The Scion tC was Toyota’s youth-oriented sporty coupe sold under the Scion sub-brand, and it became one of the brand’s signature nameplates. It debuted for the 2005 model year as a front-wheel-drive two-door with a practical hatchback-style layout, aiming to blend affordable style, customization potential, and everyday usability. The tC quickly became Scion’s best-known and best-selling vehicle, helped by its accessible positioning and strong appeal to younger buyers and enthusiasts.
For the 2011 model year, the tC entered a second generation with a more aggressive design and a more refined, upscale feel. That redesign kept the model’s basic formula intact while updating its character for a broader audience. Over the years, Scion used the tC as a platform for limited-edition Release Series variants and special appearance packages, which helped build a tuner-friendly reputation and kept interest high throughout its run.
The tC remained in production through the end of the Scion brand itself. When Toyota discontinued Scion and folded selected models into the Toyota lineup, the tC did not continue under a Toyota badge. Its final model year was 2016, closing out a 12-model-year production run that began with the 2005 model year and ended when Scion was phased out later that year. The tC is remembered as one of the most important models in Scion’s history and as a defining entry in the early-2010s compact sport coupe market.