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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Worse Car Ever!! - 2008 Scion XB
  By xb4me22 - December 9 - 11:01 pm

  Do not buy scions because the are really low quality. I had multiple issues with my car and Toyota has the worse service ever. Clutch went bad, AC went bad, Hand brake went bad, Water pump went bad . I purchased this car new and it has less than 60,000 miles on it. Now they found a defect on the roof of the car and they have to replace my roll bar by removing the roof and by re assemble the car. This car is junk! I will never buy a Toyota again!

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  Lousy Car - 2006 Scion XB
  By mihailo - November 4 - 6:53 am

  The Scion xB has no power and is not aerodynamic. This does not allow to get better gas mileage. The Toyota Echo engine is very weak and this car has no acceleration whatsoever. Using it as rolling advertising by having it wrapped is OK, but I do not enjoy driving it.

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  engine stopped - 2008 Scion XB
  By boo21 - September 18 - 6:40 am

  on a major highway the engine stopped. had to get towed. mechanic is now looking for a used replacement engine. car has abouy 88,000 miles. i will never buy a toyoya product again.

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  Buyers Remorse - 2006 Scion xA
  By lakeratz - April 13 - 12:06 pm

  I bought this car to save on gas. I have yet to hit the EPA estimates. In highway driving, at the speed limit of 75 mph I cranked out a whopping 26 mpg. I guess since the car was taching at 4,000 rpms in 5th gear. I should be happy it didnt blow up. Its A/C is inadequate. It has to be run on high fan and recirculate to keep the car cool. It has an uncomfortable ride. You feel every bump in the road. Alsi, its very underpowered. Check the resale values, others must not be impressed either.

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  79K and all major parts needed replacement - 2006 Scion TC
  By Tom Jackson - October 30 - 8:30 am

  Every plastic piece in the interior that can snap has. And of course the exterior rear lift/license plate cover has too. Also cracked lower front cladding when almost new just by tapping a curb. Very comfortable seats, even in the back. Great ergonomics, instrumentation, and electronics for 2006. Audio quite good. Noise is completely tire related - originals and Goodyears were terrible. Michelin Pilots are great. In town mileage is terrible - ~17 at best. Have gotten 30 on long trips. Mechanicals quality are terrible: have replaced - brakes and rotors x2, tires x3, clutch, And now needs a new transmission (bearings and shifter linkage) at 79K. Would NEVER buy another Scion or Toyota ever, despite everyone I know who has one feeling the opposite. Have had a Nissan and 2 Hondas and will be going back to them.

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  Never Again - 2005 Scion xA
  By Dont Buy One - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This is the biggest mistake I have ever made. I have had to take this car back to the dealership (Folsom, California) several times. The electrical system is sub-par. The dealership has been a joke.