Scion tC vs. Subaru WRX
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Scion tC and Subaru WRX contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Scion tC and the Subaru WRX.
In comparing the Scion tC's and the Subaru WRX's specifications and ratings, the Scion tC has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. The Subaru WRX has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Scion tC's and the Subaru WRX's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2016 Scion tC ranges from $9,477 to $17,997 while a used 2016 Subaru WRX is priced between $13,997 to $27,990.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Scion tC’s base engine makes 179 horsepower, and the Subaru WRX base engine makes 268 horsepower. The tC is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 450 miles. The WRX is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 429 miles. This gives the Scion tC the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Subaru WRX. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru WRX has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Scion tC has the advantage in the area of cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Subaru WRX has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$19,385
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$26,595
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$19,416
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$15,990 - $35,650
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$13,916
Price Range:
$9,477 - $17,997
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
20
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
99,406
# Good or Great Deals:
8
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$20,372
Price Range:
$13,997 - $27,990
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$13,577
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$10,035 - $24,151
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
128
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
94,208
# Good or Great Deals:
32
Scion tC Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Subaru WRX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Scion tC
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
21.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru WRX
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
2.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
2.5
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
1 - 6.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
3.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.6 - 9.8
Scion tC Rankings
Not yet available
Subaru WRX Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 43Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
5 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
12 out of / 21Ranking
15 out of / 43Ranking
18 out of / 43Ranking
19 out of / 24Ranking
21 out of / 43Ranking
24 out of / 43Ranking
31 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Scion tC Trim Levels
Base, Release Series 10.0
Subaru WRX Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Premium, STI, STI Limited
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
2 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
179 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
172 foot-lbs @ 4100 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.058 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
268 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.082 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 31 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
334 / 450 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 27 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
318 / 429 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.1 inches
Cargo Space:
14.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
88.4 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.2 inches
Cargo Space:
12 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
96.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3082 lbs
Width:
70.7 inches
Height:
55.7 inches
Length:
176.6 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3269 lbs
Width:
78.9 inches
Height:
58.1 inches
Length:
180.9 inches
Wheelbase:
104.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.9 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Black
Blue
Blue Streak Metallic
Gray
Cement / Cosmic Gray Mica / Magnetic Gray Metallic
Red
Absolutely Red
White
Blizzard Pearl
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Lapis Blue Pearl / WR Blue Pearl
Gray
Dark Gray Metallic
Red
Pure Red
White
Crystal White Pearl
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Dark Charcoal
Interior Colors
Black
Carbon Black Checkered
