Video highlights of this vehicle

What Is It?

2005 Scion tC

What's Special About It?

As part of Scion's second wave of vehicle launches, the xA and xB will be available nationwide in June of 2004. As part of that second wave, Scion will begin selling a coupe. The tC sport coupe stays true to the Scion formula by offering lots of standard equipment for a low price. Like the xA and xB, the tC will offer just one trim level with several add-ons available. The most notable option is a supercharger that bumps horsepower up to 200. Standard output for the inline four is 160 hp.

The tC does not share a platform with any other Scion and is in fact based on a European-market Toyota product, the Avensis. Equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels and double-wishbone suspension out back, the tC will be the best handling Scion by far. Other performance-enhancing features include four-wheel discs with ABS, variable valve timing and an available five-speed automatic transmission.

The tC offers the look of a coupe but is in fact a hatchback. The bold and strong-looking front end gives the car a more American appearance than that of a sporty import. A panoramic glass roof is standard on all tCs as are split-folding rear seats that can also be reclined 45 degrees. Other standard features include all the expected power features and a center armrest. Like the first two Scions, the tC will be competitively priced at well below $20,000

What's Edmunds' Take?

This is by far the coolest of all the Scion products. It may even be the coolest Toyota, period. With its distinct coupelike styling, tons of standard features and a cut-rate price, the tC should prove to be very popular. — Brian Moody