Toyota’s youth brand, Scion, has updated its biggest seller for 2014. The new 2014 Scion tC is a mild refresh of the existing front-wheel-drive coupe aimed at making it more appealing while it shares showrooms with the more capable rear-wheel-drive Scion FR-S sports coupe. Changes are apparent front and rear, with a new front grille design, headlights and new LED taillights. Inside is largely the same, with some slightly nicer materials and a new standard touch-screen audio system common to all new 2014 Scions.
Exterior The styling has been mildly revised, with the biggest changes coming up front in the form of new headlights, grille, and bumper and fog lights. Scion says it wants to bring the tC more in line with the FR-S, but it more strongly resembles Toyota’s Avalon sedan. Rear taillights have been redesigned and now incorporate LEDs.
Interior Interior materials have been upgraded, and a 6.1-inch touch-screen audio system will now be standard, not only in the tC but also in all Scions. An up-rated premium audio system featuring Scion’s cloud-based Aha infotainment system will also be available, bringing location-based apps like Yelp and TripAdvisor into the car. A new 10 Series special anniversary edition brings unique trim, including a solar-powered light-up gearshift knob.
Under the Hood Powertrain is the same as the previous model year, and consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 179 horsepower mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. Scion has retuned the suspension for more aggressive handling as well as stiffened the body structure for 2014.
Safety The Scion tC features Toyota’s STAR safety system, consisting of vehicle stability control, traction control, antilock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, panic brake assist and a new feature that reduces engine power when both accelerator and brake are pressed. The car also features eight airbags: dual front, dual side bolster, dual side curtain and dual front knee airbags.
