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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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 janelle - June 24 - 10:46 pm

  The Scion xB is a very nice car. Its great to run around town in, packing the kids and their stuff. So far it has been very dependable, we have not had a problem in two years. Its fun to be asked "what is that?"

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  Great driving, even in two feet of water - 2008 Scion XD
  By shamanza - June 24 - 3:16 pm

  Just drove this car today during a torrential storm. It was like driving an SUV. Whatever the reviews say, take one for a drive and see for yourself. Where else can you get Vehicle Stability Control, a Toyota Corolla engine, great sound, a cool look and a hatchback to boot for quite a good price? Its a great little car, for the money.

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  Hate to Say Goodnight - 2005 Scion TC
  By David - June 22 - 1:26 pm

  I love this car so much. I heard a lot about it before I bought it and man everything I heard about and read is so true. The car has an excellent take off response and is so smooth off the line. Its handling is tight and the car has no vibrations. I would recommend this car because once you drive it you cant leave it alone, you want to keep on going. Plus the after market accessories are worth it alone. You can make the car hotter than it already is, a lot hotter. The options are endless. Next summer I plan to add Lambo doors and drop the car about 1 1/2 inches with a full body kit and to install the supercharger. I hope you decide on the tC. Have fun safely.

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  yeeeeehaaaaaaa - 2005 Scion xA
  By lhrem - June 22 - 9:23 am

  Great! The car gets great gas mileage, handles very well and has a fun sound system. The seats are very comfortable and my son who is six four has plenty of head room.

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  Not bad - 2005 Scion TC
  By anthony - June 21 - 10:00 pm

  Its a nice car, but it has a few designer flaws. But the car handles well, its a smooth ride with no problems.

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  My Sophie Scion - 2004 Scion xA
  By Vicki - June 20 - 2:13 pm

  I love this little car. It is fun, zippy, handles well, and is just plain cute. The price is so perfect for everything the car has. The only surprising thing about the car is the cost of tires for such a small one. I know for the price I cannot complain about the fabric quality on the seats. The stereo system is good and the car actually does have quite a bit of room when you need to load the car down. Being an adult and more experienced driver, and living in a big city, I dont mind the highway driving and it is not intimidating. For my youngest driver, I really hesitate to let her drive the interstates. All in all, I do love the car for what I use it for.

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  Scion xA 2004 - 2004 Scion xA
  By Myk - June 17 - 7:03 am

  My 2004 Scion xA (5-spd stick) now has 85,000 miles. Last month I drove it cross-country from CA to NY (via I-80 all the way). I have not had any problem with the car although I once had a flat tire. Great gas mileage and the car is inexpensive compared to any hybrid.

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  Go xB Go! - 2008 Scion XB
  By Ken - June 15 - 6:40 pm

  This is a fun car at an affordable price. Lots of safety features which I really appreciate. I put on about 30,000 miles/year and safety is very important to me. I like the solid feel of the xB and its quiet ride on the highway. The engine is quiet and powerful. I have the manual and it shifts like a dream. The best shifting car I have ever owned. I highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a car that is fun to drive and yet quite practical to own.

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  New owner - 2005 Scion xA
  By brooktroutchaser - June 15 - 11:20 am

  Purchased 2 weeks ago with 16.5 k miles. The first 2 days the ride was hard; lowered the tire pressure to 29 and it improved. Love sitting up high; I have a bad back and this car sits like a small SUV. Very nimble and a great grocery getter. It is O.K. on the highway for perhaps a half day ride; it isnt a cross country vehicle. In town it is delightful if a bit stiff. It does not like pavement imperfections. I expect to keep it for many years. Everyone says it is cute. Good car for 1-2 people; the back seat is small. Good legroom up front. Easy to park. Oh, I am six feet, 200 pounds, and have gray hair.

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  2006 Scion xB - 2006 Scion XB
  By qadcv - June 10 - 10:56 am

  This car is awesome. Great on gas, fun to drive. Acceleration could definitely be better. This car is great around town and on the interstate.