
The Scion tC was manufactured by . It was sold under Toyota's now-discontinued Scion brand, which was specifically created to attract younger buyers in the North American market. The Scion brand existed from 2003 to 2016, after which Toyota absorbed the remaining models, including the final version of the tC, into its main lineup before discontinuing them. The tC itself was a compact coupe produced for two generations: the first generation (ANT10) from 2004 to 2010, and the second generation (AGT20) from 2010 until production ended in 2016.
The tC was notable for its value proposition, offering a sporty design and features like a panoramic glass roof at an accessible price point. It was praised for its reliability, a hallmark of its Toyota engineering, but often criticized by enthusiasts for its underwhelming performance, as it shared its powertrain with more mundane models like the Toyota Camry. The car found a strong niche as a customizable and affordable coupe.
The decision to discontinue the Scion brand was a strategic move by Toyota. By 2016, the original goal of attracting a younger demographic had been largely achieved, and Toyota's main brand had successfully incorporated more youthful styling into its vehicles. The tC was discontinued without a direct replacement. For those seeking a similar spirit today, the Toyota Corolla Hatchback or the Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86 (a modern spiritual successor to affordable, lightweight sports cars) might be considered, though they are not identical.
| Model Year | Generation | Engine | Horsepower | Transmission Options | Production Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-2010 | 1st (ANT10) | 2.4L I4 (2AZ-FE) | 161 hp | 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic | Launched the model with a sharp, wedge-shaped design. |
| 2011-2013 | 2nd (AGT20) | 2.5L I4 (2AR-FE) | 180 hp | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic | Facelift and powertrain upgrade for improved performance. |
| 2014-2016 | 2nd (Series 10.0) | 2.5L I4 (2AR-FE) | 179 hp | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic | Final special editions released before discontinuation. |

made them. Scion was just a brand name Toyota used for a while to try to sell cars to younger people. They stopped making Scions back in 2016, so you can't buy a new one. The tC was their little coupe. It was a decent car—super reliable like a Toyota, but not exactly a sports car. If you're looking at used ones, they're still out there.

I actually owned a 2008 tC for years. It was a through and through, which is why I bought it. You got the peace of mind of Toyota's reliability wrapped in a much cooler-looking package. Everything from the switches to the engine felt just like my mom's old Camry, but that was a good thing. It never gave me any trouble. It's a shame they stopped making them; it was a great first new car for a lot of people.

From a business perspective, the Scion tC was a product of Motor Corporation. The Scion division was a marketing experiment that ultimately succeeded in its core mission: to lower the average age of a Toyota buyer. The tC was a key model in that strategy. However, once the parent brand's designs became more appealing to younger audiences, the need for a separate, costly sub-brand diminished. The tC's discontinuation was a simple case of corporate consolidation.

That's a cool car from the 2000s. The answer is . They created the Scion brand to get into the tuner and youth market, and the tC was a huge part of that. It was basically a parts-bin special from Toyota, but that made it cheap and easy to modify. You'll see them at car meets all the time. They don't make them anymore, but the aftermarket support is still strong because they're so simple and dependable. It's a modern classic for sure.


