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By Anita And Paul LienertDetroit Newspapers
September 15, 2004
SHE: I always feel slightly embarrassed to rave about Scion products. After all, this is the Toyota Motor Co.p. brand aimed at kids in high school and college. In fact, the Scion people can be found in frat house parking lots and at football games, scoping out the competition and what young people do to customize their vehicles. But don't kid yourself. Products like the Scion tC aren't kid stuff. The newest model is a sophisticated, substantial vehicle that ought to appeal to a wide range of ages. HE: Funny, but I have yet to see a young person take a second look at the tC. But I walked out our front door last week to find the slightly older woman from the next block --I believe she's the mother of three -- ogling the sleek black-cherry tC in our driveway. When I told her that prices start at around $16,500, she almost flipped. And that was pretty much my reaction when I first saw the tC on display last January at the Detroit show. When I finally drove it earlier this year, it only reinforced my initial impression. I know it's only September, but the tC is already on my short list for Detroit News Car of the Year. SHE: You almost feel like you're ripping off Toyota if you buy a tC. They've put so much great stuff on this vehicle, things you don't normally get on a Chevrolet Cavalier or a Honda Civic, that you want to buy it before Toyota realizes what a terrible mistake it's made and raises the price. How many under-$20,000 vehicles come with a standard driver's-knee air bag? Or rear seats that recline and fold flat? Or a standard sunroof and 17-inch wheels and tires? HE: The standard equipment level is phenomenal, although I'm puzzled as to why Toyota would make the sunroof and that silly knee bag standard, then make you pay $650 extra for side air bags and side-curtain bags, which are really life-savers. But then I'm astonished by other features, like the big twin-cam 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 160 horsepower and is substantially larger and more powerful than the puny 1.8-liter unit in the Toyota Celica. It really is a blast to drive. Handling is about average for the class; I'd say the power steering even feels a bit over-assisted at higher speeds. But the ride comfort is truly remarkable, like that of a much larger car. SHE: The one thing that would hold me back from buying this car is the instrument panel, with those amber-lit gauges. I noticed that the duskier it got at night, the harder they were to read. The optional $395 Pioneer audio system with the six-disc CD changer has a similar problem in that the controls are extremely difficult to decipher. I was also puzzled that the Pioneer system lets you change display colors, but the tangerine and amethyst read-outs on the stereo clash with the amber gauges. Yuck! Maybe if you color your hair with Jell-O and not L'Oreal, you get it. I certainly don't. HE: Wrong demographic, baby. There's not much more that I can think of to grouse about, except perhaps that the rear seat is not really comfortable for taller passengers. Yes, there is lots of legroom, but the massive sunroof cuts down on headroom. The doors are also bulky and heavy, and so is the hatch, which smaller persons may find difficult to close. But there is so much to rave about on the tC, those really seem like minor issues. Especially considering the price. SHE: You can personalize the tC with about 40 accessories, including a carbon-fiber engine cover, silver sport pedal covers and a massive subwoofer for drivers who prefer to feel rather than hear the bass notes from the stereo. The personalization is a bonus. But the main point is that the tC, with its superior workmanship and Toyota's reputation for durability, is one of the smartest buys of the 2005 model year. 2005 Scion tC Type: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, five-passenger hatchback Price: Base, $16,465 (inc. $515 destination charge); as tested, $17,734 Engine: 2.4-liter I-4; 160-hp; 163 lb-ft torque EPA fuel economy: 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway Where built: Japan Key competitors: Acura RSX, Chevrolet Cavalier, Ford Focus, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Hyundai Tiburon, Mini Cooper, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Pontiac Sunfire, Saturn Ion, Toyota Camry Solara, Toyota Celica, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen New Beetle 12-month insurance cost, estimated by AAA Michigan*: $1,283 (*Rates may be higher or lower, depending on coverage and driving record.) Anita Vehicle rating: Likes: Superior product at an affordable price. Exterior looks substantial and stylish. Hatchback provides lots of cargo room. Reclining rear seats fold flat. Gorgeous black-cherry paint job looks rich. Standard antilock brakes and driver's-knee air bag. Standard outside temp gauge. Dislikes: Rear tonneau cover is overly complicated. Doors are heavy and bulky. No rear air vents. No lighted vanity mirrors. Amber-lit gauges rather small and hard to read. Paul Vehicle rating: Likes: Best value in a sporty coupe for under $20K. Terrific standard amenities. Great ride comfort. One-touch up/down windows. Standard 17-inch wheels and tires. Surprisingly quiet. Lots of rear legroom. Lively engine is bigger than Celica's. Dislikes: Side air bags and curtains cost extra. No easy way to pull down hatchback. Not much padding in rear. Too much steering assist at higher speeds. Standard sunroof cuts down on rear headroom. Radio controls difficult to decipher.
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