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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  what it is - 2005 Scion XB
  By jonboy - June 25 - 11:56 pm

  fun little big car to drive stays with traffic and never intemidate on road would rate 8.7 total car

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  Review of my kitty car - 2005 Scion XB
  By btownmeezer - June 25 - 8:23 am

  I just love this car. I was shopping for a car for a year and I stumbled upon this one in my search. It had everything I wanted and for the right price and I didnt have to haggle either. Nothing else could compare. My husband and I were both surprised at how roomie it is inside - very comfortable up front. And, for transporting cats for my rescue group, plenty of room with the back seats down. Gas mileage is great on the highway! Im very pleased with my Black Cherry xB. Im glad I bought it.

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  Dream Machine - 2006 Scion TC
  By Leo - June 25 - 7:23 am

  Absolute dream to drive. Interior is roomy, comfortable. No road noise. handles on the road like a charm. Sporty, yet practical. Would recommend it to anyone who likes a comfortable yet exciting ride. I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

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  Everyday I love it just a lil bit more! - 2009 Scion XD
  By EcoEvolution - June 22 - 5:56 pm

  Ive had the xd since 11/08 and its just great. So many standard features that you would have to pay extra for in other cars. MPG is outstanding I drive 100 miles to and from school twice a week and it barely dents my gas tank. So many cool features, high tech, great cargo, eco friendly, Love the interior design. Def beats other hatchbacks in its class. Its zippy, roomy,great lil compartments here and there, secret lil luggage holder in cargo area, adjustable back seats that also fold down individually,passenger seat folds down. audio control from the steering, ipod jack. everything you need and want is standard.

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  I Love My Car!! - 2008 Scion TC
  By Dezire - June 21 - 1:23 pm

  As an owner I say it is a very sporty and classy car with a lot of power and is smooth to drive. Ill recommend this car to anyone!

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  Couldnt Ask for More - 2005 Scion TC
  By Caleb - June 20 - 3:40 pm

  Want more bang for your buck? Electric seats? HA! try finding another car built this well that performs this sharply! I changed my spark plugs to NGK iridium and now get 33 mpg hwy! Im 62" and actually find the car more comfortable than my 98 eclipse! The jellybean shape helps to provide a lot of headroom . There isnt much headroom in the back though, but enough theres legroom for someone who is 6 tall to sit behind me. You cant ask for much more than that. With a bombproof engine, BMW styling and a pandoras box of power just waiting to be opened you cant beat the performance or styling of this vehicle until you reach $22,000 with the supercharged Saturn, but then your car isnt as well built! Do the math on that one!

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  Its True Beauty Is On The Inside. - 2004 Scion XB
  By Bobo - June 20 - 10:00 am

  I actually went to the dealer to look at another car. After rejecting it as too small, I sat in the xB as a joke. (I thought it looked silly.) I was shocked by how big it felt. So shocked I took it out for a drive. The automatic was so fun, I asked if I could drive the 5 speed. By the end of the second drive, I actually liked the way it looked. I love this car!

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  Scion BabyBoomer!! - 2005 Scion TC
  By Karen - June 17 - 9:03 pm

  This car was marketed for the young kids but Im a babyboomer who was getting frustrated finding a hot coupe for under 20K. Then my son told me a 5 letter word.."SCION" and my prayers were answered. The interior cabin is so comfortable it belies its sport coupe look. Good power combined with an easy to use manual transmission with a short throw makes driving FUN!!! And with lots of experience with a stick you can leave the "youngsters" in your dust!! After more than 5 mts, I still enjoy all the comments about how hot my black cherry pearl Scion is. So all you babyboomers out there who are saving for retirement but still want a fun car to drive, try SCION tC & you wont be disappointed!

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  Great auto - 2008 Scion XB
  By npdxc - June 15 - 2:00 pm

  We enjoyed our 2004 xB and did not intend to make any changes. We had the opportunity to drive the 2008 Scion xB. It was immediate, my wife and I decided we wanted to own it for many reasons. First, safety. Side airbags and curtains, 4 wheel disc brakes, are new in 2008. While it is heavier than the 2004, the ride is improved, handling is improved. Also, the longer wheelbase and length, help the ride and improved capacity for a load in the back. More interior lights, outside temperature, readings of mpg, etc. are all new and part of the standard package. Have received lots of questions from bystanders, inquiring about the car. Looks good (Blackberry Crush Metallic color).

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  The perfect city car! - 2004 Scion XB
  By civicguy - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a replacement for my Honda Civic that would be as fun to drive and reliable, but with more utility. After Toyota announced in 2002 that they would start selling the Toyota bB (as its called in Japan) in California this year, my decision was pretty much made! For my review see favorite features and suggested improvements below...