2005 Scion TC in San Diego

Scion's marketing strategy to date has centered on building word-of-mouth buzz among urban Gen Y trend leaders. The division promoted its first two cars, the xA and the xB, at break-dance tours and graffiti-artist exhibitions. That the "You don't understand me, Dad!" xB has been the bigger seller indicates that Scion buyers do indeed skew to the Dennis Rodman side of the individuality scale.

But getting behind the wheel of the tC, the first from-scratch Scion, probably won't make you want to pierce your uvula, change your name to Ill Dubmaster p, and drive to a rave in the middle of the desert to drink Red Bull and chat online about the Ukrainian DJ scene. Although Scion's marketers, no doubt, would be pleased if it did.

The tC benefits in many ways from being part of the Toyota fold, but chief among them is the parent company's devotion to cost-efficiency. Scion's coupe comes standard with an oversize power moonroof, reclining rear seats, and even a driver's-side knee air bag. The hardware isn't shabby, either, with the Camry's 160-horsepower, 2.4-liter four bolted onto a chassis equipped with four-wheel disc brakes (with ABS), an independent rear suspension, and seventeen-inch wheels shod with Z-rated Bridgestone Potenzas. That double-control-arm, independent rear suspension contributes to entertaining handling that allows some lift-throttle oversteer at the limit. A strut brace stiffens up the front end and aids steering accuracy, while the most sound-deadening material this side of a Lexus makes for a quiet ride.

With a base price of $16,465 and its only options being a four-speed automatic and side and side-curtain air bags, the tC begs the question of whether Toyota is dumping the car to gain market share or stamping the floorboards out of Play-Doh.... Read full article