The tC isn't as zippy as it looks, but should be adequate for most needs. An automatic-transmission test car timed 0-60 mph in a middling 8.4 sec. An alert driver might get under 8 with manual transmission. Midrange passing power is nothing special either, but a relatively large, torquey engine makes stop-and-go driving less stressful than in smaller-engine rivals like the Mini Cooper. The supercharger option adds useful low-rpm muscle, but will be hard to find. Fuel economy, sans supercharger, is decent, all told: 25.4 mpg for a manual-transmission test car, helped by lots of highway driving; 21.7 for an automatic model, hampered by gas-eating performance tests. And just regular-grade fuel is needed, a big plus nowadays. Road manners strike a nice balance between ride and handling. Cornering is front-drive predictable, and nimble for the size and weight, with little body lean, impressive grip, and good steering feel. Brakes furnish short, smooth stops from most any speed, helped by firm, progressive pedal action. Sharp bumps can send little tremors through the structure, and the available 18-/19-inch tires thump more than the standard 17s; but the tC rides comfortably for a sporty car. Too bad it's not that quiet, suffering marked high-rpm engine noise and fair racket from wind and tires even at moderate cruising speeds. Inside, the tC offers decent space for four adults, but it helps if they're under 6-feet tall, especially if consigned to the rear seat. Entry/exit requires a longish drop front or rear, but that's a penalty of the racy coupe roofline. Another penalty is so-so aft visibility, as the sloped rear window collects dirt quickly and, curiously for a Toyota, has no wiper/washer. But Toyota's typical slick, well-arranged switchgear is on hand-and handy. Drivers also enjoy a standard tilt steering wheel and seat adjustments for height and thigh support. Some of our testers think the gauges overstyled and less legible than they ought to be; others have no complaint. The same applies to cabin fit/finish and materials: judged a bit cut-rate in spots by some testers, terrific for the price by others. Cargo room is OK for a sporty coupe this size, helped by the fold-flat rear seatbacks, fold-flat right-front seatback, and high-rising hatch lid. The optional subwoofer, however, steals space. Cockpit storage for beverages, CDs, and such is plentiful.

Value for the Money
In some ways, the tC seems a bit calculated for its intended audience, and there's a hint of cost-cutting here and there. But even over-40s can appreciate this Scion's blend of sporty performance, surprising space and high feature count, plus the strong reliability and resale values associated with Toyota products. However, it's important with cars like this to look for signs of premature wear-and-tear, so make sure the condition of tires, upholstery, window seals, engine hoses and similar items is appropriate to the car's model year and odometer reading. If they aren't, steer clear; the car has probably led a hard life, which can mean trouble for you. For the same reason, avoid tCs that have been highly customized, especially with cosmetic add-ons that can't be easily or cleanly removed. They lower resale value later on.