2013 Scion FR-S Review by Cars.com Staff

2013 Scion FR-S

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2013 Scion FR-S

Starting MSRP $24,500


Expert Reviews

By Cars.com Staff

Cars.com National January 18, 2012

Vehicle Overview

Scion's FR-S brings a new level of sportiness to the Scion brand as a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive coupe built with balance and maneuverability in mind. The four-cylinder sports coupe is a spiritual successor to small performance cars offered by Toyota, Scion's parent company, in the 1980s. The FR-S competes in the same space as the Hyundai Genesis coupe, Mazda MX-5 Miata and the FR-S' nearly identical twin that was developed with Subaru alongside the FR-S, the Subaru BRZ.

Exterior

The FR-S has the traditional sports car look with a long nose and short tail. Its coupe-only configuration keeps weight as low as possible, as does the aluminum hood. The front styling shows off a gaping mouth and angular headlights for a menacing look, while out back, aerodynamic rear styling surrounds the dual exhaust. Adorning the FR-S' side is a badge featuring two opposed engine pistons and the number "86," which commemorate the horizontally-opposed engine and FR-S' predecessor, the Toyota AE86.  

Interior

The inside has room for up to four people with seats mounted low for maximum space. The gauge cluster is driver-focused with a center-mounted tachometer to keep driver's attention on the engine's vitals. A sunroof is purposely omitted from the option list to avoid unnecessary weight. A hatchback body style was also avoided to keep weight low, but the rear seats still fold to give maximum storage space from the trunk into the passenger compartment.

Under the Hood

Perhaps the clearest result of the partnership between Toyota and Subaru on the FR-S is its engine, which is horizontally-opposed. It is paired with Toyota's direct-injection fuel system. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 200 horsepower and 151 pounds-feet of torque that's channeled through a six-speed-manual transmission or six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.  

Safety

Currently, the preliminary information available for the FR-S doesn't include much data on safety features, though an electronic stability system is federally mandated, which requires antilock brakes and front air bags are also required.

Additional Reviews

Cars.com Expert Reviews

Joe BruzekCars.com NationalApril 25, 2012
Cars.com StaffCars.com NationalJanuary 18, 2012

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