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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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:

• 

  Nice Little Car, Lots of Power - 2014 Scion FR-S
  By Pete Wilson - April 22 - 12:10 pm

  This is a fun little car to drive.

• 

  Whats Up With the Windshield? - 2006 Scion XB
  By wilsonevans - December 28 - 9:36 am

  I test drove this car and fell in love. It has so much room. As i was making a trip I heard a loud pop and there was a crack in my windshield there is no one around me to throw up a rock or anything. I took the car to my dealer after six days of ownership. They said it was a rock crack and I would be responsible for replacing it. I looked online and there are tons of people who are having mysterious cracks appear in their windshields. I cant afford to be payin for a new windshield every six days. Scion is gonna have to step up and fix this problem.

• 

  Out of the Wrapper a BEST BUY! - 2007 Scion TC
  By joeyalphabet - December 28 - 12:43 am

  In true light of the topic, this car drives very well. Out of the wrapper this is hands down the best bang for the buck. I own a 5spd tC for 1 year and18k miles, and I find the acceleration is adequate, handling is nimble, top end is good. Brakes are adequate though I occasionally wish there was NO fade. Fuel economy ranges from 22-30+ depending on how “spirited” you drive. I notice a slight difference with the 92 octane gas (here in NY) but at $3.30+ a gal save the money and go regular (89 octane). The seats accommodate you well, though on long (4hr+) trips I can appreciate more comfort. I often travel alone, but with one passenger, two if you include my 100 lb. German Shepherd.

• 

  Solid Buy - 2008 Scion XD
  By satisfied - December 10 - 6:36 pm

  Purchased our XD after looking at similar products. Our biggest reason for purchasing was for reliability and resale value (as we may not hold it for too long). Gas mileage was a consideration as well. I consistently gets 28-30 both highway and city. Even all highway was only 30 which was a little disappointing. My wifes only real complaint in the comfort of the seats for her (she is shorter). The ride is nice. It sits higher than our 2000 altima which is very nice and the higher body doesnt drag the bumper on our driveway (we live in Pittsburgh w/ lots of hills). Overall, we feel like it was a good purchase, but w/ our 1st baby on the way it wont be long before we need more room.

• 

  Great for the Money - 2004 Scion xA
  By Pheon - December 4 - 10:00 am

  Well I bought an Xa today and its seems to be a tight little package. Try comparing it to Kia Sephia. lol. A great value. Whole car seems well rounded and hella space with the seats down. My only complaint, if I had one, is 108hp, but Im behond 0-60 at this point and this makes it there fast enough. :)For $12995 you cant beat the stuff this little car has on it. My favorite thing about this car is the fit and finish. Seems like a much more expensive car. And to top it off its a Toyata. Ill be lookin for a new car in 2015. :)

• 

  Still not sure - 2010 Scion XB
  By Dreamer0201 - November 30 - 11:26 pm

  Purchased car last week and did not realize a few things until I drove off lot. No automatic lights. No adjustments on the intermittent wipers, just one speed. The headrests are extremely uncomfortable in the front. It is reliable though and a smooth ride.

• 

  Im happy with it! - 2005 Scion xA
  By ringdangdo - November 26 - 2:43 am

  In the four months Ive had my Scion xA it has been very enjoyable. I have been averaging 34 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving. Im 64" and have a surprising amount of room inside. I definitely am happy that I bought it. It makes a great commuter car, but still truns some heads.

• 

  Pretty Good Car - 2006 Scion XB
  By Michelle - November 23 - 6:20 am

  I have only had my xB for three months or so, but I love the way it handles the curves and has great maneuvering ability, and is compact for easy parking. I am averaging about 30 mpg. Im not so excited about merging into traffic though, this vehicle has absolutely no get up and go. I usually feel hesitation just after punching the accelerator. Its head room and leg room are great, but its ride is bumpy. Our Honda Element has a smoother ride. The lack of cruise control is a bummer, it should be standard. The xB has lots of great options to choose from. I would consider another one down the road if it had more power.

• 

  I returned it! - 2008 Scion XB
  By George - November 21 - 1:06 am

  Well I loved the styling and the interior room, but hated the way it drove. Its top heavy and feels tipsy. The body lean is the pits. A gust of wind makes you feel like you have to fight to stay in control.

• 

  Scion Owner - 2005 Scion TC
  By laredo - November 13 - 5:33 pm

  I was looking at all coupes including Audi TT, 350Z, G35, etc. Needed combination of reasonable cargo, fun drive, fuel economy, style, and traction. The tc was lowest on style and traction, but won....., and I could have bought two for the price of the other cars. The car is loaded with goodies and fun to drive. The stick is fun, but the automatic would be boring and render the car to "just like any other compact". My fuel economy is 23 in town and 30 on the highway. Its basically hard to complain about the car, but there are some annoying flaws. The double press "all unlock" key feature is poorly designed. The roof posts badly obstruct critical vision, front and back(a surprise to me