Scion FR-S

Toyota 86 is a series of sports coupes developed jointly by Toyota and Subaru, two Japanese automobile manufacturers. In the United States and Canada, the series is called the Scion FR-S. The Scion FR-S received a 9.1 rating from U.S. News, and was ranked 1^st out of 10 Affordable Sports Cars. Reviewers state that the FR-S proves that it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to get a car that offers a thrilling performance. It was named the Best Sports Car for the Money because it has the best combination of positive reviews and ownership costs in its class.

Performance

The Scion FR-S received an 8.9 performance rating from U.S. News. It only has one engine available: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower at 7000 rpm to go with 151 pound-feet of torque at 6600 rpm. It has either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission, both of which reviewers love. The engine gets 25 mpg while city driving and 34 mpg while highway driving, which is a better fuel economy than most affordable sports cars. Although there is no real performance upgrades or options at this time, Toyota Racing Development is planning on releasing some upgrades after the car is released, with more accessories arriving over the next year or so.

Interior

The interior of the Scion FR-S received an 8.0 rating from U.S. News, which although is still high, is the lowest rating it received in any category. The front seats provide good support and are aggressively bolstered. They do sit low to the ground but this does not take away from the driver’s visibility. Standard interior features include an HD Radio and auxiliary input jack, Bluetooth, and a USB port. Reviewers like the nicely finished interior, with carbon-look accents and durable, solid plastics. On the center console area, the doors, and the dash can be found lots of soft-touch elements. Reviewers haven’t said much about the cargo space, although it is similar to the Subaru BRZ, meaning it likely offers around 6.9 cubic feet of space.

Pros/Cons

The Scion FR-S offers less power than some of its rivals, like the Nissan 370Z and base Ford Mustang, although it is not significantly less. Critics especially like the manual transmission’s connected, smooth feel, as well as how the automatic transmission fires off rapid shifts (particularly in Sport mode). The FR-S offers nimble and lightweight handling, which test drivers agree make it a thrill to drive. Test drivers also like the strong brakes, precise steering, and terrific agility. Although the small trunk and back isn’t as spacious as some rivals (like the Dodge Challenger), it is more practical than the Nissan 370Z and Mazda Miata. Reviewers also like the driver-oriented cockpit and easy to use controls, as well as the thick steering wheel and clear gauge cluster.

Other Features

The Scion website lists the price of the Scion FR-S at $25 255 for the manual transmission and $26 355 for the automatic transmission. Because there is only one engine option available, and not many optional features, buyers can expect to pay around that price for the vehicle. U.S. News gave the FR-S a 10.0 safety rating, which is obviously sensational. It received a “good” score in rear, side, and frontal impact tests from the IIHS, and also received a “good” score in the roof strength test. Standard safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes, six airbags, and a traction and stability control system. Optional interior upgrades include a 5.8 inch LCD touchscreen display and a new premium audio system that features some apps capability.