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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Box full of fun - 2006 Scion XB
  By heznpartys - March 29 - 10:10 pm

  Like everyone else before I owned my xB I used to say, "that has got to be the ugliest car on the road." But then when I came into the market to purchase a vehicle the more the xB grew on me. One test drive is all it took! I was amazed at how much room there was on the inside of the car, Im a DJ so I need space to haul my equipment around. Another thing that impressed me was the low end pick up of the 1.5L. I have a 5-speed manual and have no problem leaving people at stoplights to make quick lane changes when needed. All in all, Im definitely glad I bought the xB its definitely a "Box full of fun".

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  I love this car! - 2007 Scion TC
  By Carol - March 26 - 7:56 pm

  This car caught my eye at a Toyota dealership and I have loved it ever since. I find that this car has as much pep as my previous car, a Honda Accord V-6. I am middle aged and could afford a more expensive car, but why when this car offers everything you need at a great price! I am also tall and find that I have plenty of leg and head room in the car. I have taken the car on 2 long road trips and it handled the highway great and they were very comfortable rides. This car with the sunroof and sleek look, makes me feel young again!

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  Xa to Xd - 2008 Scion XD
  By adam - March 26 - 1:03 pm

  Long time Honda owner (no mas) change to Toyota/Scion and happy. Many Civics, Accords, CRV, never again. Anyway, I traded in the new to me 06 Xa which was a fantastic car, just wanted to upgrade and that is what I feel like the Xd is. I drive fast on the freeway and in traffic and this car is as stated, feels more substantial, less darty, more powerful. Inside the console is ergonomic, there are a lot more standard features and I am 510" 200 lbs and no problem with room. In short, I believe the Xd is a great replacement for the Xa and I really enjoyed my Xa, half of the miles where on the open highway, the other half in Phoenix, the city of bad drivers...

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  For me, its perfect - 2009 Scion XB
  By garyxb - March 26 - 9:39 am

  Bought it off showroom floor 5 years ago and it has never given me even the tinyest problem. It averages 25 mpg in town and 32 on the hwy. Im an old guy and performance is no longer nearly as important as ergonomics. It is the easiest car I have seen to get in and out of. The ride could be a tad smoother, but it is a minor enough complaint. Handling and performance are not Porsche-like, but are crisp , and are fine for what it is.

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  05 Scion tC - 2005 Scion TC
  By Kevin - March 25 - 12:10 pm

  This car is definately the best value on the market. Not only is it affordable, it gives you everything a more expensive car would and more.

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  tC gets lots of looks - 2005 Scion TC
  By shbreshears - March 24 - 2:40 am

  Well worth the six weeks I waited to get my tC. Parked along a curb on a Saturday night by a club in front of a new Benz SL 500. I saw no less than ten people stop and stare at the tC. They also looked at the logo to try and figure out what it was. Mine is Black with tinted windows and looks great. It swallows all of my music equipment, amps, guitars, keyboards, etc. with the back seats folded down. Drives like it is on rails. LOVE IT.

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  We love our xB! - 2010 Scion XB
  By doug148 - March 23 - 12:01 am

  We purchased it 40,000 miles and three years ago. To date, our only expense has been an oil/filter change every 3k. As our grandchildren say: It look so small on outside, but its so roomy on the inside. Handles great in wind and even in snow (as long as its under 6" in depth)-- very stable. Delivers gas mileage far in excess of the EPA rating-- 28 mpg overall. Quality thru-out-- made in Japan. Amazing storage and flexibility. Powerful, smooth, quiet Camry engine. No rattles and noises. Is it a SUV, a hatchback, a station wagon, or a sports sedan? It has elements of all those. This car is underpriced by about $5,000, thus a bargain.

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  Love It! - 2011 Scion XB
  By Linda Anderson - March 22 - 5:40 am

  We purchased this Scion XB after owning a Toyota Rav4. The Scion has just as much width room in the front and more head room than ever. Three of us, large adults, just took it on a 4000 mile trip to the NE. I loved the way we sat down lower in the car, but it was so easy to get in and out of. The gas mileage was "right on" with the sticker. You have to be a "fun" person to like the look, I do! When youre riding in it you feel that it is so much bigger. I cant believe people have even said what a cute car it is. Im as happy with this car as I have been with the last 6 toyotas weve owned. *Needs to be behind seat pockets and the upholstery could use an upgrade.

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  BEST AUTO EVER - 2006 Scion xA
  By DAN - March 17 - 4:56 pm

  I have been an ase certified auto tech. for over 30 years, I have owned and driven thousands of cars trucks and suv, I the 2006 scion xa is the best auto I have ever owned, I would recommend it to any one. Its excellent on gas, at 36mpg average, however toyota designed this car more for safety, not the gas mileage!!! i have not gotten any what so ever problems with car at all.

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  like the car - 2005 Scion XB
  By abby smothers - March 16 - 10:00 am

  it is nice very roomie