2014 Scion FR-S: Slip-Sliding Through Winter's Wonderland

There's no question that the appearance of the Scion FR-S (and its mechanical twin, the Subaru BRZ) on the scene last year blew the sports car world wide open.  Here at last was a rear-wheel drive performance coupe that offered a lightweight design at an affordable price.  I had the chance to sample the Subaru version of the car in a track setting and was as impressed by how well it handled high speed driving as I was when I later drove it in the more down-to-earth environment of daily driving.

Of course, here in Canada the big question surrounding any sports car is how it will deal with winter conditions.  Specifically, does the rear-wheel drive layout of the Scion FR-S place it at a disadvantage when compared to rivals like the Subaru WRX (all-wheel drive) and the Ford Focus ST (front-wheel drive)?  I spent a week with the 2014 edition of the car during the oh-so-cold month of January to find out.

• Also: 2013 Subaru BRZ - The Most Exciting Subaru Ever Built
• Also: 2014 Best Buys: Sports Coupes for Under $50,000

It's All About The Tires

Anyone who’s ever had to dig themselves out of a snow bank left by a storm that arrived just a little too early in the season knows the value of a proper set of winter tires.  The 2014 Scion FR-S might at first not seem like a candidate for traction-loss once the mercury drops, given that its 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine produces a modest 200 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque.  Its high-revving nature, however, places the coupe in a high risk group for Scandinavian-level oversteer shenanigans if not properly shod.

How do I know?  The Scion FR-S that I drove, while outfitted with Pirelli Sottozero 'performance' winter tires, lived in perpetual opposite-lock during the week we spent together whenever the car's traction control system was set to VSC Sport.  I blame much of my tail-happy driving on the mixture of ice and grit spread over Montreal's road network, and while I enjoyed the ability to hang the rear end of the FR-S out virtually at will, there were times when I legitimately had trouble getting the car up to speed due to slippery conditions.

I'm inclined to blame this state of affairs more on the condition of the Scion's tires than on any design deficiencies with the coupe itself - and it's important to note that once underway, I never felt unsafe in the car, as its stability control program was effective at reigning in my right foot.  Still, there's no doubt that selecting rear-wheel drive over all-wheel drive (or in some cases front-wheel drive) can lead to additional winter frustration without the perfect cold weather tires riding shotgun.

Still Fun, Even In The Snow

If the Subaru BRZ was an absolute blast to drive on a warm, dry track, then you can only imagine the smiles that go with sliding the 2014 Scion FR-S across cold pavement.  Even when kept within the limits of available traction, the FR-S provides a visceral connection to the road that few cars in or above its class can match.  While the Scion might not offer the accelerative might of Ford Mustang nor the perfect balance of a Porsche Cayman, the fact that this car bears mentioning within the company of vehicles far more powerful and expensive is a strong point in its favour.  In fact, I found the suspension tuning of the FR-S to be even more pleasing than that offered by the BRZ, although I must admit that it's a matter of personal taste.  My perspective was also somewhat skewed by the car's winter rubber, making it more difficult to provide a fair comparison between the two cars.

Winning Style, Back-To-Basics Interior

The 2014 Scion FR-S features a few other notable differences when placed alongside the Subaru BRZ.  Most apparent is the design of the car's front and rear fascias, with a more aggressive, fluid take afforded the Scion that I feel better suits the shape of the vehicle.  On the inside, the FR-S is also more 'barebones' than its Subaru sibling, coming in a single trim level with no options that can be added (unlike the BRZ with its available heated leather sets and other niceties).  It is possible to spec the FR-S with accessories such as fog lights, a rear spoiler, an exhaust system from TRD, and a navigation system, although I strongly urge you to avoid that last item and run to the aftermarket instead of sampling the below-par factory head unit.

I was happy enough with the stock fabric thrones in the FR-S, which are heavily bolstered and do a good job of Velcroing driver and passenger in place.  The rear seats are another story.  It's possible to fit a flexible adult, or a small child back there, but think of them more as an extra trunk (or a great place to store your track tires thanks to the split folding seatbacks) and you'll be less disappointed with their size.

The Best Bargain Around

The 2014 Scion FR-S that I drove stickered for $26,450 (with the standard six-speed manual transmission instead of the optional six-speed autobox).  That's a screaming deal for one of the purest performance cars around, a vehicle that can be favourably compared to a Miata with a fixed roof and a bit more power, and one of the best automobiles I have driven in the last couple of years.  Put the right rubber on the FR-S, and it's an inexpensive year-round commuter.  Park it in the garage all winter and it’s the perfect track toy.  Any way you slice it, it's hard to go wrong with this impressive achievement from Scion.