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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  xb pimping - 2009 Scion XB
  By xb in nashville - April 11 - 8:33 am

  i have always liked the xbs but it wasnt until the new design, i actually thought about buying one. its fun to drive and it looks amazing, i did however buy one that had a few extras on it so that makes a little more inviting. so far i have had my xb for a week now and wonder why i didnt buy one sooner. love it

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  OK for what it is. - 2008 Scion XD
  By Craig Reinehr - April 11 - 6:20 am

  I bought the car for gas mileage and ability to still haul a few things, and thats exactly what I got. It goes down the highway fine, and of course is good around town. The standard accessories are nice because its most of the things youd "add" anyhow. Disappointed in no center arm rest as a standard option, and the "XM Ready" radio is about as ready as any radio is. It cost $500 more dollars to make it ready, which is very deceiving.

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  ScionXB - 2005 Scion XB
  By Elizabeth2004 - April 10 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. It is so much fun to drive. It hugs the turns and has a lot of pick up. I have the manual 5 speed and it is so cool. I also have a Ford F-150 and now I dont want to even drive it. The sound system is awesome also. I am doing a lot of highway driving and it gets great fuel economy. Also parking in the city is easy with its compact size. With the back seats down there is a ton of room in the rear of the vehicle. I LOVE THIS CAR!!!

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  New buyer potential - 2005 Scion TC
  By New buyer potential - April 10 - 10:00 am

  I narrowed down to Base RSX(no leather and 5sp) and TC(5sp). I have hard time to chose which car is more fun. I hold back the tC due to resale value of car because of low version of Toyota. Is there anyone give me some comparision between them beside the number on specification?

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  Impressed by the Value - 2005 Scion TC
  By Jerrold Hagstrom - April 10 - 10:00 am

  I was introduced to the Scion tC while shopping for a new Toyota. At first I wasnt interested in the tC having never heard of the car, but all that changed after I test drove one. The performance was very impressive. It accelerated and handled more like an expensive sports car than like an inexpensive sports coup. The exterior styling impressed me as well. It is clean and subtle with an elegant front end. Following my test drive I was introduced to a very long and impressive list of features that came standard with the $16,500 base price. I added a few additional accessories and purchased a car that I believe to be the best value in a small car in todays market.

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  Best Car For The Money - 2006 Scion TC
  By xJacobxDxCx - April 9 - 12:26 am

  Ive had my tC for almost 2 months and Im very satisfied with my decision on the best car for the money. It has every standard option you ever need plus more. And the extras are great too. I got mine with a pedestal spoiler and Borla cat back exhaust. I love it. The tC is a great car in a lot of ways. Its very fun to drive, people like to look especially the ladies, and there is so much that you can use this car for. It is the easiest car to park and its very fuel efficient. The standard audio system is exceptional.

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  211,083 miles and STILL RELIABLE !!! - 2004 Scion XB
  By George - April 8 - 6:56 pm

  This is an update on my previous review titled. 140K Upright Go-Kart Written by George on 06/14/2008. This lilcar with lots of interior room is still super reliable. I have replaced normal wear items like tires, power steering/water pump belt and front brake pads. I change the oil and oil filter every 5k, air filter every 6mo. and transmission gear oil every year. I suck out the power steering and brake fluid with a turkey baster and refill every year. The xB is pretty good in the snow with all season tires, however, its super stable and near impossible to get stuck with snow tires.

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  Worth the Wait - 2009 Scion XD
  By Mick - April 7 - 11:00 am

  I ordered my car the beginning of June and had to wait 3 months for the color I wanted but well worth the wait. I had test drove the Kia Spectra, Nissan Versa and the Xd. I have a SUV also. When on Edmunds, I fell over the review for the Xd and I am so glad I did. After reading multiple reviews I test drove and ordered all in the same day. This car is peppy, much faster than what I would have thought and great on the gas mileage. I no longer get a stomach ache when pulling up to the gas station. I have had it for one month and am averaging 36-38 MPG with about 75% freeway each day. Very happy with my choice. She is so dang cute with her rear spoiler !

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  great value and fun to drive - 2005 Scion xA
  By ree63 - April 3 - 11:16 am

  Bought this car for my daughter and now I love to drive it. It handles very well, has power everything. It is only two weeks old and already has 1,100 miles on it, took it on two trips in very hilly areas and it handled very well and we were comforable all the way. Purchased the armrest seperatly, its a must and should have come with the car. Other than that, we just love it! Its a gas to drive around in.

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  Falls apart - 2008 Scion TC
  By LAMich - April 2 - 12:20 am

  Ive owned this car for more than 2 years and there always an issue. The original tires made the car lower than my previous car. So when I park head on, the high curb started pulling out the undercover. Next thing you know, my entire bumper is messed up because its attached to the undercover. A few months down the road, I had to replace all 4 tires after 35K miles. So when I finally fixed that, I hit a garbage bin which knock off my passenger side mirror. Then a couple months, the car wash "professional" managed to break off the rear hatchback garnish/handle when he cleaning the back. Next thing you know I hit a gutter/driveway and my undercover is bent. This car has been a headache.