2014 Scion FR-S Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$24,700 to $27,400

Original MSRP

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expert review

4.5

avg user rating

(8 reviews)
2014 Scion FR-S Preview summaryImage

Everyone was talking about the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ when they debuted last year, rare entrants into the “actual sports car” field that is so dismally empty of late. Since then, everyone has been talking about the differences between the two, and more specifically, which is better.

It’s a difficult question, leading to many a maniacal scavenger hunt looking for differences in options, materials and application, but one worth asking. While the Subaru has it over the FR-S with regard to features and finish, the Scion has a couple of key points going for it: It’s cheaper, and it’s scarier to drive.

No, scary isn’t usually considered a boon in the automotive industry. In fact, many a car has met its demise at the application of such terms. But for every Corvair pushed out of showrooms for fear, there’s a Cobra and an air-cooled 911 waiting to take its place. Fear is engaging, and people want to enjoy driving a car like the FR-S.

So how is it scarier? While Subaru was unwilling to risk its reputation for predictable stability, Toyota/Scion felt free to apply a more aggressive suspension and steering setup for the FR-S, a combination which leads to more oversteer and aggressive turn-in. For those familiar with the rewards of rear-wheel drive, this means more tail-happy, wheel-spinning, smile-inducing fun than in the BRZ!

Perhaps because of this, Toyota has added some extra knee padding to the doors and the center console to protect legs flopping side-to-side during more… ahem… spirited maneuvers. Toyota also added a newly standard 6.1-inch touchscreen display—something you’ll find now standard across the Scion range—and now you can optionally add a premium audio system with navigation, previously unavailable in the FR-S but optional for the BRZ.

For all this extra, you’ll suffer a slight price increase over last year of just over $500. Of course, you’ll still be getting a lot of car for the money, especially one that’s just so fun to drive. With its 200-hp, 2-liter boxer 4-cylinder attached to your choice of 6-speed transmissions, all you’ll hope for is a bit more torque than the 151 lb-ft offered. But this is a high-revving 4-cylinder, with a redline of 7,400 rpm. Treat it like it just took the last cookie, and you’ll do just fine.

In fact, the FR-S sports some cloth-covered front bucket seats designed to keep you safely in place no matter how rowdy you get behind the wheel, even if you’re long of leg or high of head. Rear seats shine as well and can even accommodate those reaching 6 feet tall. You won’t get the HID lights of the BRZ or the leather/alcantara upholstery, or the start/stop or keyless start either, but some say the FR-S has it over the BRZ in style, with more attractive standard trim, a larger front grille opening and a body-hugging rear spoiler that makes the straight-line example in the BRZ look like an afterthought.

Unfortunately, both vehicles suffer from electronic-assist steering. Precise, but uncommunicative—a fatal flaw in a car where the driving feel is paramount to its purpose. At the very least, you’ll be able to enjoy standard climate control, keyless entry and Bluetooth, but those seem silly additions to a car meant to be driven, not ridden in.

Michael Perkins
Published May 31, 2022 by Michael Perkins
A CarGurus contributor since 2008, Michael started his career writing about cars with the SCCA - winning awards during his time as editor of Top End magazine. Since then, his journalistic travels have taken him from NY to Boston to CA, completing a cross-country tour on a restored vintage Suzuki. While his preference is for fine German automobiles - and the extra leg room they so often afford - his first automobile memories center around impromptu Mustang vs. Corvette races down the local highway, in the backseat of his father's latest acquisition.

User reviews for 2014 Scion FR-S

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User rating:
by Malakhi J
Feb 06, 2024
Pretty nice and reliable for decent price Feb 06, 2024
by John M
Oct 19, 2023
A clone of Toyota Celica, which I loved! Some good improvements, but dont feel secure with just a Fob and no key. Standard with 6 forward takes time for friendship!Oct 19, 2023
by Robert P
Dec 25, 2022
I gave the car 4 out of 5 stars as the cars raw power is not impressive. A compact sports car should have above average acceleration at least to highway speed. Considering how Great the car handles is why I would buy one. The standard backup camera, sport race style seats & sculptured body lines are to me are signs of a much costlier vehicle. Great basic rear drive sports car for a tuner to start with at an affordable price point. Or an old geezer like me to enjoy twisty roads without getting speeding tickets. Dec 25, 2022

2014 Scion FR-S Pricing

Original MSRP
$24,700 to $27,400
Price range
$13,393 to $13,885
Average price on CG
$13,529
YoY price change
$13,885 to $13,529

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front 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 · Premium Brand: Pioneer · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 300 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.4 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: drivers seat · Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.10 · Limited slip differential: rear

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Window trim: black

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 6.1 in.

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure

Lights

Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: manual folding

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear seat folding: one-piece · Upholstery: cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 13.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.5

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 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 14 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link

Telematics

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: summer performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Pioneer · HD radio · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 300 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.4 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: drivers seat · Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.10 · Limited slip differential: rear

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: black

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 6.1 in.

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: heated

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear seat folding: one-piece · Upholstery: leather

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 13.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.5

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 18 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 14 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link

Telematics

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: summer performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse

See all trims (2)