Scion tC

Which Scion tC to buy: version and generation compared by the numbers

If the question is which Scion tC to buy, the data point to two generations of Coupe, each with a restyling, and eight named versions. The first generation (January 2004–September 2010, restyling from January 2008) is the 2.4-litre pair 2.4 AT and 2.4 MT. The second generation (April 2010–August 2016, restyling from January 2014) is the 2.5-litre pair 2.5 AT and 2.5 MT. Same body type throughout.

Which Scion tC to buy: version and generation compared by the numbers

If the question is which Scion tC to buy, the data point to two generations of Coupe, each with a restyling, and eight named versions. The first generation (January 2004–September 2010, restyling from January 2008) is the 2.4-litre pair 2.4 AT and 2.4 MT. The second generation (April 2010–August 2016, restyling from January 2014) is the 2.5-litre pair 2.5 AT and 2.5 MT. Same body type throughout. Same front-wheel drive. Same 55-litre tank. What changes is horsepower, torque, injection, gearbox count, kerb weight, ground clearance, and — where measured — 0–100 km/h and fuel use. Those differences are the buying case.

Scion tC generations: what each step actually changed

1 generation (January 2004–December 2007) is the lightest Scion tC in this catalogue: both 2.4 AT and 2.4 MT sit at 1317 kg kerb, 130 mm ground clearance, 2362 cm³, 161 hp (120 kW) at 5700 rpm, 163 Nm at 4000 rpm, compression 9.6, 92 fuel, Distributed injection (multi-point), 4 Inline cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, No boost, Front, transverse. 2.4 AT is Automatic with 4 gears; 2.4 MT is Manual with 5. 0–100 km/h, top speed, city/highway/mixed consumption, gross weight, and wheel sizes are not measured for either. On paper the two versions differ only by gearbox. Power per litre is 161 ÷ 2.362 ≈ 68.2 hp/l. Weight per horsepower is 1317 ÷ 161 ≈ 8.18 kg/hp — the heaviest kg-per-hp figure of the whole run except the later automatic restyle.

1 generation, restyling (January 2008–September 2010) keeps the 2362 cm³ block, 4 Inline layout, No boost, FWD, and Coupe body, and still offers 2.4 AT (Automatic, 4) and 2.4 MT (Manual, 5). Output moves to 163 hp (120 kW) at 6000 rpm — plus 2 hp versus the pre-restyle 161 hp — and torque jumps to 220 Nm at 4000 rpm, 57 Nm more than 163 Nm (+35%). Compression is 9.8 instead of 9.6. Fuel is 95 instead of 92. Power per litre is 163 ÷ 2.362 ≈ 69.0 hp/l. Ground clearance is 132 mm versus 130 mm. 2.4 MT kerb weight is 1315 kg (2 kg below the 2004–2007 1317 kg); 2.4 AT is 1355 kg, 40 kg heavier than the restyle manual and 38 kg heavier than the first-generation automatic. 2.4 MT is the first tC here with a measured 0–100 km/h: 7.4 s, top speed 205 km/h, and fuel use 11.8 / 8.7 / 9.4 l/100 km (city / highway / mixed). 2.4 AT top speed is also 205 km/h; its 0–100 and consumption are not measured. If the search is “scion tc 2008” or “scion tc horsepower 2008”, this restyle is the 163 hp car, not the 161 hp original.

2 generation (April 2010–December 2013) is the displacement and power step. Both 2.5 AT and 2.5 MT use 2494 cm³ (132 cm³ more than 2362), 182 hp (134 kW) at 6000 rpm, 235 Nm at 4100 rpm, Direct injection (direct), compression 10.4, 90 × 98 bore × stroke, 95 fuel, 6 gears, FWD, 160 mm clearance, 10.2 / 7.6 / 9 l/100 km, 55-litre tank. Versus restyled first-generation 163 hp, that is +19 hp and +15 Nm. Power per litre is 182 ÷ 2.494 ≈ 73.0 hp/l — the peak of the model. Kerb weight rises: 2.5 MT 1393 kg (+78 kg versus restyle 2.4 MT 1315 kg), 2.5 AT 1413 kg (+58 kg versus restyle 2.4 AT 1355 kg). Weight per horsepower still improves: 1393 ÷ 182 ≈ 7.65 kg/hp on 2.5 MT, 1413 ÷ 182 ≈ 7.76 kg/hp on 2.5 AT. Ground clearance is 160 mm versus 132 mm, +28 mm. 2.5 MT 0–100 km/h is 6.3 s (1.1 s quicker than restyle 2.4 MT at 7.4 s). 2.5 AT 0–100 is 7.4 s — the same figure as first-generation restyle 2.4 MT, not as the second-generation manual. Top speed is 210 km/h versus 205 km/h. Mixed consumption is 9.0 versus 9.4 on restyle 2.4 MT. For “scion tc specs 2011”, “scion tc specs 2012”, and “scion tc specs 2013”, these two 182 hp versions are the catalogue match.

2 generation, restyling (January 2014–August 2016) keeps 2494 cm³, 4 Inline, No boost, Front, transverse, 6 gears, FWD, 160 mm clearance, 55-litre tank, and independent spring suspension front and rear. It does not keep the 182 hp / 235 Nm / Direct injection (direct) package. Both 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT are listed at 180 hp (132 kW) at 6000 rpm — 2 hp below the 2010–2013 cars — and 173 Nm at 4100 rpm, 62 Nm below 235 Nm. Injection is Distributed injection (multi-point), fuel is 92, consumption 10 / 7.6 / 9. 2.5 MT kerb is 1387 kg (6 kg lighter than 2010–2013 2.5 MT 1393 kg); 2.5 AT is 1407 kg (6 kg lighter than 1413 kg). Power per litre is 180 ÷ 2.494 ≈ 72.2 hp/l. Weight per horsepower is 1387 ÷ 180 ≈ 7.71 kg/hp (2.5 MT) and 1407 ÷ 180 ≈ 7.82 kg/hp (2.5 AT). 0–100 km/h and top speed are not measured on either 2014–2016 version. For “scion tc 2014”, “scion tc 2016”, “scion tc horsepower 2014”, “scion tc horsepower 2015”, and “scion tc horsepower 2016”, the figure in this data is 180 hp, not 182.

Scion tC engine and specs: every named version

Two names repeat across years. Distinguish them by output: 2.4 AT / 2.4 MT are 161 hp in 1 generation and 163 hp in the restyling; 2.5 AT / 2.5 MT are 182 hp in 2 generation and 180 hp in the restyling. Mixing a 2011 2.5 MT with a 2015 2.5 MT is mixing 235 Nm Direct injection (direct) with 173 Nm Distributed injection (multi-point).

Scion tC horsepower, torque, and 0–100: which version is actually quicker

Measured 0–100 km/h exists for three versions only. 2.5 MT (2 generation, 182 hp, 1393 kg) is 6.3 s. 2.5 AT (2 generation, 182 hp, 1413 kg) is 7.4 s. 2.4 MT (1 generation, restyling, 163 hp, 1315 kg) is also 7.4 s. The 20 kg gap between second-generation 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT (1393 vs 1413) sits next to a 1.1 s gap in 0–100. First-generation 2.4 AT / 2.4 MT (161 hp) and both 2014–2016 2.5 MT / 2.5 AT (180 hp): 0–100 not measured. Top speed: 205 km/h on restyle 2.4 AT and 2.4 MT; 210 km/h on 2010–2013 2.5 AT and 2.5 MT; not measured on 2004–2007 and 2014–2016.

Torque, not peak hp, is the larger split. Restyle 220 Nm versus original 163 Nm is +57 Nm on the same 2362 cm³. Second generation 235 Nm is the catalogue high. Restyle second generation 173 Nm is 62 Nm below that high and 47 Nm below restyle first-generation 220 Nm, despite 180 hp versus 163 hp. Horsepower and torque together: 161 hp / 163 Nm (2004–2007), 163 hp / 220 Nm (2008–2010), 182 hp / 235 Nm (2010–2013), 180 hp / 173 Nm (2014–2016).

Scion tC mpg and fuel: what is measured

Fuel consumption is not measured on 1 generation 2.4 AT and 2.4 MT, and not measured on restyle 2.4 AT. Restyle 2.4 MT: 11.8 city, 8.7 highway, 9.4 mixed. Both 2010–2013 2.5 AT and 2.5 MT: 10.2 / 7.6 / 9.0. Both 2014–2016 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT: 10.0 / 7.6 / 9.0. Highway 7.6 is identical from 2010 through 2016. Mixed 9.0 on every 2.5 versus 9.4 on restyle 2.4 MT is 0.4 l/100 km less. City 10.0 on the 2014–2016 cars is 0.2 below the 2010–2013 10.2 and 1.8 below restyle 2.4 MT 11.8. Fuel grade: 92 on 2004–2007 and 2014–2016; 95 on 2008–2013. Tank is 55 litres on all eight versions. CO2 and eco class: not measured.

Scion tC dimensions, weight, and ground clearance

Wheel sizes: not measured on any version. Gross weight: not measured on any version. Kerb weight, lightest to heaviest: restyle 2.4 MT 1315 kg; 1 generation 2.4 AT and 2.4 MT 1317 kg; restyle 2.4 AT 1355 kg; restyle 2.5 MT 1387 kg; 2 generation 2.5 MT 1393 kg; restyle 2.5 AT 1407 kg; 2 generation 2.5 AT 1413 kg. Spread from lightest to heaviest: 1413 − 1315 = 98 kg. Ground clearance: 130 mm (1 generation), 132 mm (1 generation restyling), 160 mm (both second-generation windows). Chassis items that do not change: Independent, spring front and rear; Ventilated disc front; rear brakes listed as Disc; 55-litre tank.

Which Scion tC version to choose

Buy 2 generation 2.5 MT (2010–2013, 182 hp) if the numbers that matter are peak output, torque, and the only sub-7-second 0–100 in this set. It is 182 hp, 235 Nm, Direct injection (direct), 6.3 s to 100 km/h, 210 km/h, 7.65 kg/hp, 73.0 hp/l. Versus restyle 2.4 MT it is +19 hp, +15 Nm, −1.1 s to 100, +5 km/h top speed, −0.4 mixed l/100 km, +28 mm clearance, at +78 kg. Versus same-generation 2.5 AT it is 20 kg lighter and 1.1 s quicker to 100 on the same 182 hp / 235 Nm engine.

Buy 2 generation 2.5 AT (2010–2013, 182 hp) if the same 182 hp / 235 Nm / Direct injection (direct) / 6-speed Automatic / 210 km/h package is the goal and a measured 7.4 s 0–100 is acceptable. It is the heaviest tC here at 1413 kg. Its 7.4 s matches restyle 2.4 MT, not the 6.3 s manual sibling.

Buy 1 generation, restyling 2.4 MT (2008–2010, 163 hp) if kerb weight and a measured 0–100 matter more than the extra 19 hp. At 1315 kg it is the lightest version. 220 Nm is only 15 Nm behind second-generation 235 Nm and 57 Nm above the original 163 Nm. 7.4 s and 205 km/h are measured. Mixed 9.4 is the highest measured mixed figure. Versus original 2.4 MT it is +2 hp, +57 Nm, +2 mm clearance, −2 kg, and it is the first first-generation car with timed acceleration.

Buy 1 generation, restyling 2.4 AT (2008–2010, 163 hp) for the same 163 hp / 220 Nm / 95 fuel / 205 km/h engine with Automatic 4. It is 40 kg heavier than restyle 2.4 MT. 0–100 and consumption are not measured — do not treat them as equal to the manual’s 7.4 s and 9.4 mixed.

Buy 2 generation, restyling 2.5 MT or 2.5 AT (2014–2016, 180 hp) if the requirement is the last years, 92 fuel, 6 gears, 160 mm clearance, and 10.0 city. Do not buy them for torque or for a quoted 0–100: 173 Nm is the second-lowest torque in the set (only 2004–2007 163 Nm is lower), and 0–100 plus top speed are not measured. Versus 2010–2013 twins: −2 hp, −62 Nm, injection changes from Direct injection (direct) to Distributed injection (multi-point), −6 kg. 2.5 MT at 1387 kg is the lighter 2014–2016 car; 2.5 AT at 1407 kg is 20 kg more.

Buy 1 generation 2.4 AT or 2.4 MT (2004–2007, 161 hp) only if the brief is the original 2362 cm³, 161 hp, 163 Nm, 92 fuel, 1317 kg, 130 mm car. They share one kerb weight. The only listed difference is Automatic 4 versus Manual 5. Horsepower is the catalogue low. Torque is the catalogue low. 0–100, top speed, and mpg are not measured. Restyle 2.4 MT already undercuts them on weight (1315 kg) and beats them on torque by 57 Nm.

A compact ranking by this dataset, not by price (prices are not in the data): 2.5 MT 182 hp for the strongest measured performance; 2.5 AT 182 hp for the same engine with Automatic 6; restyle 2.4 MT 163 hp for lowest mass and a still-measured 7.4 s; restyle 2.4 AT 163 hp when the 220 Nm engine is wanted without a measured 0–100; 2014–2016 2.5 MT / 2.5 AT 180 hp for the late 2.5 with 92 fuel and without a 0–100 figure; 2004–2007 2.4 AT / 2.4 MT 161 hp for the first cars, with the fewest measured performance and economy numbers in the catalogue.