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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Jekyll and Hyde - 2008 Scion XB
  By CharlieTwo - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Power is excellent. MPG better than EPA numbers. Numerous safety, convenience and "handling" features. Solid construction. 100% reliable. Now the Mr. Hyde side: I got the 5-speed. Unfortunately (since day one), the gear-shifter clunks when I change gears, the accelerator pedal has no feel- nor does the clutch- so I cant engage gears smoothly. And the brakes grab. Most of the remainder of the Mr. Hyde side of the xBs personality has to do with all the gauges being too far to the right. It takes too long to find and read them (I wont take my eyes off the road for more than one second at a time). Summary: Solid and reliable car at a great price, but dont get the 5-speed stick.

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  Great buy - 2008 Scion XD
  By Erv - April 2 - 7:10 am

  Drove from Gr. Rapids, MI, to Ocala, FL, in 19 hrs. Averaged 35.4 mpg. No problems with car or driver.

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  Great car for the money - 2005 Scion TC
  By CentralIL - April 2 - 3:06 am

  I drive a ton for work and have always been a fan of the tC for the long drives. The car is a bit noisy (I think it is just the Potenza tires) and does have more squeaks and rattles then I would have hoped for after 50,000 miles, but the drivtrain and looks of the car are worth the money.

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  Absolutely Love It! - 2006 Scion TC
  By Max - March 31 - 5:46 am

  My 2006 Scion tC is just fun to drive. I love the style, color, and features. By far, this is the most enjoyable car Ive owned.

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  Great Car - 2008 Scion TC
  By A.M. - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Purchased the car used with 17k miles on it in February of 2010. It now has close to 40k and has been great! Excellent performance for a 4 cylinder engine. The car actually has some torque so its not necessary to downshift every time you come across a hill. The transmission is a little clunky, and it would be nice to have a 6th gear for extended periods on the highway, but its not enough to take away from the car. Stock tires were junk, but still had a little tread left @ 35k. Good sound system for a factory stereo, and its nice that its ipod compatible. Overall its been a great car!!

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  Box full of fun - 2006 Scion XB
  By heznpartys - March 29 - 10:10 pm

  Like everyone else before I owned my xB I used to say, "that has got to be the ugliest car on the road." But then when I came into the market to purchase a vehicle the more the xB grew on me. One test drive is all it took! I was amazed at how much room there was on the inside of the car, Im a DJ so I need space to haul my equipment around. Another thing that impressed me was the low end pick up of the 1.5L. I have a 5-speed manual and have no problem leaving people at stoplights to make quick lane changes when needed. All in all, Im definitely glad I bought the xB its definitely a "Box full of fun".

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  Great concept but poor execution - 2012 Scion IQ
  By sam214 - March 29 - 8:34 am

  For a small car it doesnt have the zip or the exceptional fuel economy expected. It does not have rear disc brake or any fancy features to justify its "premium" compact branding. The engine makes terrible noise and sounds like it has valves problems and only quiet down when warmed up, thus giving doubt to its long term reliability. The steering wheel makes scraping sounds, and brake pedal makes loud and annoying clicking sounds. Toyota technology and quality is missing in this car.

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  I love this car! - 2007 Scion TC
  By Carol - March 26 - 7:56 pm

  This car caught my eye at a Toyota dealership and I have loved it ever since. I find that this car has as much pep as my previous car, a Honda Accord V-6. I am middle aged and could afford a more expensive car, but why when this car offers everything you need at a great price! I am also tall and find that I have plenty of leg and head room in the car. I have taken the car on 2 long road trips and it handled the highway great and they were very comfortable rides. This car with the sunroof and sleek look, makes me feel young again!

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  Xa to Xd - 2008 Scion XD
  By adam - March 26 - 1:03 pm

  Long time Honda owner (no mas) change to Toyota/Scion and happy. Many Civics, Accords, CRV, never again. Anyway, I traded in the new to me 06 Xa which was a fantastic car, just wanted to upgrade and that is what I feel like the Xd is. I drive fast on the freeway and in traffic and this car is as stated, feels more substantial, less darty, more powerful. Inside the console is ergonomic, there are a lot more standard features and I am 510" 200 lbs and no problem with room. In short, I believe the Xd is a great replacement for the Xa and I really enjoyed my Xa, half of the miles where on the open highway, the other half in Phoenix, the city of bad drivers...

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  For me, its perfect - 2009 Scion XB
  By garyxb - March 26 - 9:39 am

  Bought it off showroom floor 5 years ago and it has never given me even the tinyest problem. It averages 25 mpg in town and 32 on the hwy. Im an old guy and performance is no longer nearly as important as ergonomics. It is the easiest car I have seen to get in and out of. The ride could be a tad smoother, but it is a minor enough complaint. Handling and performance are not Porsche-like, but are crisp , and are fine for what it is.