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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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 this little box - 2005 Scion XB
  By Adrinap - August 9 - 10:00 am

  i love, love, love this little box of mine. the only bummer for me is the fact that there are no plans for toyota to design a hitch or a way to add a hitch for this little thing so i can take a couple of bicycles along with me. i dont want a roof rack for the bikes (the car is just too tall for that).

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  Super Cool - 2005 Scion TC
  By czardoz1 - August 9 - 10:00 am

  My TC is just great. It rides good and handles like a sports car while getting great gas mileage. It is built better than most cars costing 10,000 more.

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  2005 Scion Tc Automatic - 2005 Scion TC
  By ActionBronson - August 9 - 10:00 am

  Great Car, Great Power, Lots of "options" that are included in the price. Well under $20k with everything youd want. Drives nice, good handling, cornering, stable, comfortable ride, good legroom (Im tall).

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  By far the best car by Scion - 2005 Scion TC
  By Michelly - August 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car when my 02 Honda Accord was wrecked beyond repair, I had to find a car around the same price range as the accords value. I liked the look of the tC from the outside but did not expect it to stand up to my accord, but it did. The personalization options are great and I love the original interior design and the awesome standard panoramic sunroof, blinking mirrors, and keyless entry programmed into the key definetly turn heads!!!

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  Just what I wanted for College - 2006 Scion xA
  By Mike from CA - August 8 - 7:23 am

  As a 22 year old college student I bought this car 1 year ago to help keep the gas bill down and because of toyotas reliability behind it. What I didnt expect was the amazing MPG, low maintenance costs, great sound system, and the room inside. This car has been everything I ever wanted in a car and I will own it for quite some time.

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  Satisfied with my Midlife Crisis - 2008 Scion XB
  By Eric - August 4 - 8:50 pm

  Car is exactly as advertised. The blackberry crush color is amazing beautiful. Planned on wrapping it, but I am having a hard time covering up the color. The car is great on gas mileage (just got 33 mpg on a highway trip).

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  Heck of a toaster oven - 2008 Scion XB
  By Clark - August 4 - 1:40 pm

  This is our 3rd car, intended for hauling dogs, skis, and toys. Great value for $16K. Interior no frills but very functional: perfect for intended use. Good sound, fairly quiet ride, seats okay. Very roomy: huge plus. Performance and handling more than ok, considering that I dont drive it in a spirited way; just want to haul toys and dogs in comfort. It is, after all, an econo-box. Ive got my Porsche Cayman S if I feel like driving spirited. Gas mileage has been great, probably cause I dont push it. Ave 30-32 mpg combined hwy-city; 33 hwy const. 67 mph. Dont get how some report 22 mpg; they must think they are driving sports car but cant afford a real one. xB not a sports car.

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  Still Shaking - 2008 Scion XD
  By Sparkle - August 3 - 3:26 am

  I traded an o7 Camry that was paid for, at 18,000 miles, and another year on the 36,000 mile warranty for the Scion xD. The Camry was a sweet ride, and it had all the bells, and whistles, but the gas mileage was nada. Im still shaking just thinking about it, however it cost me no out of pocket money. It was one of the hardest things Ive ever done. I drove the xD home, and the first big truck that came by did not blow me off the road, I hardly felt it. I still have over half tank of gas, at 193 miles. I had two choices, I could look at the Camry in the drive way or I could ride the xD all over the place. Gas in not going down, and I made the adjustment. Im glad I did it. I like to ride.

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  love it! - 2005 Scion TC
  By aeb - July 31 - 8:33 pm

  Ive had a black cherry scion for a month. Love the way it drives, great gas mileage. Ive had tons of compliments from those who have seen it and those Ive taken for a ride in it. Only complaint-tires arent rated the best.

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  Great Car! - 2005 Scion TC
  By JohnInPdx - July 27 - 6:56 pm

  The first car I was looking at was the Camry. When the dealer would not knock down the price, I looked at the Scion & noticed that it offered the same options with a price tag about $5000-6000 lower ($8000-9000 if you compare it to the GT-S). The Scion is a better deal in all areas. Personally, I like the no haggling sales approach (Ive never been one to play stuipid dealer sales games!). I love the way it handles, and also love the power it delivers from a 4 cylinder engine (my previous care was a 5 liter v-8). You can get very good gas milage driving it smoothly, or you can get not good milage driving it like a hot rod (Another nice option!). Overall, I recommend it highly!