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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Love it! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Cathy - May 12 - 10:20 am

  I knew when I needed a new car that I wanted a Scion. Before I heard of the Scion I was considering an Echo. And a used Echo cost just as much as a new Scion! I test drove the xA and just loved the feel and the standard features. Every option I wanted was standard in my xA. Since I live in the midwest, I had to wait impatiently for a few extra months. But I love it and would never trade it in...except for maybe another xA!

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  My Scion xA - 2004 Scion xA
  By Paul C Pa. - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Being 6 and over 200lbs I need a large drivers compartment,and even though the front doors are the largest body panel the car has a great deal of interior room. The buying experience was super simple and quick. Sales people are trained for scion customers and it shows. Still dont think 35+mpg will ever happen @65mph @3000rpms.

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  Wow......... - 2004 Scion XB
  By Big "O" - May 9 - 2:00 am

  First off let me say to all of you who think this is a little persons car.... youre dead wrong!!!!!!! I am 61", 250 lbs. And believe me, the xB can hold all of me and then some. I became interested in the car about 3 months ago when I was at work one day and saw it rolling past me. It almost looked like a baby Hummer H2! HA HA HA! I still didnt pay much attention until I blew the tranny in my 97 Dodge Intrepid and figured instead of spending $2500 to fix it, Id check into getting an economy car instead.

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  I still love it! - 2004 Scion XB
  By GoldenOtter - May 7 - 8:20 pm

  I loved this car the first time I sat in it. The placement of the instruments, the amazing interior room, the outstanding visibility is great. I am 67" and have 6" head clearance as the driver and my 69" son can sit behind me without having his knees in my back or his head on the ceiling. Ive been in quite a few different SUVs, and NONE have had as much room for 5 adults as the xB. My only gripe is the steering wheel does impinge on the leg room a bit, but that happens with virtually every car Ive driven except large luxury cars. It handles well, and has a great feel for the road, though can be a bit of a rough ride if you are used to luxury rides. The storage space is minimal.

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  Sporty / Luxury Car - 2006 Scion TC
  By panday - May 3 - 11:26 am

  l like the radio,air conditioning, etc set-up, its neat. l also like the exterior front and side but not much in the rear.

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  Who Knew a Box Could be so Fun! - 2005 Scion XB
  By Seth - April 29 - 9:03 pm

  When I had originally purchased my 2005 Scion xB, I was in dire need of a car that worked, and I was sick of fixing up my old junker. I needed a reliable car to get to work and back home. Thankfully, a good friend of mine had turned me onto the Scion xB. With its spacious interior and daring new looks, it was more than just a car. It redefined what it meant to drive a car. The Scion xB is great in all aspects of a new car; great standard options, a roomy interior for friends and family, wonderful fuel economy, and a fresh new look, all starting just under $15,000. This car is truely wonderful, and Im proud to say, "I drive a box."

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  This is an AMAZING car!!! - 2005 Scion TC
  By Kiwi - April 29 - 5:23 am

  It runs smooth and quiet, but fast for those who like to drive on the fast lane. Theres an option of making the car run faster (up to 200 mph). The interior is sleek and futuristic. The exterior is unique. Its got dual sunroofs; you and the rest of ur passengers can RECLINE and relax while looking out at the sky. And best of all, being made by Toyota, its cheap when it comes to maintainance. One little flaw is that the cars body is BIG; theres still plenty of room in the back, but the car takes up a lot of space, making it as big as a sedan when it should be as big as a coupe. Another cool feature is that it was made for young drivers, therefore every owner can make his/her car unique.

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  tC - 2005 Scion TC
  By Andfx8 - April 28 - 10:00 am

  With all the standard features and low price, a consumer cannot go wrong when purchasing this car. As you know, this car comes with quality standard features such as a large sunroof with rear moonroof, 17in. alloy wheels, CD/MP3 player, 160 hp engine, cruise control, power everything, and rear seats that fold up or down (and can recline). The tC gets great mileage and offers the most power than any car in its class. This car is very stylish inside and out and is great for young and ever older buyers. The Scion tC offers a lot for any crowd at an affordable price!

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  xb testdrive - 2005 Scion XB
  By Stephen1212 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Very easy entrance / exit for the vehicle. Comfortable and really fun to drive. Handles very well. Test drove the vehicle on a windy day here in Lincoln - hardly noticed.

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  Best Bang for the Buck - 2005 Scion XB
  By swampsajerzy - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Everything you could possibly need in a city car. Big enough for a family and small enough to park in a Minis space.