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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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 - 2004 Scion XB
  By Will G. - August 8 - 2:00 am

  This car is awesome!I ordered mine yesterday and I cant wait till it gets here.

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  Best value for the money period! - 2007 Scion TC
  By CARMELO - August 3 - 11:03 pm

  Owned a 2007 tC for the past year and loved the way it has performed so far. This car handles very well at 100 plus mph, thanks to its fully independent supension. No doubt I will be getting a turbocharger to give it the extra punch it needs but itTs a great daily commuter and weekend fun to drive toy.

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  cant be beat - 2005 Scion TC
  By t0331 - August 3 - 4:50 pm

  great car, looked at the jetta TDI but with a price of 5k more this was a better deal plus it has a toyota motor.You can get a better car but you would have to pay a lot more for it. drives great, lots of looks. gets good mpg as long as you keep your foot out of it.

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  Scion TC - 2006 Scion TC
  By David - August 3 - 4:20 am

  Good experience with the dealer. Excellent car; same running gear and power as a 4-cyl. Toyota Camry, but lighter, smaller, and more fun to drive. Great standard features. Great value, superb quality; cant be a better package on the market.

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  Awsome Value - 2004 Scion XB
  By autoguru - August 2 - 2:00 am

  For the mone cant beat the standard options. Alot bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside. Great milage and very comfertable to drive.

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  Amazing! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Anya - August 2 - 12:06 am

  I love my car!! Its so adorable and fun, everyone says it suits me perfectly. Theres only a handful around town and we all recognize each other and wave. The car is fairly fuel efficient, but not as high as Id been hoping for. Its so roomy inside, especially compared to other cars of its type that ARE bigger, but feel smaller. Comes with some great standard features, I love the stereo. I recommend this car to anyone who wants to stand out a little while still having a functional and fun car.

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  Love Affair - 2004 Scion XB
  By scion xb - August 1 - 9:03 pm

  I am completely excited about my xB now, just as I was the day that I spotted her. I love her sleek boxy look, and the looks that I get from others while in it. The drive is very smooth and it handles well. I wish it had more horse power though.

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  Good car for the Money! - 2005 Scion TC
  By GForce - July 29 - 3:46 pm

  I tested the Scion tC vs. the Pontiac G6, Mazda3, Honda Civic Coupe, Kia Spectra, and Chevy Cobalt. The Scion is better equipped for the price than all others but the Kia, and is just a much better car overall than the Kia. Its nearly as fun as the Mazda, even though its thousands less with the options. It is a good buy. You wont regret it.

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  dissatified - 2005 Scion xA
  By C.mormino - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Car rides to hard. fender wells in engine compartment are letting water in to motor area causing excessivw dirt. Body paint was of poor quality not like toyota product I have had in past.

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  the 02 Accord coupe is gone.....FINALLY - 2005 Scion TC
  By Accord is gone - July 28 - 10:00 am

  First saw the tC at the Chicago Auto show in Feb, its been a long 6 months but WORTH THE WAIT! Just finalized the tC deal today, it goes back for the dealer installed spoiler in a few days. AWESOME head-turning good looks, features NOT found on many cars, much less in the tC price range...dual auto-down power windows, dual walk-in front seats, spring loaded fold down rear seat backs, awesome sunroof system, waterfall dash, beautiful 17" wheels, ABS, four wheel disc brakes, etc! Ride is firm and responsive, NOT harsh. ECT automatic is great. It feels substantial, solid and well built. Its made to be driven!!! Im 6"4" and have plenty of room inside.