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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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 DEAL - 2008 Scion XB
  By dro - June 3 - 3:33 am

  Fantastic car for transporting elderly parent. They can get in and out without stepping up or down to get in and out of the Scion xB. I am also a tall person and this was the one car I can sit up in with out having to lean the seat back. A good value!!!

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  loving my tC - 2005 Scion TC
  By hot momma - June 2 - 11:56 am

  I love my black cherry Scion tC. I get so many compliments on the way it looks people actually stop and ask me what kind of car it is. Obviously i tell them its a Scion made by Toyota and how you get so much for the money. Mind you, I am 44 years old and out of the minivan stage. So I thought why not buy something that is young, fun and classy looking at the same time.

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  One slammin sweet ride. - 2005 Scion XB
  By kerbyron - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I thought Ib blow Toyotas demographics to heck and by an XB. Im 50...yea a half-a- century. I just might be the first AARP eligible driver to purchase one of these. I have a young, former punk rocker wife, two daughters, mother in law and a compact dog. They all fit! With extra room. I can ever fit lots of photo gear in it so I can make the payments on this cool box. This sweet ride is stylin - jazz on the slammin CD changer is killer. Its comfy, cruises down the highway quitely. Has that Toyota thing going for it. I dont even mind when my wife cues up a Sex Pistols CD and gets all teary eyed! Life is good in a Scion box. Party on!!!

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  My Scion xB - 2005 Scion XB
  By BTownMeezer - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Ive had it for two months now and Im really glad I bought it. Its fun to drive and the room inside is just amazing - especially the head room. The gas mileage is just terrific. Its better than I expected. Would only change one thing - - this car needs a bit more engine power.

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  My 1st Real Big Purchase! - 2005 Scion TC
  By Destinygirl - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I couldnt be happier w/ this car. Everything that i had ask for. The stock rims,moonroofs,keyless entry..everything. i was comparing this car to the honda accord coupe and boy do they charge you for every option you put on. But w/ the scion tc~its all stock. I love the fact that i have only seen 1 so far on the road, and everywhere i go,i get comments on my car. its a great feeling. Also, another added plus to this car is the fact that it is a camry motor, so it is reliable!!!

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  Fun Car - 2006 Scion TC
  By Tara - May 26 - 2:36 am

  The tC is a fun car to drive. Everyone who I have let drive it loves it. Also everyone loves the sound system. My only complaint comes 2 months after I bought it when the check engine light came on after sitting for 3 days while I was sick. Turns out the gas cap was loose but there is nothing that says "Check Gas Cap before taking to dealership." That sorta would have been useful and relieved stress over what was wrong.

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  05 XB manual - 2005 Scion XB
  By will - May 25 - 2:53 am

  We purchased our XB manual about 2 weeks ago. I just want to say that this is exactly the car weve been looking for. We went from an Explorer to the XB and Im loving the gas mileage improvement, and the fact that it does not take up 1/2 of my garage :) I felt that the manual transmission was the way to go, we do a lot of snow/mountain pass driving and I felt that the "get up and go" was a little stronger with the manual. If youre on the fence I would highly recomend this car. The dealership was fantastic as well. Easiest car we have purchased! I was playing "taxi" after our Christmas party, and this car holds 5 adults with no problem.

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  Sciontology! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Im Still a Believer - May 24 - 12:33 pm

  After 18 months of ownership, this car still pleases and rewards on a daily basis. Gas mileage is a rock solid 35 in town and 40.5 on the highway. Its nimble, quiet and can take on almost any parking space. Seats are supportive. Driving position is upright and commanding. Radio sound quality is great. And with the optional side-curtain airbags and ABS, I have a measure of security.

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  My Doodle Bug is GREAT! - 2006 Scion XB
  By john - May 19 - 1:40 pm

  I love the driving experience in town and on the road! I have added a middle arm rest (which should be std.), cruise control (which also should be std.), driving lights (should be std), euro style rear lights (nice addition), undercoating (really reduced the road noise), a cold air intake and cat back free flow exhaust (they really improved the performance and mpg), new wheels and a $600 graphics wrap job to produce a very satisfying and distinctive ride. I love my new little doodle bug. Its low initial cost allowed me to make the additions that I wanted.

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  Great space - 2011 Scion XB
  By jt5912 - May 18 - 11:22 pm

  I wish that they would put a 6-speed Auto transmission in the XB. Because the gas milage isnt so great. After you fill it up it seems that in a couple days your down to 1/2 tank. I was used to my Camry, I would get about 200 miles when it reached half tank. I get about 20-22 mpg city. I dont know on highway yet. But I really like the car. So maybe a bigger tank and 6sp A/T. That would be really nice. And also High back front seats please. Im 6 foot and the back of the seats hits my lower shoulder blades. Dont take my wrong their is pleanty of front room for leg and headroom. And a rearseat armrest with cup holder like the camry.