I rarely call out other sites or periodicals when it comes to their opinions about cars. We tend to keep to ourselves. Different strokes for different folks – and all that mother-jazz; however, Consumer Reports posted a story that featured the Scion tC in a most uncomplimentary way.
You can link to the story (here).
This post was up courtesy of Yahoo Autos and was posted Friday, May 3rd. When I read Consumer Reports’ Cars that are the most and least fun to drive I was livid. They named the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ “most fun” and I couldn’t agree more. Great cars, tons of fun and, perhaps, the most playful new cars on the road. Then they go and call the current Scion tC, “least fun.”
That’s when I said, “Say WHAT!?”
Dude, we placed the 2011 Scion tC on our “Fun rides of 2011” list! You can read it (here). Glancing at their stats and information regarding the Scion tC, I found nothing, zilch, nada, zero indication from Consumer Reports as to why they put the smack-down on the Scion tC. No mention why the Scion xD, xB and iQ were left alone – even though all of those cars are slow econo-boxes compared to the Scion tC.
Don’t believe me? How does 179/180 horsepower in a vehicle that weighs just a hair over 3,000 lbs grab you? Sure, it’s no FR-S, but the Scion tC has a sporty cockpit with one of the meatiest, flat-bottom steering-wheels out there. Grip is excellent, easily as good as any sporty four-banger in this class. The ride is top notch, thanks to its long wheelbase.
Even in its base form, the Scion tC is a hoot through corners, hunkering low and providing just enough grip to get you out of most corners rapidly. The chassis is tight and the torque-steer is pretty manageable. Opt for the TRD (Toyota Racing Development) components, you can have a slick canyon-carver for a reasonable price.
Yes, it’s a superb all-around driver’s car.
Regarding the updated 2014 model: “This appears to be augmentation to an already fun package. As I said, this is a fantastic car, one that defined Scion’s youth market in the past. Is it a better car than the FR-S? God no. The FR-S is a jock with a bent on performance. The Scion tC is a jack of many trades. Any high school/college kid who needs utility to go with some sport (and can’t pony up the bucks for a GTI/Mazdaspeed3) needs to test a Scion tC.” – – FLCar.
Roman and I have both driven several Scion tCs and we enjoyed all of them. Sure, they can’t challenge the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ, but that was never the point. This is a fun, solid, utilitarian car that’s being picked on for no good reason.
Tell us, Consumer Reports, how is the Scion tC a dismal ride? You called it “Least fun to drive” and mentioned others on this list like the Chevrolet Camaro and BMW Z4… SAY WHAT!?
No clue about this one folks. I felt the Scion tC, which is capable of an excellent 26 mpg combined, is being sold short and was selected as an afterthought by Consumer Reports. Hogwash. Sorry Consumer Reports, you’re way off on this one.
Check out this older Scion tC video we shot in Las Vegas!
What do you guys think about this?
