All About Japan Autos

Scion’s tC coupe has been in need of a refresh, and for 2011, it got it. Early reviews are a little mixed.

“Scion invited journalists to San Diego this week to drive pre-production examples of the new tC sports coupe — the brand’s most popular model as recently as 2007 and one whose average buyer age, 26, falls closer to Scion’s target youth demographic than the xB or xD hatchbacks,” says Kicking Tires.

The changes start on the outside. “While the new car obviously shares a good deal of basic DNA with the first-gen car, in person we found the 2011 model to be significantly more masculine in appearance. From its sharper and more angular fascia to the steeply cut upward slashing C-pillar that dominates the side profile, it’s easy to see that Scion wanted a more aggressive shape for its latest youthmobile,” writes Autoblog.

Inside the tC reviewers weren’t as pleased. Kicking Tires says the tC has “eye-catching styling and a capable drivetrain, but its cost-cut cabin left me cold.” Car and Driver adds that “the cabin has been done to a price, with hard plastics of various textures comprising the instrument panel and door skins. But the deeply bolstered front buckets still supply good support and the rear seats are cavernous owing to the long wheelbase, with a reclining feature that ensures fewer complaints from the back.”

On the road, reviewers say the new tC is just adequate. “Getting down a back road in the 2011 tC is no problem, as the car doesn’t fall all over itself with body roll or understeer. But that fun-to-drive thing is absent, as the car also doesn’t really communicate with you,” says Inside Line.

Still, the 2011 Scion tC looks good on paper. Left Lane News reports, “Powered by an all-new 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, the 2011 tC might look similar to the outgoing model, but it rides on a new platform. The new 2.5 cranks out 180 horsepower, a 19 pony improvement, and Scion says it is more efficient than before.”

Despite mixed reviews, reviewers are impressed with the all the Scion offers for its base price of $18,995. The 2011 Scion tC hits dealers the first of October.

If you’re in the market for a new car, check out the U.S. News rankings of this year’s best cars as well as this month’s best car deals.