Car news! Scion FR-S Coupe

Scion FR-S Coupe

Full 2015 Scion FR-S Review

What's New for 2015

The 2015 Scion FR-S gets a retuned suspension, automatic headlights as standard, and a few cosmetic changes such as new exhaust tips and updated interior trim. There's also a new Release Series 1.0 trim level this year.

Introduction

When Scion introduced the FR-S two years ago, this coupe immediately became a hit with driving enthusiasts. Here was a back-to-basics sports car with rear-wheel drive, a light curb weight, excellent balance and an affordable price. Two years later, it still offers just as much excitement and value.

The way the 2015 Scion FR-S (along with its twin, the Subaru BRZ) drives is, no doubt, its biggest party trick. This year, Scion has updated the suspension to give you a more stable and responsive feel while cornering, but we didn't think there was any need for improvement to begin with. The FR-S is still extremely entertaining to drive. It nimbly zips around turns, yet it's not intimidating to drive hard like a lot of high-horsepower, rear-drive coupes can be. The FR-S gets pretty respectable gas mileage, too -- 28 mpg combined with the automatic transmission.

You do have to accept some drawbacks with the 2015 FR-S, though. While its 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine is capable, it lacks the low-end oomph provided by competitors with larger engines. The FR-S can also feel a bit insubstantial in the way it responds to road impacts, and seems noisy during long highway drives. It's not the most practical thing, either. The trunk is relatively small and the rear seats are pretty much useless, even for small children. Basically, it's better to think of the FR-S as a functional two-seater.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2015 Scion FR-S is a four-seat coupe that comes in two trim levels.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and an eight-speaker sound system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen, a CD player, HD radio, an auxiliary audio jack and USB/iPod integration. The new Release Series 1.0 adds to that with exclusive yellow exterior paint, xenon headlights, an aerodynamic body kit, a performance exhaust, a lowered ride height, keyless ignition and entry and a special steering wheel and shift knob.

Scion doesn't offer any factory options for the FR-S. Instead, there's an array of dealer-installed accessories such as foglights, performance parts and a premium BeSpoke sound system with navigation, voice command, smartphone app integration and Internet radio.