The Scion tC has a grocery list of features longer than the line up at the DMV, but comparing the specs isn’t going to help you make a decision you won’t regret.

We had our hands on the tC for about two weeks and we can honestly say our only complaint was that we had to give it back so soon.

First off, the car starts at $20,850 but the model I drove would retail for about $30k more or less (I re-created the car online and came to that give or take the extra coverage beyond 48months/100,000kms)

The tC features standard Bluetooth, a Pioneer sound system, on wheel audio controls (handy), and a bunch of other stuff I didn’t notice while testing.

The manual transmission tC is perfect for ripping down the highway, (it really motors for its 180hp, downshifting past a few drivers was a blast) and the two-door model is perfect for not having to give everyone a ride home late at night when I preferred having my own head hit the pillow at a decent hour.

I didn’t pay much attention to the spec sheet stats when I drove the tC. There was really no need to. It was a black sports car, low to the ground, stylish, affordable, but more importantly, it got 600km to a tank (highway) just shy of 500km in the city and only cost $50 to fill to the brim from being on fumes.

I parked it anywhere and everywhere, it just fit. I’m not sure if it was how small the car was or extra turning radius, but living in a big city I couldn’t have been any happier.

The hatchback style trunk was awesome for everything but especially for hockey equipment.

The tC has solid audio performance, it has a AM/FM radio, CD player, XM radio, a 1/8th inch audio-in port (think headphone jack) and a USB port for your iPod or a USB key. (Editor’s note: the sound system goes up to 63, why not stop at 60 and make every increment a tad louder?) The pluggable options meant I was never without a premium choice of tunes, which if the loaner had an XM radio subscription going, would have been epic.

The system had some function for rear camera which my model didn’t feature unfortunately but I feel that those options are like video chatting, they sound cool but you rarely use them.

I really want to emphasize the simplicity of the tC, the comfort of the seats, the ease to get someone in the back, the power doors and windows (standard on all models) and the HUGE moon roof. The leather seats also come with seat warmers, which came in handy during the last few frigid days of winter.

There are only two drawbacks I experienced with the tC. I found the blind spots to be a big large but I see it as more of a personal preference and not an actual problem. My ideal car would feature a completely glass top so I can see everything (go ahead and chuckle). The second fault, would be that the tC doesn’t have daytime running lights, again not a serious problem at all, but something to remember when driving at night. Both negatives are quite minute and after a week I overcame both with ease.

I’m anxious to get behind the wheel of another Scion and see not only how the experience compares, but also the looks the car receives from other drivers and passers by.