why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2007 Scion tC

Please enter a valid mileage

View all 3 photos

Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 Scion tC

Overview

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2007 Scion tC Review

By KBB.com Editors

The Scion tC has proven to be everything its competitors feared. Smartly styled, fuel-efficient and a blast to drive, the little tC is more than just a good value—it has become the poster child for the lucrative aftermarket parts and customization crowd. Though not as space-efficient as the xA or xB, the tC can comfortably fit two adults and its versatile hatch design makes it easy to load in sports equipment or overnight gear. A near-flawless repair history and excellent resale value are but part of the tC's early success stories. By holding the tC's price well below $18,000, Scion has grabbed a substantial chunk of the all-important youth market, grabbing young buyers who may likely move up to Toyota and Lexus brands as they grow older.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you've been a long-time fan of Toyota's now defunct Celica coupe, you'll like what Scion has done with the tC. Its robust power, long list of standard equipment and low base price are exactly what young consumers are looking for in a fuel-efficient sports car.

You May Not Like This Car If...

The tC is long on style, but short on rear-seat headroom. At a certain age, you might think the interior is a little too hip—and colorful at night. Drivers taller than six feet may feel cramped behind the wheel.

What's Significant About This Car?

The big news for 2007 is the introduction of the bare-bones Scion tC SPEC Package. Designed specifically for the tuner who wants a "clean slate," the SPEC Package includes steel-rimmed wheels with wheel covers, unique front-end treatments and a lower base price.

Driving the tC

Driving Impressions The tC has inherited much from its Toyota and Lexus heritage. The 2.4-liter engine sings sweetly, with plenty of pulling power, and the five-speed manual delivers crisp, short shifts. Handling...

and braking are also well above average, making the tC a very fun car indeed. Front-seat passengers enjoy ample head and legroom, but the rear passengers will have to stoop if they're over six feet tall. The rear area is better utilized by folding down the seats, creating a large cargo hold; the front seat also folds flat, allowing longer items such as surfboards to be stowed with the rear hatch closed.

Favorite Features

iPod Compatibility
The optional iPod connector allows you to control your iPod via the radio. The system is hidden beneath the center console armrest and continually supplies power to the iPod.

LED Interior Light Package
The optional LED interior light package fills the foot wells with neat blue lighting.

2007 Scion tC Details

Interior

The tC's interior is Lexus-like in its execution. Fit and finish are flawless, right down to the seamless dash-mounted airbag. New for 2007 are the addition of sun visor extensions and a tire-pressure monitoring system. The instrument cluster is neatly arranged into three separate circular housings, and the center stack is covered with a silver finish. A large aluminum knob is used to control the climate system, and above it resides a Pioneer CD/MP3 player hidden behind a flip-up panel. The front seats are properly supportive, with nice side bolsters and new fabrics. The placement of the clutch, brake and accelerator pedals, however, is unusually close.

Exterior

The tC exterior is handsome, but not revolutionary. From the front, the tC resembles a coupe version of Volvo's new S40, with a set of lighted eyebrows borrowed from BMW. Around back, the sleek hatch and side windows look a bit like an Acura. A unique item is the massive panorama moonroof included as standard equipment on every car. The new SPEC Package removes the sporty wheels and rear spoiler, but offers a number of front end treatment options to please the most demanding tuner.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The tC has a 161-horsepower 2.4-liter engine, five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, rear defroster, power door locks, power windows, remote keyless entry, tire-pressure monitoring system, power hatch release, automatic halogen headlamps, dual power mirrors, power panorama moonroof, AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3, left-side knee airbag, cruise control, tilt wheel with audio touch controls and alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Options include a four-speed automatic transmission, stainless steel exhaust, carbon fiber trim, ground effects kit, under-dash interior light kit, six-disc CD changer, Bazooka subwoofer, front-side and side-curtain airbags and a host of dealer-installed options.

Under the Hood

Unlike the xA and xB, the tC gets a big dose of power in the form of a 16-valve 2.4-liter engine. The tC is not as quick as some of its turbocharged rivals, but most people should be pleased with the car's combination of good acceleration and great gas mileage.

2.4-liter in-line 4
161 horsepower @ 5700 rpm
163 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/30 (manual), 23/31 (automatic)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Scion tC vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2007 Scion tC Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.2

Out of 10

Based on 628 Ratings for the 2005 - 2010 models.

Review this car

Value

9.4/10

Quality

9.2/10
Reliability

9.5/10

Performance

9.3/10
Comfort

9.0/10

Styling

9.4/10

The engine , the style, mileage is good ...

By d.louise (CA) on Sunday, June 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 133,800

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 7/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 6

"It's like a snap on model car, it has had several annoying things go wrong , the sunroof sticks , the latch on the trunk broke off, the molding on the rear window has come off , window went off track, cruise control has a short,And to top it all off it won't pass California SMOG,It has 3 cats @700$+ apiece It;s a cute car, drives great, I bought it in May 06 picked it up on 6-6-06, I believe it came w/ gremlins ............."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

The engine , the style, mileage is good ...

By d.louise (CA) on Sunday, June 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 133,800

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 7/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 6

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Love my Scion!

By Chrissy (TN) on Thursday, June 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 77,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Everything."

Cons: "Guard over trunk latch can be too easily broken."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"The ONLY issue I have with my tC is the guard over the trunk latch broke off. It's flimsy and just not the right design for this AWESOME car."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Great car

By Hzbrown (AL) on Thursday, April 25, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 120,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Everything is great"

Cons: "Glass roof"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"This is a great over all car I have owned mine for a little over 2 months the only thing I hate about it is that it gets really hot on the inside my friend was telling me that he had a thermometer on the inside of his car it was 90 degrees outside and it melted the thermometer on the inside at 140 degrees"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

I consider my car as one of my best friends!

By Cat (SC) on Friday, March 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 186,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Reliability, customizeability, fun"

Cons: "tires are always needing replacing"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought my TC with 11 miles on it in September of 2005 and now (03/28/2013) I have 186,000 miles on it and have not once taken it to the shop for any repairs other than replacing tires. Mind you, I am not that good with being on time with maintenance, even once pushing 5,000 miles OVER the 5,000 miles for oil change mark. I absolutely love my car and will buy newer models from now on. Til this day, I keep getting compliments from strangers for my car. :)"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

So happy with this vehicle! LOVE IT!

By steph21 (TX) on Tuesday, March 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 56,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "fun car, good gas milage, super cute!"

Cons: "loud when driving on freeway."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This was the first car I bought on my own 2 years ago after owning a 2001 jeep grand cherokee laredo and its perfect. Today actually I got into my first accident (wasnt my fault) I was rear ended and my back bumper was the only thing that was affected where the guy who hit me owned a kia and his car was totaled. Good gas milage, awesome sunroof and moonroof combo, good stereo system, and surprisingly a lot of space inside for such a small car. The only things that I would say kinda stink is on long car trips the seats can be a tad uncomfortable, and its absolutely impossible to talk on the phone and drive because its so loud when on the highway. Nothing too bad just little stuff. Anyways like I said its perfect to me, couldnt have asked for a better vehicle."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

See all 628 reviews