2013 Scion FR-S

The 2013 Scion FR-S Coupe is available in two trims which are Base and 10 Series. The Base is priced at $24,500 and comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, projector-beam headlights, height-adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, CD player, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, iPod/USB integration, 8-speaker Pioneer audio system, keyless entry, and RCA output jacks. 

The 10 Series is a step further from the base. It is priced at 27,425 and comes with all the features standard on the Base. It adds xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, dual-zone automatic climate control, a frameless rearview mirror, illuminated exterior badges, a 6.1-inch touchscreen display, and a solar-powered illuminated shift knob (only available in an automatic transmission). 

Some dealer-installed accessories include fog lights, a premium BeSpoke audio system, various suspension and performance parts.

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The top-tier trim 10 Series adds some exciting and handy features at a small price difference. It is the more desirable trim and our recommendation as well. As far as the transmission goes, the FR-S is best suited for a manual gearbox to bring out the best possible performance. 

The 2013 Scion FR-S Coupe is fitted with a 2.0-liter flat-4 engine under the hood which is sourced from Subaru. This engine is capable of putting out 200 hp and has a max torque of 151 lb-ft. This engine can be mated to a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. The power is delivered to the rear wheels as a standard drivetrain. Something which caught our eye is the traction-enhancing mechanical limited-slip differential which is fitted as standard in the FR-S and is an unusual feature found in this segment. 

The power produced by the engine is sufficient but not as exciting as you would expect. Its lightweight chassis is remarkably balanced which allows the driver to maneuver the car pretty easily. The steering wheel deserves a special mention here, as it is perfectly weighted and offers incredible control around tight corners and mundane driving activities. Although the automatic transmission makes it easier to drive this car it shows eagerness to downshift sometimes. For a soul-engaging driving experience, it is best to choose the manual gearbox. The acceleration is sluggish at low speeds and it is evidently seen in its 0-60 and quarter-mile times. It takes 6.4 seconds to reach 60 mph and 14.6 seconds to complete a quarter-mile which is the slowest among its rivals. 

Among the competition here, the Scion FR-S and the Subaru BRZ have almost identical numbers in this section but the BRZ is slightly faster in terms of 0-60 and quarter-mile times. The 370Z is by far the most expensive car in this segment and it is the only car that is powered by a V6 engine. As a result, it is not only the most powerful but also the quickest. 

The FR-S is an affordable performance-oriented coupe. Despite that, it provides a decent fuel economy. The numbers mentioned in the table below are for the manual transmission. The automatic gearbox does even better. It manages to offer 25 MPG in the cities, 34 MPG on the highways resulting in a combined mileage of 28 MPG. Both the BRZ and the MX-5 Miata also offer similar fuel economies while the 370Z is the least efficient in the segment. 

While the FR-S and the BRZ have a fuel tank of the same capacity of 13.2 gallons, the 370Z is in a different league. It can hold up to 19 gallons of fuel which helps it attain a class-leading range despite its low fuel economy.

If you’re looking for a plush, high-quality, and spacious interior, then look elsewhere. The interior of the 2013 Scion FR-S Coupe is designed to be basic, to say the least, and focusing majorly to enhance the driving quality of the car. Other sports cars in this segment feature a more sophisticated and practical interior but the FR-S is meant to be like this. 

The interior features a lot of switchgear borrowed from Toyota and Subaru. The front seats are comfortable and spacious. There’s enough space in terms of headroom, shoulder room, and legroom for both driver and passenger for long drives. This, however, is not the case in the rear seats. They are cramped and tall people might find it troublesome to sit comfortably.

The Base offers manual air conditioning while the 10 Series has dual-zone automatic climate control. The 10 Series also offers a 6-way manual adjustable driver’s seat and a 4-way manual adjustable passenger’s seat with fabric upholstery.

Another letdown is the cargo space. Its coupe design and compact structure result in next to no storage space in the trunk. It can hold up to 6.9 cubic feet of luggage. This trend is however seen throughout its rivals. The MX-5 Miata and the 370Z offer only two seats and hence excel in front row space. 

Key Interior Features:

• Fabric upholstery with T-pattern
• Dual-zone automatic climate control (10 Series)
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Paddle shifters (automatic)
• Solar-charged illuminated shift knob (automatic)
• Cruise control

How intuitive is the 2013 Scion FR-S Coupe’s Infotainment unit?

The touchscreen display incorporated in its twin, the Subaru BRZ does not feature in the base Scion FR-S. This may seem like a negative but that infotainment system is frustrating to use and we’re glad the Scion has got rid of it. However, stepping up to the 10-series does get you a 6.1-inch touch screen system.

The FR-S features a basic-looking system that is equipped with multiple functions and an easy-to-use interface. This system is paired to an 8-speaker Pioneer audio system while the 10 Series has an optional premium BeSpoke audio system.

Key Infotainment Features:

• AM/FM Stereo
• HD radio 
• iPod/USB integration
• Bluetooth connectivity
• RCA output jacks
• CD player
• 8-speaker Pioneer audio system

For the year 2013, the Scion FR-S has received a complete redesign. It is a sleek, contemporary, and sporty-looking coupe that would largely appeal to the millennial crowd. It has an aggressive stance with a well-designed aerodynamic body. The front fascia comprises a dipping hood, aggressive and perfectly sized HID automatic headlamps with LED daytime running lights, a low hexagonal grille, and uniquely styled fog light housing.

The side profile is characterized by 17-inch alloy wheels, a low ground clearance of 4.9 inches, body-colored power side-view mirrors, and a dramatically sloping roofline. The rear end of the car features a pair of 3D-looking tail lights, LED brake lights, rear lip spoiler, rear trunk access, black rear bumper, and circular dual exhaust outlets. 

Talking about the competition here, the MX-5 Miata has the shortest wheelbase of only 91.7 inches while the BRZ and the FR-S have the longest of 101.2 inches. Every car mentioned above has a low ground clearance below 5 inches out of which the Miata is the closest to the ground having only 4.6 inches of ground clearance. In terms of design though, while the Subaru and Scion are almost the same, the Mazda keeps things a bit laid back while the Nissan 370Z has that sharp Asian design elements that make it look sportiest among the lot here. 

Key Exterior Highlights:

• Automatic Projector-beam headlamps
• LED daytime running lights 
• LED brake lights
• Rear lip spoiler
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Body-colored power adjusting, manual-folding side-view mirrors
• Fog lights (optional)

The 2013 Scion FR-S Coupe with Subaru-engineered ring-reinforced structure makes sure that the passengers inside are safe. The FR-S surpasses our expectations for a compact sports coupe. The NHTSA hasn’t tested the FR-S yet. The IIHS however, has given a “Good” rating in most of the tests. It received this score in frontal-impact, side-impact, rear impact, and roof-strength tests. It has also received the prestigious award of “Top Safety Pick''. Also, it gets a decent list of available safety features, some of which are listed below:

Key Safety Features:

• Brake assist
• ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution 
• Smart stop technology
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• LATCH system
• Traction Control
• Electronic Stability Control
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags and Seat-Mounted Side Airbags

The 2013 Scion FR-S Coupe is an affordable compact performance-oriented coupe. It has no direct competition which makes it unique and a standout car in itself. It offers adequate performance and an engaging driving experience. It lacks technological advancements like other cars in this segment do but that doesn’t degrade its appeal. It is available in the manual and automatic gearbox with the former being the better choice. If you’re looking for an entry-level sports car that is also suitable to be a daily driver, then the Scion FR-S is the right choice for you.