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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Toys - 2006 Scion XB
  By stephen - March 2 - 1:30 am

  Bought the box just before Christmas 05, have 35k on it as of Apr 07. Had the dealership add carpet, arm rest, bumper tread, and cruise when new, purchased tires and rims from Tire Rack when I got it home. Added rear cargo light, hitch, side window visors, and map lights soon after. Been a great vehicle, averaging 32 mpg mixed driving, 34 hwy empty at 75 mph, and 27 or so hwy pulling a trailer with my motorcycle of jet-ski. My parents liked it so much they bought one as well.

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  Great Car! - 2006 Scion TC
  By Cindy - February 25 - 2:56 pm

  Having driven a Chevy Tahoe previously, I am very satisfied with the performance and reliability of the 2006 Scion tC. I originally purchased them for two teenagers in the family, but I fell in love with it and am now driving it 80% of the time. We may have to get another one in the near future! The price of the tC is very reasonable and insurance is not excessively high. I had wanted a Ford Mustang, but decided against it. The tC may look compact but the back seat is very roomy for someone of average height. The ride is rough at times, but it gives you that sport car feel to it. It has great acceleration and braking power. The tC is fun to drive and handles well.

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  What a fun box! - 2005 Scion XB
  By Amber - February 25 - 2:13 pm

  I just got my XB on Saturday. It rides more smooth then my previous SUV.(Jeep) The noise on the freeway is so quiet. The gas, well that is just one of several perks, it LASTS! I cant even begin to say how much I enjoy this joyride. Every day is adventure!

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  Great car - 2008 Scion XB
  By bgr - February 25 - 1:06 pm

  This is my first new car and I love it. Ive had it for around three weeks and already have 1100 miles. The interior is very roomy, and being 64" that is very important. The performance of the car is not great, but if you get the TRD performance exahust and the cold air intake, it really helps. The exterior design is amazing. When Im stopped or just driving around I get people stopping and staring.

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  The most fun for your money - 2010 Scion XB
  By JamesP - February 24 - 7:26 pm

  The xB is fun to look at and fun to drive. Some dont like the styling (Hi mom!), but I smile every time I look at it! It has plenty of power and while its no sports car, it handles well enough for everyday driving. The ride can get jittery over rough roads, but overall the ride is good. Its also very quiet inside, with less wind noise than youd expect from such a boxy car. People are always amazed at how spacious the car is inside. Massive amounts of head room and leg room, especially in the back. I love the audio system--it has so many features and it sounds terrific. I call this car my giant iPod accessory! Mileage is good, not great. I get about 25mpg in about 75% city driving.

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  32 MPG CITY - 2008 Scion XB
  By Rob - February 24 - 4:23 pm

  Looked at and drove all the contenders including Fit, Element, Matrix. But nothing really came close for the price. My last vehicle was the King Reliable Toyota Previa minivan. But I wanted something much more efficient but just as reliable. I do handy work and small remodeling projects for a living and needed some hauling ability. The Scion xB has been doing the duty for over 4 months now and getting 32 mpg in the process. The key to higher mpg numbers is in the 5 speed manual and coasting techniques. Im always looking for something better but I dont think anyone has made it yet. For now the xB rules.

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  First Car - 2009 Scion TC
  By reyest - February 23 - 3:48 pm

  The 09 Scion TC was my first car i bought. I had always liked them so i figure why not get one. I believe i was too anxious when buying this car and didnt look at more options. I love my car but just wish it was less quiet. Seems like when your on the highway its just really loud. Its a really fun car to drive and picks up speed pretty quick. I guess the only thing that bothers me is that its just loud on the hwy so if could change anything it would be that. Other than that overall an amazing car. My next car will defiantly be a larger Vehicle possibly a 4dr or a truck. Also not bad on gas as well.

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  Great Buy - 2008 Scion TC
  By LuvmytC - February 22 - 6:13 am

  This was my first car out of college and I love it. Ive had it for a year now and I feel like it is a luxury car without the luxury price. My friends all love it as much as I do. My old car did get slightly better gas mileage but the tC still does pretty well. The sun/moon room is awesome as is the reclining back seat and the hatch back feature gives me plenty of room in the trunk. It does pretty well in the snow. I am very satisfied and would strongly recommend buying a tC.

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  Great Car - 2007 Scion TC
  By Elbert B. - February 21 - 6:33 am

  I just got mine the other day and quickly fell in love with this car. Its fun to drive and comes with an excellent price.

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  Great Vehicle - 2005 Scion XB
  By scion xb - February 20 - 6:46 am

  I love my Scion. Its gas mileage is great! The space inside is fantastic, no kids kicking the back of the driver seat is great. Now that I invested in the armrest it is 100% great. I did upgrade the tires with 1 size larger and I can tell the difference in the handling of the vehicle.