A popularly priced compact hatchback coup?,the Scion tC competes with the Mini Cooper,Honda Civic,and other entry-level compacts. The Scion tC is a 5-seater with a flowing,classic profile and a sporty interior. Its maker,Toyota,cites its generous leg room,particularly in the rear. The 2010 Scion tC is unchanged from the previous model year,and might be the last model of its generation,as a redesigned version is anticipated for 2011.

Two trim levels are available on the 2010 Scion tC. The base trim features 17-inch alloy wheels,keyless entry,cruise control,panoramic sunroof,air conditioning,reclining rear seats,and a sound system. The Release Series 6.0,a limited-edition trim,offers distinctive cosmetic features and an upgraded sound system. Factory-installed options are few,but the dealer can add features such as an engine supercharger and upgraded wheels. With the rear seats folded,the Scion tC provides 35 cubic feet of cargo space,according to the automaker.

The standard power plant in the 2010 Scion tC is a 161-horsepower,2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with the standard 5-speed manual transmission,according to the EPA. The optional 4-speed automatic transmission boosts the gas mileage to 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. An optional supercharger can boost engine output to 200 horsepower.

Standard safety features on the 2010 Scion tC include anti-lock disc brakes,front side air bags,head curtain air bags,and driver?s knee air bags. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2010 Scion tC ?Acceptable? ratings in its frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests,and ?Marginal? for rear crash protection. In government crash tests,the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the tC 5 out of 5 stars for driver and front-passenger protection in front-impact tests.

Starting MSRP for the 2010 Scion tC was $17,100.