2016 Scion TC

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Rating7.7

Ranked #5 in 

Compact Hatchback
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$19,385 - $24,340
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Impressive acceleration for the segment and price point

Noise isolation of the cabin is unimpressive

Standard 7-inch touchscreen unit

Spacious cabin with supportive and reclining rear seats

Interior quality lags behind competitors

Keyless entry

Sporty handling and an impressively balanced suspension setup

Rearview camera isn't offered even as an option

Rear windshield wiper

Specs & Features

$20,535

price

179 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

172 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

2.5L 4cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2016 Scion tC Hatchback is a compact hatchback offered in 2 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $19,385. For that price, it mainly competes with the Honda CRZ Hatchback, the Hyundai Veloster, and the Fiat 500 Hatchback. Between 2 trims, the tC offers 2 powertrains. It is a 2.5L inline-4 engine making 179 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. However, there is a choice between a 6-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The tC reaches 60 mph from zero in 7.8 seconds with the automatic transmission, which gets pumped up to 7.3 seconds with the manual. The tC manages a combined fuel economy of 26 mpg. While we’re on the topic of choices, the 7 striking colors the tC comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

The 2016 Scion tC Hatchback is a sporty and cool-looking car in the segment. It is available in two trims while one of them is a special edition (Release Series) available in very limited numbers (1,200 units).

Trims

    Base
    $19,385 onwards
    • Eight-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration
    Release Series 10.0
    $23,190 onwards
    • Intelligent high beams
    • Premium cloth Seat trim

Compare to similar cars

Price

$19,385- $24,340

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.65

Horsepower

179 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

172 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$18,000- $23,950

Gasoline

8

132 hp @ 6300 rpm

120 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

4

Read Review

$18,495- $45,000

Gasoline

8.15

170 hp @ 4500 rpm

200 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

Read Review

2016 Scion TC vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    SourceCompare
    2016 Scion TC

    Ranked #2

    8 sec-
    6.8 sec15.4 sec
    9.5 sec-

    2016 Scion TC vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      2016 Scion TC

      Ranked #2

      23 mpg31 mpg26 mpg14.5 gal.333.5/449.5 mi.
      25 mpg37 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.330/488.4 mi.
      27 mpg35 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/462 mi.

      2016 Scion TC vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2016 Scion TC

        Ranked #1

        176.6 in.70.7 in.55.7 in.6.3 in.106.3 in.

        2016 Hyundai Elantra GT

        Ranked #2

        169.3 in.70.1 in.57.9 in.5.5 in.104.3 in.

        2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI

        Ranked #3

        168 in.70.5 in.56.8 in.5 in.103.6 in.

        2016 Volkswagen Golf R

        Ranked #3

        168 in.70.5 in.56.8 in.5 in.103.6 in.
        167.5 in.70.5 in.57.2 in.5.4 in.103.8 in.
        166.1 in.70.5 in.55.1 in.5.6 in.104.3 in.

        2016 Scion TC vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2016 Scion TC

          Ranked #3

          14.7 cu.ft.88.4 cu.ft.-
          22.8 cu.ft.93.5 cu.ft.52.7 cu.ft.
          15.5 cu.ft.89.8 cu.ft.34.7 cu.ft.

          2016 Scion TC vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            2016 Scion TC

            Ranked #1

            -14.7 cu.ft.-
            34.7 cu.ft.15.5 cu.ft.34.7 cu.ft.
            52.7 cu.ft.22.8 cu.ft.52.7 cu.ft.

            2016 Scion TC vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2016 Scion TC

              Ranked #1

              -3082 lbs.
              1082 lbs.2901 lbs.
              1069 lbs.2679 lbs.

              Top Scion Cars

              2016 Scion FR-S

              Horsepower : 200 hp @ 7000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 25 mpg

              0-60 : 5.98 sec

              #1

              2016 Scion TC

              Horsepower : 179 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 26 mpg

              0-60 : 8 sec

              #2

              2016 Scion IM

              Horsepower : 137 hp @ 6100 rpm

              MPG Combined : 31 mpg

              0-60 : 9.03 sec

              #3

              2016 Scion IA

              Horsepower : 106 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 35 mpg

              0-60 : 9.35 sec

              #4