Pros: Lithe, agile handling; true sports-car personality; decent list of standard features; good fuel economy for a sports car; affordable pricing
Cons: Some enthusiast drivers will wish for more power; low-slung body and long doors make for tricky entry and exit; barely usable back seat
CG Says: The 2014 Scion FR-S gets a standard touchscreen stereo and the addition of knee pads on the doors and center console for improved occupant comfort. Plus, the available premium audio system gets Aha-based smartphone integration and navigation functionality. Save for its near twin, the Subaru BRZ, the FR-S is almost in a class by itself. It has respectable performance credentials, a fun-to-drive personality, and surprisingly modest pricing. Other relatively affordable 4-cylinder sporty/performance cars include the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. The Mazda is great fun to drive and it is a convertible body style, but it lacks a back seat and can’t match the FR-S’ greater practicality. Though the Genesis Coupe base model costs less than the FR-S, it weighs more and lacks the FR-S’ level of standard equipment. Also, neither of those cars offer an array of stand-alone accessories, and certain features can be found only in option packages or higher trim levels. Enthusiasts in the market for a new car should take a hard look at the FR-S. Besides the standard sports-car vices of a somewhat firm ride, barely habitable back seats, and somewhat poor rear-corner visibility, the FR-S makes up for those demerits with lively performance, decent fuel economy, and unusual-for-the-class levels of comfort and daily drivability.
