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 25.7 mpg.
Every Scion tC engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Scion tC ranges from 25.5 down to 23.7 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $114 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one 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
The Scion tC burns a gallon every 24.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 488 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.130 |
| Fuel per year | $1,561 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,805 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$67 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,542 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Scion tC gives up 7.6 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 29.2 out there against 21.6 in town, a 35% drop worth $463 a year. 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
The tC peaked in 2016 at 26 mpg (23 city, 30 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2006 at 23 — 3 mpg apart, or $193 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2016 car does 26. 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
This page rests on 12 EPA ratings of the Scion tC — 2 engines across 2005–2016. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,542. Full method.
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 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world tC figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Scion tC is $2,542 against the $1,561 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 26 and 23 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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