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In a way, it was. Both Xs are based on Toyota Echo mechanicals; the tC is based on the stunningly ugly European-market Avensis (imagine a Camry wearing a poorly-fitting Passat costume). Parent Toyota’s attempt to make the tC look like part of the Scion family is half-hearted at best. The rear has more than a bit of Volvo about it, while the side suffers from a touch of the TT’s. Only the tC’s front end seems vaguely familial. Put the threesome together and it’s clear which children Toyota favors: the little cute ones.

Still, everyone who saw my test tC raved about the styling. Its dimensions are certainly spot-on; the tC offers the speed-oriented driver an alluring size and stance. And I’m happy to admit that it’s a good-looking little car in a budget sort of way— but will you remember what it looks five minutes after you turn away? Wait; let me look at the picture again. Maybe not.

Inside, the tC is even less Scionly. The traditional-looking gauges are traditionally mounted (the xA and xB have funky dials mounted in the center of the dash; perhaps they move left when the cars hit puberty). Goofy lights are kept to a minimum. The tC shares the family’s wikkid sound system, designed to knock low-flying Cessnas out of nearby airspace. The center stack may look like it’s made of the same metal-effect plastic used for Build Your Own Robot kits, but the controls are ergonomically sound. In all, it’s a comfortable, practical place to spend some quality drive time.

To get you up-to-speed, the Scion tC uses a 160hp 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine swiped from the Toyota Camry. Unfortunately, Scion’s engineers forgot to tweak the engine’s fun critical VVT (Variable Valve Technology) for a burst of high-rpm power. By leaving the Camry’s fattened bottom end intact, the tC is powerful enough to escape the xX mystique, but ditchwater dull. It lacks even a taste of the free-revving excitement of its properly fettled, slightly more powerful Celica GT-S sibling.

There’s another way to reach the same conclusion: throw the front-wheel-drive tC into a corner. You’ll immediately discover that Scion doesn’t expect you to know the difference between good grip and good handling. The all-season Pirellis wrapped around the tC’s optional 18” Enkeis provide less feedback than a 20-watt guitar amp. Understeer arrives without so much as ringing the doorbell. Safe, yes. Fun, no

Curb Weight: 2905 lbs.
Engine: 2.4 liter inline four
Engine Type: VVT
Horsepower: 160 @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 163 @ 4200 rpm
Drive type: FWD
0 to 60: 7.5 secs.
60 to 0: 125 feet
1/4 Mile: 15.7 secs. @ 88 mph