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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  yeeeeehaaaaaaa - 2005 Scion xA
  By lhrem - June 22 - 9:23 am

  Great! The car gets great gas mileage, handles very well and has a fun sound system. The seats are very comfortable and my son who is six four has plenty of head room.

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  My Sophie Scion - 2004 Scion xA
  By Vicki - June 20 - 2:13 pm

  I love this little car. It is fun, zippy, handles well, and is just plain cute. The price is so perfect for everything the car has. The only surprising thing about the car is the cost of tires for such a small one. I know for the price I cannot complain about the fabric quality on the seats. The stereo system is good and the car actually does have quite a bit of room when you need to load the car down. Being an adult and more experienced driver, and living in a big city, I dont mind the highway driving and it is not intimidating. For my youngest driver, I really hesitate to let her drive the interstates. All in all, I do love the car for what I use it for.

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  Go xB Go! - 2008 Scion XB
  By Ken - June 15 - 6:40 pm

  This is a fun car at an affordable price. Lots of safety features which I really appreciate. I put on about 30,000 miles/year and safety is very important to me. I like the solid feel of the xB and its quiet ride on the highway. The engine is quiet and powerful. I have the manual and it shifts like a dream. The best shifting car I have ever owned. I highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a car that is fun to drive and yet quite practical to own.

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  New owner - 2005 Scion xA
  By brooktroutchaser - June 15 - 11:20 am

  Purchased 2 weeks ago with 16.5 k miles. The first 2 days the ride was hard; lowered the tire pressure to 29 and it improved. Love sitting up high; I have a bad back and this car sits like a small SUV. Very nimble and a great grocery getter. It is O.K. on the highway for perhaps a half day ride; it isnt a cross country vehicle. In town it is delightful if a bit stiff. It does not like pavement imperfections. I expect to keep it for many years. Everyone says it is cute. Good car for 1-2 people; the back seat is small. Good legroom up front. Easy to park. Oh, I am six feet, 200 pounds, and have gray hair.

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  2006 Scion xB - 2006 Scion XB
  By qadcv - June 10 - 10:56 am

  This car is awesome. Great on gas, fun to drive. Acceleration could definitely be better. This car is great around town and on the interstate.

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  Best car I ever bought - 2005 Scion xA
  By PghScion - June 10 - 10:00 am

  Former owner of a V8 Durango gas- guzzler. The Scion xA is a sacrifice in power, but the excellent fit and finish of the interior, ease of handling, and superior gas mileage make this car a best-buy in my book. The style is eye-catching. Expect to answer questions at the gas pump (which is once every 3 weeks for this city driver). Regardless of the small 4cyl engine, there is still remarkable pick- up and sturdy poise in accelleration in highway driving, even through hilly terrain. The car maintains 80mph on the highway without a shake. Seats are firm and supportive. xA has a fantastic view of the road with a nice, high stance.

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  Awesome Car! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Jill - June 10 - 7:36 am

  I love my 2006 Scion xA. Im 16 years old and I got this car for my birthday and it is awesome! The car dealership was awesome! It is a great first car and a good car for go back and forth to school. I get lots of compliments and I love the interior (especially the silver accents). We test drove a 2005 xA and the pickup was bad, but it has improved some for the 2006 model. And the speedometer was very easy to get used to. And I also love the stereo conrols on the steering wheel (very convenient!). But overall, the best thing about this car was the price!

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  Most reliable car I ever had.. - 2005 Scion TC
  By Lynn - June 3 - 10:13 am

  I am in outside sales, and I bought the car as a workhorse. I got one of the first TCs made. I have driven my car 160,000 miles and have never had a problem. It trembles a little with the a/ c on when you are stopped, and the brakes squeak sometimes in reverse in the morning, and the CD changer gets jammed from time to time. These are my ONLY complaints. The power is great, and the handling is too (I have TRD struts) but this car has been a fun car to drive/own, and the cost to own is the cheapest I have ever seen. (besides tires)---What a GREAT car!

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  Spunky Jellybean - 2004 Scion xA
  By Amy K. - June 3 - 5:56 am

  Ive had the car for a little over a week (500 miles) and really like it. It has more get up and go on the freeway than I had expected (though one can only expect so much out of a 1.5L engine) and freeway driving hasnt been a problem, even with 2 passengers in the car. Ive taken out the rear headrests because they block some of the view, plan to replace them with 2 more center headrests (only an inch or so tall when lowered). Parallel parking has been a breeze, though Im still getting used to how CLOSE the back end of the car is - my last car wasnt this small! The brakes do seem to squeak a little, Im not sure if thats the cold this week, or if it will be an ongoing issue.

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  Love It! - 2006 Scion TC
  By Melanie - June 2 - 11:13 pm

  The Scion tC is an absolutely wonderful car. You cant beat the price for the performance. I always have a lot of fun driving my Scion. I would recommend to anyone. I love styling and the way it handles. If you love to drive you will love this car.