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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Its not the car is the owner - 2004 Scion xA
  By Elvis.R - November 9 - 12:46 pm

  Well I have no complaints this car as over 100,000 miles and let me tell you I have only done simple maintenance on my car. This car is really great, stereo is great I even put 18 inch wheels and didnt change any shocks or anything. Its runs like now but will loose a little power after this many miles. Maybe because I push this car a lot I mean a lot.

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  Recommend Highly! - 2004 Scion xA
  By LoveMyScion - November 9 - 12:40 pm

  The Scion xA is agile, fun, safe, and gets fantastic milage. Ive had mine for almost 2 years and I still love it! Its a great car for someone who wants style but affordability.

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  Blue 2009 Scion - 2009 Scion XD
  By aladawn - November 7 - 8:03 pm

  I have had my Scion for three weeks today. Had 6 miles on it when I got it. My kids and I drove it to North Carolina from Ohio. It has plenty of power, handled the hills and curves of W. Virginia great. The size is great really easy to reach everywhere to wash. No chips or dings in paint after the trip, does seem to catch the bugs on front but my husband said my Buick did too I just never noticed. Hes probably right.The gas mileage was excellent 31 in the hills, 36 though N. Carolina. Around home its about 33 mpg. mix of city and highway. Great fun to drive. Controls are all easy to reach. Does have a small blind spot, check twice. I am in love, the dog and husband are jealous.

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  Its like being some sort of celebrity? - 2004 Scion XB
  By xcountryscion - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Thats the best way I can describe it. I recently gave up my beautiful Saab 9-3 convertible when I came to the realization that there were more important things to spend my money on. Wanting to spend as little as possible, but not wanting to be stuck with a boring econo-box, I fell in love with the ugly little xB. I do not exaggerate when I say that I have gotten more positive comments in 2 weeks of having this car than in the time that I had the Saab that cost 3xs as much. The gas mileage is great, it handles well, I can throw my bike in the back, and its a Toyota, so I feel confident that it will be running for a long time. What more could I ask for?

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  My Box - 2005 Scion XB
  By J. Padgett - November 5 - 10:30 pm

  The first time I saw this strange little vehicle, I thought "No way I would be caught driving that!" Well, after three more trips to the dealership to poke around and satify my curiosity, my fiancee suggested that I take a test drive...that did it. I took my box home the same day. Boy howdy do I love this car! Comfortable, surprisingly roomy, Toyota quality, good gas mileage, fun to drive...the list goes on and on. It looks really cool too. Toyota definitely got it right, although you cant consider me a generation xer at 51.

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  very nice - 2005 Scion TC
  By powerstrokediesel97 - November 4 - 2:43 pm

  Bought this car as a rollover with 700 miles, fixed it up, now has 55,000. Great car, very fun to drive especially cuz its standard, sound system is pretty good. Very happy with it, has never broken down... Its also very hard to get stuck, its amazing how rough of terrain you can drive it over with it being so low to the ground. I have also managed over 34 mpg out of it. As across the board for this one, another great car from Toyota.

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  Excellent Bang for the Buck - 2005 Scion TC
  By MGG - November 3 - 4:00 pm

  Overall, its an excellent small coupe. Sure it has some weaknesses; but at this price-point, Id be nit picking. Pros - Punchy engine, good handling, excellent interior and exterior fit/finish, outstanding value, Toyota reliability, nice features Cons - stereo volume control should be a dial, not tiny buttons. The car needs a 6th gear. It runs high in the RPMs. Mileage could be better, I get 26/27 MPG mixed driving. The car is geared low, so youll use the higher gears in the city, helping our city rating. Again, a 6th gear would be welcome. I get 30 MPG highway. That should be better. The car is quiet except at highway speeds, even with undercoating.

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  Near Excellent - 2006 Scion TC
  By DQ - October 22 - 6:33 am

  Seeking an affordable, sleek, enjoyable and smooth ride? Look to the Scion tC as one of your "must see" cars. This car has been, so far, a great purchase. It has great pick-up and handles well in rough weather and on different road surfaces.

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  Me and My xB - 2005 Scion XB
  By Kaos672 - October 22 - 6:06 am

  Was totally blown away when I first sat in the xB. I was suprised how much room the inside had. I am 61", 300 lbs and I fit comfortably behind the wheel. My drivers seat was push all they way back and I climbed in the back seat and I was suprised that I still had five to six inches between my knees and the back of the front seat. I test drove the automatic transmission and was suprised at the pep the car had. The styling is nice and it stands out. Its a throw back to the old milk/mail truck design. My wife, friends and co-workers love it. I am having a ball in little xB. Oh... by the way I am 33 years old and married, so I do not fit the targeted marketing demographic for the car.

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  Toast - 2008 Scion XB
  By A Garratt - October 21 - 7:26 pm

  This is my second xbox. I love it so far. Toyota has out done themselves in the improvements to this car. I had an 06 that was recently totalled and I actually really liked that vehicle. But this is a whole new car. 1L bigger engine (almost 40% more HP), 4 wheel disk brake, cruise control, ipod/mps hookup, side air bags, more comfortable interior seats, sports stick automatic, etc. All the extras for a minimal increase in price. I highly recommend this car. Very affordable, fun to drive, great gas mileage and best of all horsepower!