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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  The Car for Me - 2005 Scion TC
  By Brett - March 14 - 5:00 am

  Fun car to drive. Sporty, quick, perfect car for the everyday driver. Not too much, nor too little power. Front seats are comfortable, and hold you in place through the winding turns. Rear seats have much more leg room, very suprising. I have a few 6+ friends who enjoy riding in the back w/me. Interior is very stylish, with a radio cover panel that looks sweet, could use steering wheel controls though. Safety ratings show its a safe car... the side impact air bags would help, though expensive, worth the safety. All of the std and opt features available made this an easy choice for me. So, roll the windows down, open the sunroof, lay on the throttle, and enjoy the ride.

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  Beats all of the competition - 2006 Scion TC
  By C.R. - March 11 - 9:30 am

  First off those people begging for a windshield sun strip: It looks awful on the tC. I had the tint applied at the dealership and was glad when given the option to decline the windshield tint. I started off my car buying experience special ordering a Toyota Corolla S edition. After waiting several weeks I went back to the dealership and picked up a black Scion tC. I am very happy that I changed my mind. The decked out Corolla only had one more feature than the tC, which was leather. Thinking about it now though, I wish I had chosen the leather.

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  Love the 08 - 2008 Scion XB
  By Anewton86 - March 9 - 8:46 pm

  I had an 06XB. Loved it when I bought it and then as the year passed on I began to find things I disliked about it. I didnt like the room between me and the passenger, the leg room for the passenger, or the lack of getting up and going. I traded in my 06 3 days ago and got an 08. I love it! They fixed everything I didnt like. The ride is so much smoother.

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  My new Limited edition scion XA - 2005 Scion xA
  By kcgeyer - March 9 - 12:26 am

  I did not like the origional version of the Scion XA, but I bought the limited edition with the rear spoiler and the different front grill. It also came in "absolutly red" which is not one of the standard available colors. Mine also has a sunroof and is a manual. It is quite and the fuel consumption gets better and better each time I drive it.

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  Scion xA - 2004 Scion xA
  By sactoreg - March 8 - 2:00 am

  My Scion xA is Great! It came with all toeh features of more expensive cars, and size wise its easy to find parking in San Francsico. Its a little jitteryg when hitting potholes or rough roads, but otherwise rides well. Ive had a reocurring problem with the passenger side rear speaker, and the dealership seems either unwilling or unable to correct the problem. Also, I have developed a rattle in the rear cargo cover that will not go away. Otherwise, a well put together car with many options that Ill be adding over the next few months.

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  Yee HAH! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Radwriter055 - March 5 - 3:23 am

  I did the research and literally bought the first one I drove. I was tired of my big old falling-apart ford explorer taking up gas, oil, and parking spaces, and felt the Scion fit in with my reduce, re-use and recycle advocacy. Its a zippy little car whos interior room is deceptive. I was delighted to fit 10 long 2" X 2" stakes into the vehicle with ease, once I put the seats down. Its light, fast, zippy, user friendly, KICK BUTT stereo and cozy. Its perfect for blasting around town in any traffic and holds its own beautifully on the highway at top speeds. Light light touch on the brakes.

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  Good Economy Car for Rural Area - 2008 Scion XD
  By mjc - March 2 - 9:30 am

  I live in the northern mountains of NH; my driving is mostly rural, seldom faster than 65; there is virtually no stop-and-go traffic. My xD has an automatic and also traction/stability control. My lowest gas mileage has been 37; my highest 40.5. (I figure my MPG mechanically: first click off on fill up with rounding to nearest nickel.) My last three tanks averaged 39 mpg.

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  Luv my xB - 2006 Scion XB
  By M Henry - March 1 - 6:53 am

  I love this car! It is a blast to drive and I love the way it handles. I didnt like the looks of it at first. Then I drove it! It has tons of space and it has a great sound system. This car has the heart of a much bigger vehicle.

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  Mad In Love - 2009 Scion XB
  By MansfieldRider - February 26 - 12:10 pm

  I went to dealership to buy 2010 Venza.When I drove up saw the Red 6.0 Series. Told my husband that I wanted to test drive it before I ordered my Venza. Too bad for Venza that I did. Fell in love. Went in and ordered Classic Silver Metallic XB. Coolest thing I have driven. Put numerous accessories on it. Took them a wk to install them after they got it. I got leather seats, sport steering wheel, sport shift knob, door sill illumination, overhead console box, auto dimming mirror, upgraded audio system, tinted windows, floor and cargo mats, cargo cover. Sure I missed some and still not finished adding yet. Everyone loves it but not as much as me.Its a head turner.Mad in love. Everyone needs 1.

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  Scionfun - 2007 Scion TC
  By scionmark - February 25 - 1:26 am

  Great value, very fun to drive, driving is easy on the sole, comfortable, clean lines, sporty, excellent after-market toys, can be personalized, outstanding quality and next car, only a lexus could be better!