2016 Scion FR-S

The CarCody take

The 2016 Scion FR-S is a gasoline minicompact car with rear-wheel drive, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and a six-speed manual transmission. Its defining EPA figure is 24 MPG combined, with 21 MPG city and 29 MPG highway. EPA annual fuel cost is $3,400, and tailpipe CO2 is 362 grams per mile.

Who it suits. Drivers seeking a rear-wheel-drive minicompact car Manual-transmission fans with regular highway driving Buyers comparing gasoline cars by EPA MPG

What it is

The 2016 Scion FR-S is a gasoline car in the EPA minicompact class. It uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, and a six-speed manual transmission.

As part of the Scion car lineup, its main EPA measure is 24 MPG combined. That is the single figure to use when estimating mixed driving.

The numbers

The FR-S is rated at 21 MPG in city driving and 29 MPG on the highway. The highway figure is 8 MPG higher, so longer steady trips use less fuel than stop-and-go streets.

Its tailpipe output is 362 grams of CO2 per mile.

What it costs to run

The EPA annual fuel-cost figure is $3,400. That estimate is tied to the car's 24 MPG combined rating and gasoline powertrain.

Your actual bill will depend on how much you drive and the fuel price where you live, but the EPA figure gives this FR-S a clear yearly reference point.

How it compares

Within its own EPA ratings, the FR-S favors highway economy over city economy: 29 MPG versus 21 MPG. The 24 MPG combined number sits between those two use cases.

Those figures describe a small rear-wheel-drive car with a manual gearbox, so comparisons should focus on other cars with similar layouts and driving patterns.

Who it suits

This FR-S suits a driver who wants a minicompact car with rear-wheel drive and direct control from a six-speed manual transmission.

It makes more sense for someone whose driving includes highway miles, where its 29 MPG rating is higher than its city result.

Trade-offs

The 2.0-liter engine, rear-wheel drive, and manual transmission define the car's layout, while the 21 MPG city rating points to higher fuel use in urban driving than on the highway.

Its 24 MPG combined rating and $3,400 EPA annual fuel cost give you a straightforward way to weigh that drivetrain choice against your driving mix.

Verdict

Choose the 2016 Scion FR-S if a small car with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual fits your priorities. Its 24 MPG combined rating is workable for mixed use, and the 29 MPG highway result helps on longer trips. City-heavy drivers should plan around 21 MPG and the EPA's $3,400 annual fuel-cost estimate. The car's 362 grams per mile of tailpipe CO2 is another part of the ownership picture.