The Scion tC does 24.6 mpg combined (21.6 city, 29.2 highway), which works out to about $1,561 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.5L 4-cyl does 25.5 mpg while 2.4L 4-cyl does 23.7 — a difference of $114 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Scion tC engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 22.5 / 30 | 2011–2016 | $1,506 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 20.7 / 28.3 | 2005–2010 | $1,620 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.130 |
| Fuel per year | $1,561 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,805 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$49 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,442 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 21.6 mpg | $1,778 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29.2 mpg | $1,315 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.6 mpg (35%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the tC changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2015 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2014 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2013 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2012 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2011 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2010 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2009 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2008 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2007 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2006 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2005 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Scion tC get?
24.6 mpg combined on average — 21.6 in the city and 29.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2005–2016.
How much does a Scion tC cost in fuel per year?
About $1,561 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,805 over five years, or 0.130 dollars a mile.
Which tC engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 4-cyl at 25.5 mpg, against 23.7 for the 2.4L 4-cyl — a difference of about $114 a year.
Is the tC good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.