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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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 TC
  By Rochelle - February 11 - 5:53 am

  I absolutely love my car!!! The only thing is that it is awful on gas (compared to the 2003 Corolla I had previously and traded in) and with gas prices on the rise...it makes it a big issue.

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  Wonderful little BOX - 2005 Scion XB
  By Guillermo Lucas - February 9 - 6:20 pm

  For some people the car is ugly but, everybody asks questions.....what is it?...who makes it?... And after showing people the interior and the cargo capacity they go....incredible!!.. This is the best little car I have ever owned. I am 65 years old and have had hundreds of cars of all sizes, and love to drive my BOX everywhere. The dealer said the car was meant for younger dirvers BUT, I see a lot of seniors driving them...I am one of them and I LOVE IT!

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  awesome - 2005 Scion XB
  By tzuk4824 - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I built mine online and went to look at it now I love to drive the thing. It was really Dirt cheap.

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  Great Little Car! - 2005 Scion XB
  By Terry - February 5 - 7:03 pm

  I bought my xB in Michigan for a Florida car! People said we were nuts to drive that little thing to Florida. I went the 1,350 miles, no problem at 75 / 80 mph, just like the big guys. It is a super car. It gets good mileage, is fun to drive, and easy to park.

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  Awesome value - 2010 Scion XB
  By Charlie - February 4 - 1:16 am

  I took a chance and test drove an XB, I should be driving an Acura RL, but I was sold on the XB. I love this car!

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  Frown Turned to Grin After Test Drive. - 2006 Scion XB
  By Keith - February 2 - 9:30 pm

  I frowned at first sight of an xB. My salesmen immediately offered a test drive. The rest is history. I had driven all the rest (Yaris, Fit, Civic, Corrola, etc.). The xB was simply the best! I love the ease of entry/exit, high seating position, excellent visibility, ample leg/headroom (I’m 6’5” with a 37” inseam), firm ride, great handling, better than expected gas mileage (approximately 34 combined city/highway) and sound options. This cas has turned my 45 mile commute (one-way) from a chore to a pleasure. As others have mentioned, the car’s appearance elicits a lot of comment and opinion. People either love it or hate it. As a former skeptic myself, I simply say “drive one."

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  Tardis (bigger inside than outside) - 2006 Scion XB
  By Sticklebrick - February 1 - 9:00 pm

  The Scion xB is comfortable, practical, safe, reliable, and a good value. Get in another car afterwards and you feel cramped. Its fuel economy about what Edmunds statistics predict. (A hybrid version would be good.)

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  2005 Scion XB - 2005 Scion XB
  By David I - February 1 - 10:00 am

  First foreign car that I have owned. It has exceeded all expectations in every way. Get a lot of compliments and PLENTY of looks. My wife thought it was a little wierd at first, but now parks her Accura and drives mine. Great mileage, last trip on highway - 35.7 About - 30 around town. I live in the mountains and does well everywhere. Lots of RPMs. Tons of room inside. I call it my mini-mini van. Overall, great car - Great dealer @ Jim Barkley Toyota in Asheville, NC

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  Awesome Car - 2005 Scion TC
  By Slamms - February 1 - 10:00 am

  This car is a blast driving and just standing next to it. Toyota put together a solid car that is fun and fast!!!!

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  Consider this alternative. - 2005 Scion TC
  By bencott - February 1 - 10:00 am

  I got this car 2 days ago, and I dont ever want to get out of it. It rides so comfortably, yet there is very little body roll in turns. The design and build quality are impeccable. The styling is both eye catching and luxurious, inside and out. There is some torque steer, but thats to be expected on a front wheel drive with so much torque. The sound system is excellent. For the price, you really cant beat the tC. All in all, the tC is a solid piece of engineering, as well as a very fun and easy to drive automobile.