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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Its CUTE. - 2005 Scion XB
  By mcp - February 20 - 11:50 pm

  It looks like it wants to be a Peterbilt when it grows up. Or maybe a hearse. But its comfortable, easy to drive, parks anywhere, and I can get my 62" son and two friends in the backseat. Consistently gets 30+mpg ... city, highway, stuck on the expressway...whatever.

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  Love Every Inch - 2005 Scion TC
  By Fast88Pony - February 20 - 8:00 am

  I love my Scion tC. Ive driven a lot of cars out there and this takes the cake in its class! I have never had any problems in the almost year that Ive had it. Its very fun to drive!

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  One Word - AWESOME! - 2006 Scion xA
  By ellisdustin - February 20 - 12:53 am

  Purchased this vehicle in March 07 with 26000 miles on it. Got a great deal! At first was a little skeptical about spacing, moving down from a Toyota Matrix, but now we love it. My wife and I carry stuff all the time and that does not hinder its performance. Gas mileage is not as rated, but great anyway. Toyota hit it right on the money when they designed this line. This car is awesome in every way. Roomy interior, comfortable seats, best stock sound system I have heard in a vehicle. This car can handle anything and I have the most fun driving it of any other vehicle.

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  Amazing Bang for the Buck - 2008 Scion XD
  By PA - February 19 - 5:56 pm

  We were in the market for a small, affordable car with decent space and high mpg. The xD price tag impressed us but when you add in all of the features that are included with the price such as the functionality of the interior (sliding and folding rear seats), the electronics (trip computer, cruise, great stereo with steering wheel controls and aux/iPod inputs), and the solid handling and engine, the car is a huge bargain. It really feels substantial on the road and the power is much better than expected. Its actually fun to drive and doesnt look like every other car out there! The gas mileage is excellent so far. The xD may very well become our car for long trips now.

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  Best Car for the Money - 2007 Scion TC
  By Chris - February 19 - 1:00 am

  I just bought an 07 Scion tC this past weekend and even though Ive had my eye on one for a while, actually owning this car is much more of a joy than I could possibly have imagined. I had a 99 (new) Jetta for about 7 years and had lost the excitement of owning/driving my car quite some time ago. The tCs fit and finish are top notch and this car has WAY more power than I expected. Its interior layout is intuitive and all of the buttons have a solid, tactile feel. You really cant beat Japanese automobile craftmanship these days, especially Toyota. I thought about the new Civic Si but its design seems pedestrian compared to the tC. Scion really nailed the youth market branding. I highly recommend this car. Period.

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  Geat Car - 2005 Scion XB
  By fifelo - February 18 - 9:16 pm

  I couldnt be more pleased with my car, it was most everything I was looking for. Im 66", and this car had the leg room and head room I was looking for, the low cost, good gas mileage, extended warrenty, and that "turns heads" factor that Ive come to enjoy. I was looking for a simple comfortable car that I could drive for many years and still haul some friends around in, and this car fits the bill perfectly. Ive had the car a short while, but Im betting on toyotas typical high quality and low frequency of repairs. As long as this car doesnt break down often I will be very pleased for years to come.

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  My New SCION - 2009 Scion XB
  By Stephen Taylor - February 17 - 1:00 pm

  Having put the first 1000 miles on my new SCION xB, I am very impressed with the power, drivability, and comfort. I am a big guy and I have plenty of leg and head room. The car itself seems much larger inside than one would expect. I am averaging 28.9 MPG so far, which I am very happy about as well. Overall, I could not be happier...

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  Scion XA - 2005 Scion xA
  By K.C - February 16 - 9:46 pm

  I always bought Hondas because they handle better than the Toyota. The Scion handles great and has reliability of a Toyota. The best of both worlds and great MPG to boot.

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  BEST CAR EVER! PERIOD! - 2004 Scion xA
  By Jayden - February 14 - 4:36 pm

  I have had my 2004 Scion xA since the end of 03. My car now has 86500 miles on it. No problems whatsoever! Affordable, reliable, and great mileage, at low cost. The perfect car! Back seats fold down flat, perfect to store things. I have had a tandem bicycle inside of the car.

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  Great, Except for Minor Things - 2005 Scion TC
  By Desertdweller - February 12 - 12:56 pm

  We were the first Scion tC owners in our area, buying the first one to hit the local dealership. Our tC now has 45,000 miles on it with no engine problems. It has been a blast to drive. There is plenty of room in front, and the engine is peppy, though a turbo would be extra cool. I drive through a tight hair-pin down-hill grade every morning to work. I have noticed that the tC handles nicely and I frequently pass more expensive sports cars with ease. Id say the tC is a great deal for the money. Our only complaint is the paint does not hold up at all! There are chips and door-dings everywhere. The front bumper and head light domes are riddled with a permanent sandblast from driving in the desert.