weak low-beams, limited space in back 2011 SCION tC Engine: 16-valve, 2.5-litre 4-cylinder Horsepower: 180 hp at 6,000 rpm Torque: 173 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic Suspension: fully independent Brakes: disc/disc Wheelbase: 270 cm Length: 442 cm Width: 179.5 cm Height: 141.5 cm Weight: 1,377 to 1,402 kg Tires: P225/45R18 Maximum towing capacity: not recommended Airbags: dual front, two side and two curtain airbags plus one knee airbag for each front occupant Fuel consumption with automatic transmission Natural Resources Canada rating: City: 8.9 L/100 km (32 mpg) Highway: 6.3 L/100 km (45 mpg) Test result: 8.5 L/100 km (33 mpg) Test temperature: 17°C to 29°C CO2 emissions: 3,542 kg/20,000 km Fuel tank capacity: 55 litres Fuel requirement: regular grade gasoline Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 9.5 seconds 60–100 km/h: 6.7 seconds Competition: Honda Civic Coupe, Kia Koup, Volkswagen Golf Warranty: Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/60,000 km Perforation damage: 5 years/unlimited km Emissions control system: 3 years/60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module, onboard diagnostic system). Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $677 Front brake disc: $100 Brake pads: $83 Front shock absorber: $245 Front fender: $237 Price according to trim level (freight and preparation included): $22,240 Main options: Automatic transmission: $1,050 Price as tested: $23,290 Dealers: Quebec: 29 Canada: 84 © July 2011. All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec .