Quirky 2005 Scion descending on the booming 'tuner' market

San Diego Business Journal, Nov 15, 2004 by Tom Jensen

Having successfully launched the first upscale Japanese automobile brand 15 years or so ago with its Lexus line, automotive titan Toyota has gone the opposite direction with its latest nameplate, Scion.

The name Scion, according to Toyota, means descendant. In

tins case, the Scion brand descended from Toyota, and the Scion lineup, as well as the Scion buying experience, are geared toward young people.

Scion's mission, according to Toyota, is "to satisfy a trend-setting youthful buyer through distinctive products and an innovative, consumer-driven process."

To that end, Scion vehicles are all sold at fixed price with no haggling or discounts, much the same way General Motors markets its Saturn brand. Unlike its cousin brand Lexus, however, Scion doesn't have its own stand-alone franchises. Instead, the three Scion models--somewhat confusingly labeled xA, XB and tC--are sold only at "select" Toyota dealers that have dedicated space and staff for the Scion brand.

That's the nickel tour of the brand.

Our test car was a 2005 Scion tC, an attractive two-door hatchback that carries a base price of just $15,950. The tC is a front-wheel-drive coupe that competes in the class of a Honda Civic.

Attractively styled, the tC comes with a high-revving, 2.4-liter engine with variable valve timing. The powerful inline four churns out a respectable 160 horsepower.

By the end of the year, Toyota/Scion promises to offer an external supercharger as a dealer-installed option, which will pump up the horsepower by a full 25 percent, all the way up to 200 ponies.

Standard on the tC is a slick-shifting five-speed manual transmission and a clutch that offers rapid engagement. The engine/gearbox combination works well, and the Scion accelerates rapidly and smoothly, with zero to 60 mph taking about seven seconds.

An automatic transmission is optional. To enhance both looks and handling, the tC comes standard with low-profile 215/45-17 tires, with an optional 18-inch tire package available. Obviously, Toyota has geared the Scion to the booming "tuner" market--drivers of small, quick Japanese compacts who like to pimp their rides. To that end, some 40 accessories are optional on the tC to give it a personal touch.

For as few bucks as the tC costs, it comes surprisingly well equipped. Standard features include air conditioning; power windows, door locks and mirrors; MP3-compatible Pioneer sound system with AM/FM stereo and compact disc player; anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes; first-aid kit; cruise control; and comfortable, fabric-covered bucket seats.

My favorite interior feature is the standard panorama sun roof, which slides and tilts above the driver's head and has a fixed glass panel in the back seat. Be forewarned, though:

The tC's fairly diminutive size and sunroof encroach on headroom for tall drivers. In terms of driving experience, the tC is quick, nimble and engaging, without having the kind of punishing ride some small cars deliver. It handles well and has style to spare, inside and out.

The tC is a different direction for Toyota, to be sure, but provides outstanding value and a fair amount of fun. For a first car, or maybe a car to take to college, it should be a huge hit.

Tom Jensen is the managing editor of National Speed Sport News and is based in Charlotte, N.C.

Scion tC

Base price/as tested: $15,950/$18,339. Type: Front-wheel-drive hatchback. Engine: 2.4-liter, four-cylinder. Horsepower: 160. Torque: 163 pounds-feet. Weight: 2,905 pounds. Fuel mileage: 22 city/29 highway.