Good or bad car?
Is a Scion TC a good car and will it hold its value? Curious because I am looking into purchasing one....
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2013 Scion tC Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Some compact coupes look small but feel big—the 2013 Scion tC carrying over from 2012 is a case for the opposite point. Leaving behind its bubbly baby-face facade, Scion raked in the roof and cut back on materials quality for the 2011 tC, and these detriments carry into 2013 still pretty much untouched. So, too, do its spirited performance and balanced driving dynamics carry over, with an otherwise pleasing and efficient cabin, albeit expectedly tight given the de-facto sunroof. It's due for a refresh, so look forward to something mechanically new very shortly, or at least a cabin refresh.
The outside of this volume-selling hatch for Scion is a drool-worthy tip of the hat to every dreamy muscle car ever made, from the Corvette to the Mustang, with all of the Celica's mainstream appeal added in for good measure. From the top you see the 'Vette pointed hood, at the side you see hints of the 'Stang raked A-pillar rear, and everywhere else the Celica shines through in all its maneuverable smallness and squared features. A perfect blend of every driving enthusiast's first love, the tC has continued to top Scion's sales charts since the 2011 redesign. Of course, making it all the more enticing are those special kits dealers have in store to customize your new Scion ride.
Inside is still a point of contention for some, but really only for materials sticklers. Sure, the sole engine choice—a 180-hp 2.5-liter four-banger—leaves some wanting a bit more of the pep implied by the cover of the tC, but take another look at that sticker price and re-adjust your perspective. The 2013 tC is a spirited and practical, yet economical, entry-level ticket to sexy retro reliability with roomy seating for 5. Good for 23 mpg city/31 highway with 34 cubic feet for cargo—or ample legroom for 6-foot-friends in the reclining rear seats—the standard 2.5-liter engine sprints this front-wheel-drive machine to 60 mph from a standstill in 7.6 seconds with the 6-speed manual, or 8.3 seconds when coupled with the 6-speed auto-manual.
To be sure, the tC is neither a true sleeper sport nor a sleeper luxe. Hard plastics adorn the majority of the interior, and a few softened touches were added for 2013, but not especially where it counts—namely, the rock-hard armrest. Still the interior is easy on the eyes, if a bit harsh to the touch, as the same sumptuous sense of style carries through the cabin. The smooth and predictable ride is a big win next to its highly practical easy-fold front seats, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, height-adjustable safety restraints for all and convenient compartments in the cargo area. Perhaps if you were to call the tC a sleeper-anything, it would likely be a short crossover ute.
Practical as it is, the 2013 Scion tC is still tech-savvy. Highlights of the standard features list include that previously mentioned sunroof plus cruise control, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, satellite radio and power windows, locks and mirrors. The basic Pioneer sound system sports iPod and USB connectivity, but an Alpine Premium system is available with a 4.3-inch color touchscreen interface and a variety of inputs as well as subwoofer compatibility.
Published May 31, 2022 by Patricia Mayo
User reviews for 2013 Scion tC
Write a reviewUser rating:
by Joshua J
Jan 20, 2025
Really good car drives great interior reminds me of the Scion frs!!Jan 20, 2025
by Sharon W
Jun 27, 2024
Wonderful Car!!!! Fast and fun to drive!! I want another one if i can find it!!Jun 27, 2024
by Oscar L
Dec 23, 2022
Best cars ever made specially the 2 generation has one of the best performance and horse power Dec 23, 2022
User rating:
by Joshua J
Jan 20, 2025
Really good car drives great interior reminds me of the Scion frs!!Jan 20, 2025
by Sharon W
Jun 27, 2024
Wonderful Car!!!! Fast and fun to drive!! I want another one if i can find it!!Jun 27, 2024
by Oscar L
Dec 23, 2022
Best cars ever made specially the 2 generation has one of the best performance and horse power Dec 23, 2022
by Thomas F
Feb 05, 2022
Most of them have been abused and in wrecks, not fixed correctly and they feel heavy like a small tankFeb 05, 2022
by Melissa H
Oct 18, 2021
Scion tc coupe,is super sporty,easy on gas,and is all around a great looking car. So sad they dont make these anymore. Oct 18, 2021
by Steve E
Dec 15, 2020
Its a Toyota so you know its good quality. Excellent value compared to what you usually pay for a Toyota with the Toyota name badge on it. Back seat is roomier than youd expect. Only negative, ride is a little stiffer than Id like, fans of sports cars might not see this as a negative, but is prefer a softer ride. Other than that, a great car so far.Dec 15, 2020
by Julian B
Dec 03, 2020
The car was great, miles werent too high for the price and it was very clean. Im a scion TC fan so that helps also lol!Dec 03, 2020
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Engine
Car engine turned off while idle. Check engine light and oil light turned on. Battery light also. Turned the car back on no lights were on. No warning lights of any kind.
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Scion tC
I like everything about the tC EXCEPT the low profile tire; hate the look. Can smaller wheels and bigger tires be used on the tC?
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Can I use stainless steel rivets instead of plastic push pins?
Hello good community! I'm not sure if this is a model thing, but my plastic fender inner panels keep falling. I've had 3 replacements already. The plastic push pins (OEM pins) fail often and I have to replace them else I lose the whole thing. I was thinking of using stainless steel rivets (on steel body) instead of the plastic pins. Is that wise or am I going to regret it? Thanks!
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Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 2013 Scion tC?Compare this car
2013 Scion tC Pricing
Original MSRP
$18,725 to $21,815Price range
$8,625 to $9,328Average price on CG
$8,757YoY price change
$9,328 to $8,757Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Pioneer · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 300 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.0 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: cloth · Floor Material: carpet · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Easy entry: manual driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: in-floor · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: tilt/slide
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.8 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Pioneer · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 300 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.0 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: cloth · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Easy entry: manual driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: in-floor · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: black · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Running boards: body color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: tilt/slide
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.8 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent