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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  2012 xB: A Great Car - 2012 Scion XB
  By cscrutinizer - May 14 - 2:59 am

  After stalking this model for a couple of years, I finally pulled the trigger and bought a used 2012 to replace by dying Saturn Vue. I couldnt be happier. The style is odd and will not appeal to many people, but funny enough, driving a box in todays world actually makes one stand out. Oh the irony. This is a fun car to drive, peppy and agile. The tight suspension and low profile tires makes it feel like a Porsche, minus the horses of course. Im a big guy (6/250lbs ) and I have tons of room. The seats are supportive and everything is within reach of the pilots seat. It has more interior room than my extended cab Silverado. Im averaging 28MPG. I love this car.

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  A lot of Bang for the Buck - 2006 Scion xA
  By Gary - May 13 - 7:13 am

  Its hard to see fault in my car so far. We bought it for its roominess, we regulary drive with 2 adults and 3 teens in the car. So far no complaints from them although our drives have been an hour or less. I wouldnt take it on a several hour drive with the entire family. Another plus was the simple buying process which was in stark contrast to another dealership (Honda) that we purchased from a week before. A total of 2 hours in the Scion dealership versus 4- 5 Hours in Honda and many Tylenol later from repeatedly telling the "finance" guy NO to aftermarkets products.

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  Love it! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Cathy - May 12 - 10:20 am

  I knew when I needed a new car that I wanted a Scion. Before I heard of the Scion I was considering an Echo. And a used Echo cost just as much as a new Scion! I test drove the xA and just loved the feel and the standard features. Every option I wanted was standard in my xA. Since I live in the midwest, I had to wait impatiently for a few extra months. But I love it and would never trade it in...except for maybe another xA!

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  Love It - 2005 Scion XB
  By Kim - May 11 - 3:30 pm

  spend the extra money for the armrest.

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  Great car, but problems with hatch - 2005 Scion TC
  By ScottB - May 10 - 4:56 pm

  I love this car. True, they could have used better material for the interior instead of the scratch-prone stuff they use, but then it would cost more. My only beef is with the latch to the hatchback. It has always been temperamental and difficult to open until last week when it finally snapped off. Thats just poor design. I hope that theyve fixed this in newer models. But despite that, this has been a great car and Id definitely get another Scion.

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  First Scion - 2006 Scion xA
  By Vernon Danker - May 9 - 3:56 pm

  As my first new car in 15 years, the Scion xA is impressive in many ways for a compact. Its handling is very nice, its ride is comfortable, and its controls are easy to use. One feature that takes getting used to is the pod of gauges. It is distracting at first, and takes your eyes off the road. The stereo is exceptional for a compact, and it is ready for the MP3s. Its noise level is good below 60 mph; above that slightly annoying. The styling attracts attention, in a positive way; it is reminiscent of the Mini Cooper. Its pricing is also a strong selling point. There is no haggling, very little in add on charges, and options can be added later. Cruise control, e.g., is $350 if added later; $425 if financed.

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  My Scion xA - 2004 Scion xA
  By Paul C Pa. - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Being 6 and over 200lbs I need a large drivers compartment,and even though the front doors are the largest body panel the car has a great deal of interior room. The buying experience was super simple and quick. Sales people are trained for scion customers and it shows. Still dont think 35+mpg will ever happen @65mph @3000rpms.

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  Wow......... - 2004 Scion XB
  By Big "O" - May 9 - 2:00 am

  First off let me say to all of you who think this is a little persons car.... youre dead wrong!!!!!!! I am 61", 250 lbs. And believe me, the xB can hold all of me and then some. I became interested in the car about 3 months ago when I was at work one day and saw it rolling past me. It almost looked like a baby Hummer H2! HA HA HA! I still didnt pay much attention until I blew the tranny in my 97 Dodge Intrepid and figured instead of spending $2500 to fix it, Id check into getting an economy car instead.

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  good in a rollover - 2006 Scion XB
  By ct84 - May 8 - 12:28 pm

  I had this car for almost 5 years and put 82K miles on it. I never had to bring it to the shop outside of oil changes, breaks, and a new set of tires. The car is very light and the wind can push you pretty hard. I got into an accident and rolled the car four times landing on the roof. I walked away without a scratch. ItÂ’s a good car for the money cheap to maintain but not very comfortable for long drives. The engine is very loud over 40 mph.

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  I still love it! - 2004 Scion XB
  By GoldenOtter - May 7 - 8:20 pm

  I loved this car the first time I sat in it. The placement of the instruments, the amazing interior room, the outstanding visibility is great. I am 67" and have 6" head clearance as the driver and my 69" son can sit behind me without having his knees in my back or his head on the ceiling. Ive been in quite a few different SUVs, and NONE have had as much room for 5 adults as the xB. My only gripe is the steering wheel does impinge on the leg room a bit, but that happens with virtually every car Ive driven except large luxury cars. It handles well, and has a great feel for the road, though can be a bit of a rough ride if you are used to luxury rides. The storage space is minimal.