| Vehicle | |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2011 |
| Make | Scion |
| Model | tC |
| Style | 2dr Hatchback (2.5L 4cyl 6A) |
| Base MSRP | $19,275 |
| Options on test vehicle | None |
| As-tested MSRP | $19,995 |
| Drivetrain | |
|---|---|
| Drive type | Front-wheel Drive |
| Engine type | Inline-4 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 2,494cc (152 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum |
| Valvetrain | Double overhead camshaft |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.4 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,250 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 180 @ 6,000 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 173 @ 4,100 |
| Fuel type | Regular unleaded |
| Transmission type | Six-speed automatic |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I=3.300; II=1.900; III=1.420; IV=1.000; V=0.713; VI=0.608; R=4.148; Final=3.815 |
| Chassis | |
|---|---|
| Suspension, front | MacPherson strut |
| Suspension, rear | Double wishbone |
| Steering type | Electric power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 14.8 |
| Tire brand | Toyo |
| Tire model | Proxes A20 |
| Tire type | All-season front and rear |
| Tire size, front | P225/45R18 91W |
| Tire size, rear | P225/45R18 91W |
| Wheel size | 18-by-7.5 inches front and rear |
| Wheel material | Alloy |
| Brakes, front | Ventilated disc |
| Brakes, rear | Disc |
| Track Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 2.9 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 5.2 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 8.0 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 11.9 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 16.0 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 86.9 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 31 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 118 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | ESC off 64.4; ESC on 63.6 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | ESC off 0.84; ESC on 0.86 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 43.2 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 74.7 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 68.8 |
| Test Driver Ratings & Comments | |
|---|---|
| Acceleration comments | Reasonable amount of torque means the car stumbles off the line with traction control on. With it off, the tC leaves with authority, but can't maintain it. Loud-ish engine/exhaust, quick-smooth upshifts, and it went slightly quicker when allowed to auto-upshift in manual mode. Sporty, but not a sports car. |
| Braking comments | Reasonably flat, always straight and with little noise or tire grind. Medium-hard pedal. |
| Handling comments | With ESC off on the skid pad, the tC goes into terminal understeer state where there's nothing for a driver to do about it. With ESC on, a single brake application tucks nose in for slightly better result. Steering offers little to no info. Feels like a spring. With the tC's propensity for dramatic lift-throttle oversteer still intact, it's no wonder ESC is now standard (and can only be defeated at standstill with a lengthy button hold. Good thing, because what starts out feeling sporty and controlled quickly turns into a tricky situation where the rear snaps loose. Leave ESC on and it dabs brakes for safety. |
| Testing Conditions | |
|---|---|
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 70.5 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 57.5 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 1.0 cross |
| Fuel Consumption | |
|---|---|
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 23 city/31 highway/26 combined |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 14.5 |
| Dimensions & Capacities | |
|---|---|
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,102 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,124 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 63.6/36.4 |
| Length (in.) | 174.0 |
| Width (in.) | 70.7 |
| Height (in.) | 55.7 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 106.3 |
| Track, front (in.) | 60.6 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 61.4 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 37.4 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 41.8 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 34.6 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 37.7 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 36.4 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 55.4 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 52.1 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 34.5 |
| Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 5 years/Unlimited miles |
| Free scheduled maintenance | 10,000 miles |
| Safety | |
|---|---|
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Dual front |
| Head airbags | Front and rear |
| Knee airbags | Dual front |
| Antilock brakes | Four-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Traction control |
| Stability control | Stability control |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Tire-pressure monitoring |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | Not tested |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | Not tested |
| IIHS offset | Not tested |
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