2016 Scion FR-S Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a review
After years of development and several tantalizing concept cars, the FR-S first became available for the 2013 model year. Toyota had been toying with the idea of a cheap rear-wheel-drive sports coupe for a time, and Subaru came in to help develop a production version, primarily in the design of a 4-cylinder boxer engine. The jointly developed car became affectionately known as a “Toyobaru” and was sold by both Subaru (as the Subaru BRZ) and Toyota's Scion brand (as the Scion FR-S) in North America.
The car quickly gained a following among driving enthusiasts who appreciated an entertaining, rear-drive performance car in an affordable 4-cylinder package. While there were several such cars coming out of Japan in the 1990s, in recent years the only car comparable to the FR-S has been the Mazda Miata. The 2-seat convertible Miata, however, is much less practical than the 4-seat coupe being sold by Scion. The FR-S is a performance car designed for fun rather than putting out impressive numbers on a spec sheet. It’s a direction that precious few carmakers take, but it’s one that appreciative buyers have responded to, and it has made the Toyobaru a sales success in the U.S.
2016 sees the first significant update for the FR-S, and though nothing revolutionary has changed, there are several noticeable cosmetic updates including silver accent trim throughout the interior, as well as a few new colors, a new audio system, and a rear-view camera. These changes also mean a $400 increase in price, but the car still comes in well under $30,000 and still offers more fun per dollar than any other new car on the market—with the exception of the almost-identical Subaru BRZ.
The 2.0-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder in the FR-S makes an impressive 200 hp, but torque is nothing more than adequate at 151 lb-ft, so you'll really have to keep the revs up to get much grunt. Keeping it in the power band is all part of the fun, however. Although the 6-speed manual is a pleasure to operate, an automatic also remains available. The FR-S will get from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, and while it’s not setting any world records, the car is about the thrill of driving; an FR-S is more at home on a road course than a drag strip. Recognizing that the FR-S particularly appeals to tuners and track-day enthusiasts, Toyota has made several performance upgrades available through Scion dealerships, including a cold air intake, an upgraded exhaust system, lowering springs, strut tie braces, brake kits, and anti-roll bars. As for fuel economy, although it takes premium fuel, the FR-S does pretty well with its small naturally aspirated 4-cylinder and achieves 25 mpg city/34 highway.
At around 2,800 pounds, the FR-S is no featherweight, but for a modern car with 4 seats, it's quite trim. Luckily, the interior isn’t sparse, and storage space is more adequate than it looks. Scion claims that the interior layout was designed to hold 4 wheels and tires, a toolbox, and a helmet so it would be ideal for a day at the track. The interior itself is basic but adequate and fairly attractive. A premium audio system is available, but navigation is one notable option that is missing. Navigation does, however, come on the FR-S’s sibling, the Subaru BRZ.
The FR-S comes with 6 airbags, antilock brakes, stability control and traction control, as well as the-new-for-2016 rear-view camera. In crash tests, the car has also already earned a 5-star overall score with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has rated it Good and given it a Top Safety Pick award.
If you want an affordable car that you can drive every day and that will accommodate luggage, ferry the kids to school, get impressive fuel economy, and protect you in a crash, you have plenty of choices. If you want a car that does all of these things but also has rear-wheel drive and will thrill you to pieces on the back roads or the occasional track day, your only real choice is whether to go for the Scion FR-S or the Subaru BRZ.
User reviews for 2016 Scion FR-S
Write a reviewUser rating:
by gregory J
Jan 13, 2024
I presently own a 2015 Scion tC with 6 speed manual transmission and it is the best vehicle I have ever driven. I bought it with 90k miles on it and after 20k more miles it is flawless maintenance wise and performance wise.
That said, out of curiousity, I thought Id see how the so called top of line scion FR-S compared in performance , looks , and practicality.
Verdict: tC is the winner. It has a hatchback with way more space to store things. It is larger overall and is just as quick out the gate as the FR-S. The FR-S is easier to work on and it is easier to find parts for it than the tC, but I dont drive my tC that much(I also own a 2009 Lexus GX470 and a 2002 GMC Sonoma truck so I alternate between the three.Jan 13, 2024
by Chelsea G
Sep 11, 2023
This car is the most legal fun you can have with your clothes on! Loves to corner and the manual six speed is a kick in the pants. Nothing fancy in the infotainment system and I will be upgrading it. It is the kind of car that makes you smile, even in traffic!Sep 11, 2023
by Anonymous
May 01, 2022
A great first car. It’s easy for modding and a great intro into manual cars!May 01, 2022
User rating:
by gregory J
Jan 13, 2024
I presently own a 2015 Scion tC with 6 speed manual transmission and it is the best vehicle I have ever driven. I bought it with 90k miles on it and after 20k more miles it is flawless maintenance wise and performance wise.
That said, out of curiousity, I thought Id see how the so called top of line scion FR-S compared in performance , looks , and practicality.
Verdict: tC is the winner. It has a hatchback with way more space to store things. It is larger overall and is just as quick out the gate as the FR-S. The FR-S is easier to work on and it is easier to find parts for it than the tC, but I dont drive my tC that much(I also own a 2009 Lexus GX470 and a 2002 GMC Sonoma truck so I alternate between the three.Jan 13, 2024
by Chelsea G
Sep 11, 2023
This car is the most legal fun you can have with your clothes on! Loves to corner and the manual six speed is a kick in the pants. Nothing fancy in the infotainment system and I will be upgrading it. It is the kind of car that makes you smile, even in traffic!Sep 11, 2023
by Anonymous
May 01, 2022
A great first car. It’s easy for modding and a great intro into manual cars!May 01, 2022
by Paul D
Oct 28, 2021
Might have to sue the manufacturer because I have not stopped smiling since I got the car.Oct 28, 2021
What users have asked
Trash Dealer
FLORIDA Fine Cars should be removed from Your site. Wreaked cars listed as “No accident reported”
2 views
Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 2016 Scion FR-S?Compare this car
2016 Scion FR-S Pricing
Original MSRP
$25,305 to $29,510Price range
$15,123 to $15,303Average price on CG
$15,123YoY price change
$15,303 to $15,123Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single 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 · 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
Door sill trim: scuff plate · 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 armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Easy entry: manual driver and passenger seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · 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 · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.10
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
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: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · 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 · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 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
Door sill trim: aluminum · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · 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 · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.10
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper 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: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
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: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · 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