Scion tC/Toyota Zelas minor change

2014 Scion tC

Scion, Toyota's youth oriented brand was launched in 2003 with two models, the xA which is the first Toyota iST and the xB which is a Toyota bB. Yes, they're both made in Japan but Scion is nothing more of a North American exclusive brand targeted for the younger audience, especially speedo boys. The tC though, although it may be more of a Celica underneath it, this 3-door sports coupe is a wide appeal to the speedo boys in America. It's been three years now since the second-generation Scion tC broke loose with mixed reactions and for this minor change, what can I say?

2014 Scion tC

This minor change is a bit too unorthodox to me. While some say, it draws inspiration from its FR-S big brother, there's one hint of cost-cutting around here because based on the new front face, I can sharply assumed that the new front lamps were borrowed from the facelifted Toyota Mark X (Reiz). Suspicious or is this just a big coincidence? Although I can't say that this new face can be a bit of a fluke, the speedo boy favorite tries to keep itself "red hot" like pizza supper. Wait a minute. Red hot like pizza supper? Aw man, why did I just said that? That's morally wrong to describe that the 2014 tC is red hot as pizza supper. Seriously, pizza supper? I did this sometimes, having pizza for dinner but still this is more topical than having a gorilla in a cake.

Scion says that the 2014 tC loves to pick on a fight against the Hyundai Veloster, the soon-to-be-replaced Kia Forte Koup, and the commoner favorite, the Ford Focus. So, how does it compare? For starters, the tC carries a 2.5 L 2AR-FE straight-4 which develops a moderate 179HP of power, that's more than what you expect than the Veloster, the Koup, and the Focus. And with the starting price of just 20,965 US Dollars, that's more reasonable to buy than the Veloster, Koup, and Focus.

2014 Scion tC interior

2014 Scion tC interior

So, it's a fair choice for the speedo boys who prefer a car that suits their style and consider it a SWAG but how it's like to be a driver's car? To find out, I had to imagine myself eating too much hotdog but be warned. This isn't the hotdog contest for the faint-hearted. The first hotdog would be a pleasant one for me because I'm still on the starved basis. If I'm still hungry after eating one hotdog, I'd eat another one and one minute later, another one! And another! More and more until my stomach says "I'm stuffed", meaning that's enough. Yep, that's exactly how it feels like when you're driving the new tC because by the way you're driving it feels like you're trying to beat Joey Chestnut's record for most hotdogs eaten but sadly, it feels a bit more like...Muscle Man.

Even with the reworked suspension system, it feels a bit more "stuffed" than "starved" and oh! One more thing you may notice... There's this optional 6-speed automatic transmission with rev matching downshifts which allows quicker downshifts on the road. That all seems fine but because real men are always going for the manual, who cares? The 6-speed manual's a standard so this is how fun they'll going to shift these little suckers like a man. Changing gear is all about freedom and with the three pedals and the 6-speed manuals, it feels like that you are in complete control over the car for fun and speedo boys like it too.

So, conclusion time. While the new model may feel a bit more Muscle Man and hotdogs but it's still one of the most enjoyable front-wheel drive sportscars that money can buy. You can forget about the Veloster or the Koup or the Focus. It's this one you can keep and trick if you have the funds to scare the neighborhood. So, would you want one of these or not? That's a simple question only you can answer.

Available colors: Black, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Blue Streak Metallic, Absolutely Red, Cement, Classic Silver Metallic, and Super White.

Photo: Toyota Motor Sales USA