Scion TC

MSRP (base): $17,620Engine: 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC, VVT-I, 4-cylinderHorsepower: 161 horsepower @ 5,700 rpmTorque: 162 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpmMPG: City: 21; Highway: 29Performance - 16/20The Scion TC or Touring Coupe borrows its structural underpinning from the Avensis (offered by Toyota’s European division) and is available exclusively in front-wheel drive. The quad-wheel independent suspension is characterized by double wishbone in the rear, and supported by high-resistant MacPherson struts up front. This Scion two-door finds its muscle in the Camry’s 2AZ-FE, a 2.4-liter, 16-valve, DOHC with Intelligent Variable Valve Timing. The smaller powerplant produces 161 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm, with 163 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm, that's not so bad for its class. There is a forced-induction upgrade courtesy of a TRD supercharger that bumps the output to 200 ponies, should you want to upgrade and spend the extra dough. However, the base TC sees the brunt of its power in the low end revs and the car remains well controlled by the rack-and-pinion steering. Drag-strip test runs clock a stock TC’s 0-60 mph time at 7.8 seconds, and it runs the quarter mile in 15.7 seconds. These results were recorded with a five-speed manual transmission, but an optional four-speed automatic is also available.