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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Great Car - 2008 Scion TC
  By Joyce - February 11 - 7:43 pm

  This Scion TC is something else! Great car. We arent your every day sporty people but hey this car works well, looked good and came at the right price. We simply could not say no. We tried the Fit, Versa, mazda 3 and the civic. The civic rated well too but for the money the TC was a great car. The only thing I find is that for older people it may be difficult to get in and out as the car is low set. I find it difficult but my spouse doesnt. But Id recommend this car anytime. Most people are unaware that the Scion comes with a Camry engine; as the camry has been around a long time, this can only be a good thing. Our Scion came with a lifetime warranty on the engine and tranny!

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  My Car - 2006 Scion XB
  By Linda - February 11 - 12:20 am

  I love this car. My family thinks that Im nuts and that it is for young people. Well, if that is the case then I refuse to grow up. I am 52 years young.

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  2005 Scion xB - 2005 Scion XB
  By texas_jesuslover - February 10 - 12:06 pm

  This vehicle is everything I expected it to be. Consumer Reports says it has a very uncomfortable ride and has a large turning circle. These are completely false. I have no problems. I recommend the Scion line to everyone. They are affordable, great on mileage, and they are Toyotas!

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  2008 scion tc - 2008 Scion TC
  By cocacolagrl - February 10 - 7:10 am

  The 2008 scion tc is a great car. I have owned it since January 2011 and i bought it with 19000 miles. now almost a year later it has over 30,000. I love to drive it. I bought this car after owning a 1992 toyota camry for 5 years, so this was quite an upgrade for me. It has only been in the dealership for oil changes and a battery change. The only person who doesnt seem to like it is my father. He is tall and he cant really get very comfortable in the front seat. my scion is the azure pearl color which turns alot of heads. its not as sporty looking as some other cars but its good enough for me! the only thing i dont like is the paint is very prone to chipping..

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  Funnest Car Yet! - 2010 Scion XD
  By Leopold Peterson - February 8 - 10:50 am

  First I test drove the Kia Soul, and while I really liked the design and features of the car, I found it to be much less zippy, dare I say, gutless, even in comparison to my Hyundai Accent. The Soul had a 2.0 with 150 horses, but was so low on torque and so unresponsive on the get go that I found it a very boring drive. In comparison, when I tested the XD, I nearly popped a wheelie when I first took off. So much more responsive than the Soul. Mileage is great, mid 30s with a combination of city/hwy driving. The styling is fabulous, interior is comfortable.

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  I Love My xBox - 2004 Scion XB
  By Mke - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I really love this little box on wheels, in only the 1st week I put on more than 2400 miles. It is sooo much fun to drive. Great handling, good MPG (30+) and I dont baby the gas either, runs great on the freeways. I love this car and Im an old (57)fart too.

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  A beautiful vehicle. - 2005 Scion TC
  By Alan Schlossberg - February 6 - 3:46 pm

  I am a nut for nice looking clean cars. I have never been asked so many times what kind of car I am driving and how beautiful it is. My tCs perfprmance is excellent. It has lots of room inside (I am 6 foot 4 inches). I think it is a great car for the money.

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  Not Just for Kids - 2006 Scion xA
  By Scion Enthusiast - February 6 - 7:36 am

  Anyone who thinks the Scion xA is just for the young and hip needs to look again! Im 32, and I drive 80+ miles each day. The xA is a great commuter car and it has plenty of room for my family of three (plenty of room for a car seat). Its gas mileage will vary with driving style - I mostly drive highway, and find that mileage is directly related to speed. If you keep it under 65, you will get 35 - 37 mpg. At speeds over 65, youll see low to mid-30s. My lowest mileage to date is 31 mpg. I absolutely love this car! It handles like a go-cart, and does great in snow and rain. While its acceleration is not neck breaking, it has plenty of pep for every day driving.

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  tC after two years - 2005 Scion TC
  By Geo - February 6 - 12:06 am

  The only complaint I have is that it rattles, and Toyota has not fixed the rattle. Intermittent, of course, sounds like the hatchback or the sun roof. I love this car. I love the way it reponds at 60 to 70 mph, I love to put it through hard corners, I love the manual transmission. People over 6 foot 3 have a hard time with the head room, but it fits me fine. I look forward to driving it.

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  I love my xA! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Bethany - February 1 - 8:03 am

  Ive had my Scion xA for exactly a year now, and I am loving it just as much as when I first test-drove one. Remarkably fun to drive (and cute, too), my friends are jealous of the fuel economy and head room that their cars lack. A good fuel economy is always something to consider, especially now when gas prices are soaring. My Scion was a bargain when we bought it, and it continues to be one today!