The 2007 Scion tC is pricier than the 2007 Hyundai Elantra, and not quite as roomy, but it’s also noticeably sportier by a margin of 23 horsepower, featuring an agile coupe body style and generous standard features. There are sportier compacts out there, but not at $5,500.
Is the 2007 Scion tC a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The 2007 Scion tC costs a little more than a typical budget compact, but there are cars that cost nearly twice as much without delivering half the value.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – The ride is smooth and the front seats are comfortable enough. The back seat is a bit tight, and cargo space is limited.
- Reliability 8/10 – Maintenance costs are low, even by budget compact standards.
- Safety 7/10 – Crash test ratings are mediocre at best, but anti-lock brakes come standard, which you don’t often see in a budget compact.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – It’s not the most fuel-efficient compact, but it gets an impressive 161 horsepower without too much loss of fuel economy.
- Value 8/10 – A hidden gem. The 2007 tC is typically priced at the higher end of the budget compact spectrum, but it’s worth the extra money.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2007 Scion tC?
Consumer Reports found the Scion tC to be a boring, but well-rounded coupe, praising the low price point and the generous list of standard features. They had special praise for the car’s quick acceleration and solid fuel economy.
Kelley Blue Book named the Scion tC a worthy successor to the defunct Toyota Celica coupe. They liked the car’s powerful, fuel-efficient engine and low price. They note that the back seat, while spacious for a coupe, may have taller passengers bumping their head on the ceiling.
Edmunds liked the generous standard features, the roomy cabin, the sharp handling and, of course, the low price. They note that the overall vibe of the car is pretty bland.
What Common Problems Does the 2007 Scion tC Have?
The 2007 Scion tC has generated 115 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with engine complaints taking the lead at 31. Driver report excessive oil consumption owing to a defective piston ring. There has been no recall for this issue.
There are 21 visibility complaints on file, with a handful of reports of exploding sunroofs. That is, the sunroof simply pops out of the frame and flies out into traffic.
Structure issues make up 16 complaints in total, with a few drivers reporting the rear hatch wearing out to the point of falling right off the car, and others reporting that it may become impossible to open.
The 2007 tC has only been recalled twice, both times for misprinted load carrying capacity labels.
How Long Will the 2007 Scion tC Last?
Scion tC drivers generally report the car lasting at least 200,000 miles before any major repairs pop up. With excellent care you might get to 250,000 miles, but expect 200,000 as a minimum.
Repairpal estimate that a 2007 Scion tC should cost you a very low $307 a year in maintenance. The most expensive common fix is a new window switch, starting around $453. New blower motors are up there, as well, starting at $393.
Very reliable. It only needs routine maintenance and repairs are very few and far between. Great car!!
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2007 Scion tC is more robust than you might expect of a budget compact released two decades ago. CD/MP3 players come standard, and you’ve even got a customizable welcome screen when you boot the system up.
Safety technology is, likewise, surprisingly generous. Anti-lock brakes come standard, and the car even comes with a first aid kit (of course, most of the items in the box will probably be expired by now).
Is the 2007 Scion tC a Good Value?
Initially marketed as a budget-friendly compact, the 2007 Scion tC is still a good value for the price. The car typically lists for around $5,557, and there’s just the one trim level, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on the bonuses.
If you can find one in good condition, the tC is kind of a hidden gem. When you take the car’s low maintenance and refueling costs and combine that with sticker prices under six grand, you’ve got a pretty good deal on your hands.
What are the Different Models of the 2007 Scion tC?
The 2007 Scion tC is offered in just one trim level, the Base model, featuring:
- Manual air conditioning
- Remote keyless entry
- Steering wheel mounted audio controls
- CD/MP3 player with 6 Pioneer speakers
- Cloth seating
- Anti-lock brakes
- Panorama power moonroof
What Engines Come In the 2007 Scion tC?
- The 2007 comes packed with a 2.4L inline-four engline delivering 161 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive, and it averages around 23/31 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
What Colors Does the 2007 Scion tC Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2007 Scion tC?
The 2007 Scion tC’s front row is pretty comfortable. If you’re exceptionally tall you might find the leg and head room a bit tight, but most drivers should have plenty of breathing room up front. The back row is another story, stretching just 47 inches across and offering very little overhead.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2007 Scion tC Have?
The 2007 Scion tC comes up just shy of 13 cubic feet of storage space. This is pretty much on par for a compact or mid-size sedan or coupe. Don’t look for fold-flat seating or anything. What you see is what you get, which is enough space for four or five medium suitcases and a carry-on bag or two.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The Scion tC ran from the 2005 model year to 2016. The 2007 model was the third edition for the 1st Generation, which was retired in 2010.
2005: The 2005 tC was launched as a spiritual successor to the Celica, featuring standard cruise control, power windows, and keyless entry.
2006: Audio got an upgrade for 2006, with a new 160 watt speaker system.
2007: Extendable sun visors and improved interior fabrics are new for 2007.
2008: Side curtain airbags and torso airbags were made standard for 2008.
2009: Seat fabrics were upgraded again for 2009, but there were no other major changes.
How Does the 2007 Scion tC Compare to the Competition?
The first car you’re likely to compare any budget compact to is going to be a Hyundai Elantra, which is a few MPGs more fuel-efficient than the tC, but 23 horses weaker. The Elantra typically sells for about a thousand dollars cheaper, too.
A Dodge Caliber typically sells for around a thousand dollars less than a tC, too. And it’s the most likely of the three to clunk out before it gets anywhere close to 200,000 miles. And, despite the Dodge branding, it’s very slow to accelerate.
The Scion tC costs more than an Elantra, but it’s worth it if you’re looking for a budget compact with a sporty vibe. It’s no Civic Si, but it’s one of the more powerful compacts in its price range.
Do Owners Recommend the 2007 Scion tC?
Great vehicles. 200,000 miles and counting. Only needs occasional maintenance and always runs in any conditions.
