The essential goodness of a true sports car; simple specs and an affordable price; surprisingly satisfying interior quality; unusually responsive automatic transmission
Modest power; intrusive road noise; highly limited back seats
The FR-S adds a backup camera for 2016, along with a new 7-inch touchscreen. See the 2016 Scion FR-S models for sale near you
We'd opt for the manual transmission and little else. Before you go nuts at your Scion dealer's parts counter, we recommend getting to know your FR-S in its most essential form. Find a Scion FR-S for sale
The FR-S ($25,700) is offered in one well-equipped trim level.
Standard equipment highlights include 17-in alloy wheels, dual exhaust tips, LED taillights, a height-adjustable driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a leather-wrapped shift knob (with a convincingly manuallike appearance on the automatic shifter), cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, a 300-watt 8-speaker audio system, HD Radio and auxiliary/USB ports. New for 2016 is a 7-in touchscreen, replacing last year's 6.1-in unit, and a standard backup camera.
For smartphone devotees, Scion optionally provides Bespoke audio, which offers a higher level of connectivity with Facebook, Twitter and Internet radio. Other options -- all dealer-installed accessories -- include 18-in alloy wheels, bigger front brakes, fog lights, a rear spoiler, a cold-air intake, a performance exhaust and lowering springs.
| Coupe | Original MSRP / Price | Engine | Horsepower | City MPG / Hwy MPG | Transmission | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR-S 2dr Cpe Auto (Natl) | $26,405 / $25,085 | 4 Cylinder | 200 | 25 / 34 | 6-Speed Manual / 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | RWD |
| FR-S 2dr Cpe Auto Release Series 2.0 (Natl) | $30,610 / $29,079 | 4 Cylinder | 200 | 25 / 34 | 6-Speed Manual / 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | RWD |
| FR-S 2dr Cpe Man (Natl) | $25,305 / $24,040 | 4 Cylinder | 200 | N/A | 6-Speed Manual / 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | RWD |
| FR-S 2dr Cpe Man Release Series 2.0 (Natl) | $29,510 / $28,034 | 4 Cylinder | 200 | N/A | 6-Speed Manual / 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | RWD |
The 2016 Scion FR-S delivers a full house of old-fashioned accident-avoidance measures. Communicative steering, good visibility and strong brakes give a reasonably aware driver the tools to stay out of harm's way. If, however, you fall victim to a collision, know that the FR-S comes standard with six airbags, including front-seat-mounted airbags and side-curtain airbags. For better or worse, no newfangled safety technologies are offered, save for a newly standard backup camera.
In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash testing carried out by the federal government, the FR-S earned a perfect 5-star overall score. In crash tests carried out by the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the FR-S earned Good ratings in each category except the firm's challenging new front small-overlap crash test, where it was deemed merely Acceptable -- still a strong score but not good enough to give the coupe a Top Safety Pick designation.
| Basic | 3 Years/36,000 Miles |
| Drivetrain | 5 Years/60,000 Miles |
| Corrosion | 5 Years/Unlimited Miles |
| Roadside Assistance | 2 Years/Unlimited Miles |
| Maintenance | 2 Years/25,000 Miles |
2016 Subaru BRZ -- The FR-S's twin offers a slightly different take on the formula. It's certainly worth sampling to see which one you like better.
2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata -- For someone coveting the stripped-down simplicity of a compact roadster, the recently redesigned Mazda Miata remains compelling, and its manual shifter is one of the best we've ever sampled.
2016 BMW 228i -- The base 2 Series costs a few grand more than a loaded FR-S, but it rewards you with superior speed and refinement.
Used Porsche Cayman -- You'll have to go back a few years to find a Cayman in the Scion's price range, but they're out there. The Porsche is a more complete sports car with its exuberant midmounted 6-cylinder engines.
Here are the 10 best used coupes you can find on Autotrader under $20,000.
