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2008 Scion tC Quality Review

August 19, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

smart, upscale interior
Car and Driver

Lexus-like in its execution
Kelley Blue Book

Modest cargo volume when backseat is raised
Cars.com

a solid Best Buy
ConsumerGuide

controls are Toyota logical and well placed
Motor Trend

few better values
MyRide.com

Its only coupe compromise being a lack of headroom, the 2008 Scion tC impresses with its blend of fantastic materials, ergonomics, and comfort.

“Front-seat passengers enjoy ample head and legroom," says Kelley Blue Book, but Cars.com and most others report that “front headroom is marginal.” ConsumerGuide likes “the firm seats with snug side bolsters” and points out that “the driver seat adjusts for height and thigh support--a nice touch--but legroom is only adequate, and headroom is tight for taller adults.”

By coupe standards, many consider the rear respectable, though it's even more problematic in the headroom department. “The 60/40 split rear seats are roomy and comfy for two,” remarks Car and Driver, but “headroom is lacking due to the glass ceiling and long, sleek hatch.” Edmunds attests that “rear riders will also enjoy the split seat backs that can individually recline up to 45 degrees.”

Value, fit and finish, and ergonomics have long been Toyota hallmarks, and Toyota’s ownership of Scion shows throughout the tC. Car and Driver praises the “smart, upscale interior with rich fabrics, plastics, and metallic-look accents,” and is pleasantly surprised that “the large HVAC knob actually is aluminum.” “Fit and finish are flawless, right down to the seamless dash-mounted airbag,” gushes Kelley Blue Book. They and others appreciate the instrument cluster that is “neatly arranged into three separate circular housings” and the center stack that “is covered with a silver finish,” finding the treatment far more appealing than the strange center-pod speedo in Scion’s other models.

That all of this goodness is available starting south of $18,000 is remarkable. “Even with XM Satellite Radio, an automatic transmission, DVD navigation, premium audio and upgraded wheels, the tC remains well under $25,000,” points out Kelley Blue Book, who expect “the tC to retain one of the highest resale values in its class” over a four-year period.

Conclusion

The 2008 Scion tC sports remarkable interior quality but unremarkable passenger space.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:smart, upscale interiorCar and DriverLexus-like in its executionKelley Blue BookModest cargo volume when backseat is raisedCars.coma solid Best BuyConsumerGuidecontrols are Toyota logical and well placedMotor Trendfew better valuesMyRide.com Its only coupe compromise being a lack of headroom, the 2008 Scion tC impresses with its blend of fantastic materials, ergonomics, and comfort. “Front-seat passengers enjoy ample head and legroom," says Kelley Blue Book, but Cars.com and most others report that “front headroom is marginal.” ConsumerGuide likes “the firm seats with snug side bolsters” and points out that “the driver seat adjusts for height and thigh support--a nice touch--but legroom is only adequate, and headroom is tight for taller adults.” By coupe standards, many consider the rear respectable, though it's even more problematic in the headroom department. “The 60/40 split rear seats are roomy and comfy for two,” remarks Car and Driver, but “headroom is lacking due to the glass ceiling and long, sleek hatch.” Edmunds attests that “rear riders will also enjoy the split seat backs that can individually recline up to 45 degrees.” Value, fit and finish, and ergonomics have long been Toyota hallmarks, and Toyota’s ownership of Scion shows throughout the tC. Car and Driver praises the “smart, upscale interior with rich fabrics, plastics, and metallic-look accents,” and is pleasantly surprised that “the large HVAC knob actually is aluminum.” “Fit and finish are flawless, right down to the seamless dash-mounted airbag,” gushes Kelley Blue Book. They and others appreciate the instrument cluster that is “neatly arranged into three separate circular housings” and the center stack that “is covered with a silver finish,” finding the treatment far more appealing than the strange center-pod speedo in Scion’s other models. That all of this goodness is available starting south of $18,000 is remarkable. “Even with XM Satellite Radio, an automatic transmission, DVD navigation, premium audio and upgraded wheels, the tC remains well under $25,000,” points out Kelley Blue Book, who expect “the tC to retain one of the highest resale values in its class” over a four-year period. ConclusionThe 2008 Scion tC sports remarkable interior quality but unremarkable passenger space.  2008 SCION TC STYLING | [8 out of 10] Car and Driver: “Handsome and intuitive dash controls” Motor Trend: “A hatchback hidden within a coupe form” MyRide.com: “too refined for the coolness factor of the brand” Autoblog: “striking in person” Sleek and restrained, yet taut and sporty, ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

For 2008, the Ford Focus is available in a new coupe body style; with a more distinctive, quieter interior than before and more available convenience features, such as the SYNC communications and entertainment interface, the Focus offers a very compelling package for the money, even if it isn’t as much fun to drive as the 2008 Scion tC. The Honda Civic coupe feels sportier than the Focus and the tC, but its engine isn’t as torquey for ordinary driving, and its interior feels a bit more cramped. Like the tC, it’s also quite loud inside on coarse surfaces. The Pontiac G5 and Hyundai Tiburon might also be worth consideration, but both of them feel rather outdated for different reasons. The interior of the G5 feels subpar in appearance and quality, while the Tiburon sacrifices a lot of interior space for a curvaceous exterior shape that is no longer in vogue.

Next Steps:

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See the Scion tC in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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