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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  05 Scion tC - 2005 Scion TC
  By Kevin - March 25 - 12:10 pm

  This car is definately the best value on the market. Not only is it affordable, it gives you everything a more expensive car would and more.

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  Fun, but overrated - 2009 Scion TC
  By kasyak - March 25 - 4:29 am

  This car is an eye candy and it is fun to drive, but having owned this car for a year, I have to say, for me its overrated and overpriced. Although I appreciate the Toyota reputation for reliability, this car needs to offer more for the price tag. Theres nothing really sporty about this car, and the 25 MPG that I get now does not impress me. If you are looking for a cute car that is fun to drive and the price is reasonable, and you dont care about the drawbacks I posted, then go for it. Its reliable. If not, you can get more car for the money, if you go with something more traditional. If you are hunting for a sports car, the Scion will not satisfy you (especially with an automatic)

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  tC gets lots of looks - 2005 Scion TC
  By shbreshears - March 24 - 2:40 am

  Well worth the six weeks I waited to get my tC. Parked along a curb on a Saturday night by a club in front of a new Benz SL 500. I saw no less than ten people stop and stare at the tC. They also looked at the logo to try and figure out what it was. Mine is Black with tinted windows and looks great. It swallows all of my music equipment, amps, guitars, keyboards, etc. with the back seats folded down. Drives like it is on rails. LOVE IT.

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  Love It - 2006 Scion TC
  By adam - March 23 - 4:23 pm

  I love my Scion tC. I would definitely buy one again. It is the most fun that you can get for your money. No car is more fun driving around town. Its low end torque is amazing. The tires want to chirp. The stereo wants to blast. This car is a blast, and its comfortable. It is great on the highway, too.

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  We love our xB! - 2010 Scion XB
  By doug148 - March 23 - 12:01 am

  We purchased it 40,000 miles and three years ago. To date, our only expense has been an oil/filter change every 3k. As our grandchildren say: It look so small on outside, but its so roomy on the inside. Handles great in wind and even in snow (as long as its under 6" in depth)-- very stable. Delivers gas mileage far in excess of the EPA rating-- 28 mpg overall. Quality thru-out-- made in Japan. Amazing storage and flexibility. Powerful, smooth, quiet Camry engine. No rattles and noises. Is it a SUV, a hatchback, a station wagon, or a sports sedan? It has elements of all those. This car is underpriced by about $5,000, thus a bargain.

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  Love It! - 2011 Scion XB
  By Linda Anderson - March 22 - 5:40 am

  We purchased this Scion XB after owning a Toyota Rav4. The Scion has just as much width room in the front and more head room than ever. Three of us, large adults, just took it on a 4000 mile trip to the NE. I loved the way we sat down lower in the car, but it was so easy to get in and out of. The gas mileage was "right on" with the sticker. You have to be a "fun" person to like the look, I do! When youre riding in it you feel that it is so much bigger. I cant believe people have even said what a cute car it is. Im as happy with this car as I have been with the last 6 toyotas weve owned. *Needs to be behind seat pockets and the upholstery could use an upgrade.

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  Whats With This Clutch - 2007 Scion TC
  By SOFLBULLS - March 18 - 8:20 am

  Overall for the money, the car is quite adequate. The only option I have is side impact airbags. I also had the dealership add the pedestal spoiler and auto dim mirror. The mirror is cool as it throws off a great interior ambiance light that covers the entire center console. Those thinking about the footwell and cupholder lights, forget it and get the mirror. My little brother works at Circuit City and installed a great Double Din Kenwood CD player, adapter so the steering wheel controls work and Sirius...all for less than $400. DO NOT buy the satellite radio from the dealer.

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  Not happy at all with it - 2006 Scion TC
  By stevet777 - March 18 - 6:18 am

  We bought a 2006 Scion tc 6 months ago. It had 50,000 miles on it so we thought it would be a good dependable car for us. First off the gas mileage is horrible for a car this size. We have gotten 26 at best averaging 24. The seats are not comfortable on long trips. We have had several check engine lights come on where the mechanic could find nothing wrong. Last night my wife was driving it home and noticed smoke billowing out from under the hood. We took it to a mechanic and found out that it needs a new motor because of a common problem with the head and block. The price tag to fix this is over $6000. This is a common issue that I found out Toyota refuses to recall and take care of.

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  BEST AUTO EVER - 2006 Scion xA
  By DAN - March 17 - 4:56 pm

  I have been an ase certified auto tech. for over 30 years, I have owned and driven thousands of cars trucks and suv, I the 2006 scion xa is the best auto I have ever owned, I would recommend it to any one. Its excellent on gas, at 36mpg average, however toyota designed this car more for safety, not the gas mileage!!! i have not gotten any what so ever problems with car at all.

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  like the car - 2005 Scion XB
  By abby smothers - March 16 - 10:00 am

  it is nice very roomie