2006 Scion tC Review
2006 Scion tC Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- High quality all around, unexpected safety and luxury features, tight handling, spacious cabin, bargain price.
Cons
- A couple of odd design elements, drab styling.
What’s new
The 2006 Scion tC receives a new three-spoke steering wheel with audio controls, and the Pioneer audio system has a new head unit design and remote mini-jack port for portable music sources. Newly available is integrated iPod connectivity, which delivers iPod display information and allows unit control through the audio system.
Edmunds says
With a bargain price tag, a ton of standard features and a fun-loving personality, the 2006 Scion tC is another big hit for the Scion folks.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2006 Scion tC 2dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.57 per gallon for regular unleaded in New Hampshire.
Monthly estimates based on costs in New Hampshire
$197/mo for tC Base
tC Base
vs
$183/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
With the Scion brand, Toyota is making a credible effort to understand the Generation Y market and give it what it wants without pushing it down its throat. Housed within Toyota dealerships, Scion salespeople are instructed to play it straight with consumers -- this means no-haggle pricing similar to Saturn dealers and the ability to get a car the way a customer wants it in about a week. And by offering over three dozen dealer-installed options, Scion hopes to give its buyers unprecedented opportunity to customize their cars on the front end.
Unlike the xA and xB, which look like they could've come out of a comic book (and we mean that in a good way -- we like their funky yet practical style), the Scion tC is a more mainstream design. Somehow managing to look a little pudgy yet sleek at the same time, the tC has a generic rectangular grille, headlamps with BMW-like "eyebrows" and a body that boasts crisp, clean lines. Still, there are a few head-turning elements. One is the deeply tinted glass panoramic roof that features a power sunroof above the front seats and a fixed glass portion above the rear compartment. Another is the set of double-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels that look as good as anything in the aftermarket. Both of these high-end features are standard.
Inside the upscale cabin, high-quality materials abound, and features such as metallic accents, damped compartment doors, multiple adjustments for the driver seat and an outside temperature display further this impression. An elegant "waterfall"-style center stack flows into the center console, and both front seats slide forward to allow folks to get into the backseat. On the move, the 2006 Scion tC feels eager to run thanks to its standard 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine. Borrowed from the Camry, this is a big engine for this class of car, where 1.7 to 2.2 liters is more the norm. With 160 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque, the tC's motor handily beats the starter engines in the Civic and Ion coupes.
Out in the real world, the tC's performance makes good on the promise of the spec sheet numbers. A broad power band means that there's strong pull down low and through the midrange, and when coupled to the sweet-shifting five-speed manual gearbox, the 2006 Scion tC feels sportier than one might expect. Priced under $17,000, the tC is yet another hit for Scion. After all, there's the strong Toyota reputation, the spacious and comfortable cabin, fine build quality, entertaining driving dynamics and plenty of standard niceties. Add in the ability to customize with your own personal touch and there's plenty to like about this affordable coupe.
Performance & mpg
Standard power for the Scion tC comes from a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder borrowed from the Camry, with 160 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. A smooth-shifting five-speed manual gearbox is standard, with a four-speed automatic available as an option. Fuel economy is average for a budget coupe with a 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway estimate for the manual, and 23 city/30 highway for the optional automatic.
Safety
The 2006 Scion tC comes with four-wheel antilock disc brakes (with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) as standard equipment. Side airbags for front occupants and full-length head curtain airbags are optional. Other standard safety features include a first aid kit, triple side door beams and a driver knee airbag.
Driving
The 2006 Scion tC features a fully independent suspension (with a double-wishbone setup in the rear that maximizes interior space) and Z-rated 215/45R17 Bridgestone Potenzas wrapped around those eye-catching 17s. The result is a precise, well-weighted feel and flat, composed cornering. Ride quality is firm, but compliant enough to absorb most bumps and ruts on battered city streets. The 2.4-liter engine's broad power band contributes to the fun with plenty of pull down low and through the midrange.
Interior
Although the Scion tC is a compact car at just 174 inches long, a relatively long (106.3-inch) wheelbase provides more than ample legroom, especially for those riding in the back. Rear passengers will also enjoy the split seat backs that can individually recline up to 45 degrees. Although it looks like a coupe, the tC is actually a hatchback, which means flexible cargo capacity. By folding down the rear seats as well as the right front seat, a load floor that stretches 103.6 inches is created, ideal for snowboarders and surfers. Cargo capacity is 12.8 cubic feet with the rear seats in use and a whopping 60 cubic feet when they're folded down.
2006 Scion tC models
The 2006 Scion tC comes in one trim level and is chock-full of unexpected goodies such as one-touch up-and-down power windows, cruise control, air conditioning, steering wheel audio controls, keyless entry, mirror-mounted turn signal lights, four-wheel antilock disc brakes and a 160-watt Pioneer sound system with CD player and remote mini-jack port that is (XM) satellite radio-ready. The only factory option is a side airbag package, but there is a multitude of dealer-installed options. This list includes a CD changer, satellite radio, a subwoofer and a lighting kit for the footwell, just to name a few. A unique iPod connectivity upgrade is also available, and allows full iPod control, including power and display, through the tC's audio system.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2006 Scion tC.
5 star(81%)
4 star(15%)
3 star(3%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(0%)
243 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
Great car
lk4d4, 04/04/2013
2006 Scion tC 2dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Bought my 06 tC in may 2006 with 53 miles on it, now up to 210,000+ miles.
No major issues what so ever. I still have the original car battery, which is impressive. I did have to add some distilled water into it after 6 years, no big feat there.
I have a short RAM intake, Borla axle back exhaust, which after adding bumped my MPG to about 31-33 hwy.
Most of my driving is hwy, my daily … commute is 60 mi each way. and I drive frequently from San Diego to Sacramento, roughly 550 mi each way. The tC is comfortable enough to drive the whole way with no problems. I'm 5'10".
Very easy to maintain. Easy access to the oil filter, I always check the placement of that on cars before buying.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Great Car
enginerdtrav, 03/13/2014
2006 Scion tC 2dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
I bought my car new in 2006 with 20 miles on it.
I now have put 170,000 miles on it and the only issue I have had is the trunk handle breaking, which is a very common problem.
Other than that it has run perfectly and not cost me an extra penny beyond standard maintenance.
I'm going to keep driving it until the tires fall off which probably won't be for awhile.
I certainly have gotten my … money out of this car.
5 out of 5 stars
Love It!
Melanie, 10/29/2006
2006 Scion tC 2dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
The Scion tC is an absolutely wonderful car. You can't beat the price for the performance. I always have a lot of fun driving my Scion. I would recommend to anyone. I love styling and the way it handles. If you love to drive you will love this car.
3.88 out of 5 stars
2006
djmcruz, 05/11/2010
2006 Scion tC 2dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
MY 2006 Scion tc . ROCKS! 115,000 miles on it. The only thing replaced so far were Brakes,Tires every 50,000 and synthetic oil changes every 5,000.and what ever the services needed. The car does have a couple of squeeks and rattles but in all GREAT car.
2006 tC Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $16,300 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $197/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the tC include:
- Tire Pressure Warning
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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