Sporty tC coupe best-selling in Scion lineup

• By STEVE WHEELER
• Advocate Wheels editor
• Published: Jan 23, 2009 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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If you’re one those people who think all Scions must be accessorized and personalized, take a good long look at the smooth tC liftback coupe.

While it is true that some Scion owners feel compelled to add funky

colors, neon lights and other car-bling to their new rides, many owners of the tC may not feel the need.

Vehicle accessorizing is primarily for the younger crowd, and lots of accessories are available for the tC.

But I don’t think you have to buy a lot of extra stuff for the tC to make it a great car.

Scion says the 2009 tC hasn’t changed much from last year’s model, and that’s fine with me. I liked it just the way the factory delivered it. 

But that doesn’t mean youngsters won’t like the tC. They love it, and they love it even more when they can personalize it. In fact, the tC sports coupe is the best-selling vehicle in Scion’s stable. It comes “mono-spec,” which means the tC offers a generous list of standard equipment, so the customer chooses only the color and the transmission.

It’s got a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 161 horsepower. It has a five-speed manual transmission, although an electrically controlled four-speed automatic is available.

As part of my case for the un-accessorized tC, I submit the following list of standard features: a panoramic glass power moon roof, air conditioning, cruise control, exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, power door locks and mirrors, auto up/down windows with jam protection, remote keyless entry, engine immobilizer, auto-off headlamps and a chrome plated exhaust tip.

The standard audio system is a 160-watt Pioneer AM/FM/CD that features a head unit with iPod connectivity and control.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price of my test tC was $17,800. I must admit that I’d “accessorize” the tC with Scion’s $2,010 navigation system, but that’s about it. My test car came with the nav system, a $385 spoiler lip, Scion Security at $469, all-weather carpet and mats for $171. The bottom line on the sticker was $21,455.

Mileage estimates for the tC are 21 miles per gallon in city driving and 29 mpg on the highway. The car hasn’t yet been rated for safety, but the tC comes with front dual-stage airbags, front seat mounted side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, a first-aid kit and a tire pressure monitoring system.

On the road, I found the tC spunky, well-mannered and easy to handle. Sharp curves were no problem, and the car was really fun to drive.