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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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 MPG & fun to drive! - 2008 Scion XD
  By flyers2008 - February 23 - 12:46 pm

  This is one great car to drive! Plenty of power and Im getting 32 MPG in suburban driving. The kids fit great in the back, even w/car seats and the cargo area can hold a packed ice hockey bag w/o a problem.

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  LUV IT! - 2009 Scion XB
  By Chelli - February 22 - 2:33 am

  Luv this car so far. Comfortable and I am a BIG guy. People love it after they ride in it. Dont mind the ugly aspect, I think it looks like a cool, funky hearse. I do 130 miles a day on I95. The power boost is there when I need it...30 to 70 in a couple seconds leaves those 18 wheelers in the dust! Dealer provides the 1st two checks @ 5,000 and 10,000 miles. Great room in the back when I drop the seats. It doesnt feel like a strong built car, but only time will tell.

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  Excellent Vehicle for Price - 2005 Scion TC
  By Dan - February 20 - 7:36 pm

  Drives beautifully and i love racing my friends in it. Could use slightly more power, but for $16,500. i EASILY beats honda civics, ford focus, VW 1.8T, toyota celicas, and more. Interior quality is top notch, and exterior styling from bmw 3 series, nissan skyline, and the new GTO/G6 gives the car the complete edge over others. I LOVE getting looks from other drivers and beating em at the line. Although some complain of the weight, i love that it has some beef because it gives it the weight that puts cars on the higher class level, such as lexus, bmw, and mercedes. The heavier the car, the easily noticed better build quality that it accompanies.

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  Should cost more! - 2005 Scion TC
  By sciontC - February 19 - 10:00 am

  I have found nothing in this car to complain about. Value for the dollar sold me. The roof is so alike the one on a Mercedes C Coupe that they must share parts (my only fear - I hope Toyota refined it). The Civic coupe may be in trouble!

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  Scion xA - The 4 door hatch to buy - 2006 Scion xA
  By econjay - February 18 - 1:03 pm

  This car is an excellent value with style and comfort. We chose it over the Honda Fit and other 4 door hatch models. There has been too much criticism about the lack of power and ride comfort. While a few more HP would be welcome, this cars performance is well beyond adequate with a ride we believe to be comfortable. If considering one, take it for a ride rater than relying on what we believe was a lazy review by Consumer Reports. CR seemed to mail in a review of a 2004 model.

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  great car, period - 2008 Scion TC
  By rachel buckley - February 15 - 2:23 am

  Just love my 2008 Scion tC. Im in my 50s but I love the sporty look and the pick up it has. It comfortable to drive yet it still has the sporty feel to it. Every time I drive it I realize it was well worth the price tag which wasnt bad at all. Good choice overall!

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  Great Car for Newbies!! - 2005 Scion xA
  By MarcusH1 - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for about 2 weeks, and Im in love with it! Its my first car, and its just what the doctor ordered. I waited to make the purchase, but I was lucky enough to get the RS 1.0 after dealing with 2 dealerships. The standard features are excellent, and the stereo is better than I could have ever imagined. The rides a little rough in spots, but its not a Camry, right? And how can such a small car have so much room for me, passengers, and other stuff? Overall, this car is the best balance of features and price I have found.

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  No Cruise Control? - 2006 Scion XB
  By G-Man - February 13 - 7:33 am

  I got the new Envy Green special edition automatic Scion xB. I really do love this little car/truck/suv thing. I downsized from a Chevrolet Avalanche! It hums right along at 80 mph. 0-60 it isnt the greatest, but then who would be surprised by that. Its plenty peppy. With my first tank of gas in mixed driving I got 28 mpg.

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  Better then a Mini Cooper - 2009 Scion XD
  By jonli1014 - February 13 - 3:16 am

  Having been a former owner of a Mini Cooper, I can tell you that this car is a much better car. While it may not corner quite as well as the Mini (that can be fixed with the addition of the TRD lowering springs, a dealer installed option) It is none the less equally fun to drive. It has more HP stock then a Mini Cooper (not S of course). The styling is unique, just the right amount of funkyness to get you noticed. The cabin is more spacious, and their is definitely more storage then a Mini. Plus, the standard factory installed Pioneer ipod control rocks (an expensive Mini option). The rear seats fit two adults comfortably, and Im averaging over 35 mpg! Bottom line, best value for the money!

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  The specs are wrong at Edmunds.com - 2007 Scion TC
  By Daniel - February 11 - 6:50 pm

  I just got this car at the weekend and love it so far. I got the TYC taillights, because I hate the standard ones (boring). The TYCs look excellent with my Nautical Blue. The TRD short-throw shifter is also excellent, a huge improvement over the stock shifter. The point of my review though, is that the 2007 engine is actually slightly tuned up, and the real figures for hp and torque are: 161hp @ 5,700 rpm (300 rpm lower than before). 163 lb ft torque @ 4,000 rpm (200 rpm lower than before). Those are the official numbers on the Scion site.