Overview & Reviews

Scion is one of the youngest brands on the market -- which seems appropriate given that it's targeted at a very youthful demographic. Scion has quickly found a home in the hearts of buyers seeking its winning blend of value and style. The frosting on this cake is that Scion is part of the Toyota family, offering all the quality and reliability you'd expect from a marque with its parentage.

When Toyota realized early in the 21st century that it was losing market share in the younger demographic due to a stodgy image, the company took a chance and decided to spin off a new brand called Scion (its name means "descendant" or "heir to"). The first Scions, the xA and xB models, were introduced for the 2004 model year. These edgy little cruisers were first available only in the California market; after a staggered rollout, Scion vehicles became available nationwide.

Both the xA and xB were immediate hits, snapped up by young (or young at heart) buyers looking for high-quality, fun and affordable wheels. The boxy yet funky styling of the Scions provided a lot of passenger and cargo room for the cars' small footprints, making them ideal choices for campus and urban residents alike. They also coddled the youth market with flashy sound systems; Scion's stereos are among the best in the economy-car segment.

The following year, the Scion brood grew to include the tC. This compact but sporty coupe offered more performance relative to its older siblings, thanks largely to a more powerful engine. The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor. By 2012, Scion had introduced the tiny iQ city car and the sporty FR-S sport coupe.

In the interest of keeping things simple for buyers, Scions typically come in only one trim level. However, buyers have the option of customizing their rides with a host of dealership-provided accessories, such as a subwoofer, body kits and custom exhausts. Scion also offers no-haggle pricing wherein buyers pay the list (window sticker) price, thus streamlining the negotiation process.

So far, a simple and well-equipped model lineup, no-haggle pricing and a variety of dealer-added options have combined to make the Scion brand popular with American consumers. The economy car segment isn't typically the first place you'd look for stylish, fun-to-drive vehicles, but Scion has changed all that by offering cars rich with a seductive exuberance that belies their modest pricing.

User Reviews:

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  Recently Purchased - 2005 Scion TC
  By Fred Kleckner - October 26 - 3:53 am

  Great Fun Sporty Little Rocket

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  Still Feels New! - 2008 Scion TC
  By jst4kix - October 24 - 1:03 am

  I purchased my tC in October of 07, so almost 2 years ago. I traded in my 00 Ford Focus for this and lets just say it was a huge upgrade! I feel so confident when I drive my tC, especially when its perfect weather to open the sunroof and go cruising with the iPOD on shuffle. Its always fun to play around a little bit and floor it when the light turns green...great acceleration! You get so much for the reasonable, no-haggle price. Love it!

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  Who could ask for anything more? - 2010 Scion XD
  By vivcali - October 23 - 9:03 pm

  After almost 3 months I finally decided to buy this car. All I can say is "AMAZING". You really need to have one to know what Im talking about.

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  Not your average little car... - 2008 Scion TC
  By Tim Searson - October 20 - 9:53 pm

  Being close to 60, I felt odd looking at a car thats the favorite of tweakers. I traded in a 2002 Toyota Solara because I wanted better gas mileage and Id heard that 2008 was the last for the Solara, so it was out. I wanted a coupe, but the Yaris was too small so I looked at the Scion tC. I was surprised to find there wasnt any haggling about the price - what you see is what you get, but the dealer was very generous on my trade-in. I was amazed at the big interior; even bigger than the Solara. I miss the Solaras leather seats and the cushy interior, but the tC is comfortable and the ride is smooth. And I love the upgraded Pioneer sound system! Wish Id opted for the navigation system.

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  My xBox; I love it! - 2005 Scion XB
  By bkc - October 20 - 7:10 am

  I knew I wanted a Scion Xb before I ever saw or drove one! The design is the coolest; sort of a cross between a Mini Cooper and a Hummer! The handling is great. Its get up and go is very good for such a small engine. The head and leg room are phenomenal (its bigger on the inside than it is on the outside!) The cargo space has not been a problem. Its not a luxury car, but you have to drive it!

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  scion xb - 2005 Scion XB
  By scion lover - October 18 - 3:20 am

  Fun and different. Either you love it or hate. I love it, mY teenage boys hate it. I didnt get any of the thrills- -only leather seats. Lots of room for 6ft boys. Could use more interior lighting. There is only one light in the middle of the car and its hard to see in the trunk area at nite.The xb handles very well and gas mileage is great. Price is very good.

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  Love to cube-it! - 2004 Scion XB
  By Steve - October 11 - 2:56 pm

  We got our Box in August 2003. It has been a great ride. Big inside, small outside -- howd they do it? Best features are reliability, fit & finish, thoughtful design, overall quality & its cheap to get, cheap to run. Plus, its fun to drive! Wish list: cruise control, side curtain airbags.

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  You owe it to yourself to drive this car - 2009 Scion XB
  By Tony B - October 6 - 6:23 pm

  We are new empty nesters and I wanted to trade my minivan on something fun. Im 54, but still have a pulse and a zest for life. I took my wife to the Toyota dealer to show her the Tacoma I had picked out. The xB caught her eye instantly. As much as I wanted a truck, she convinced me to test drive the Scion. Why are women always right? This thing is so cool and so much fun to drive. Its responsive, the ride is unbelievably tight and quiet, and it has plenty of passenger room and cargo space. The standard features are great, and I like the no hassle pricing. Were picking it up tomorrow.

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  Excellent xA! - 2006 Scion xA
  By xajohn - October 4 - 4:32 pm

  After owning various small cars: - 56 VW bus - Ducati 160 - 1956 Chevy Carryall (stovebolt 6 - $25 very used) - Fiat 1100 R - 2nd car best, Dunlops, non-syncro 1st led to next car (ex could not figure out 1st) - Toyota Corolla (2TC hemi 1600) only lasted 439,000 miles! - Plymouth Champ (8 speed 1600) - 74 Bug - 85 RX-7 (oh well - sports car days) - 91 Geo Metro - 56 mpg until vacuum lines died - Now driving 04 scion Xa (154,000 miles so far) Wonderful, the best of the lot as to handling, seating, view out (although rear blind spots.) Optioned w/ rear anti-sway bar, front tower brace, handles like a go-cart, twice the power compared to the Metro

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  2008 Scion tC - A REAL Head Turner! - 2008 Scion TC
  By Bradhere - October 4 - 12:46 pm

  Every place I drive my Scion tC: I find people stopping to look and ask questions, making comments on how GREAT! the car looks. I am over 50 and have 3 other automobiles. Of all these, this is the most fun to drive. Feels like I am in my second childhood.