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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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 ride to have - 2008 Scion TC
  By xqwerty - January 3 - 4:30 am

  I bought my tC with a super charger so I didnt think that fuel would be that great but I got 27mpg in the winter and get 31mpg in the summer. I have never had a problem with it, that includes having it start outside in - 27degrees with no problem :) The only problem I have come a cross is the vents are hard to direct and the doors dont have a ding gard (now both of my doors have chipped paint) other than that with a sunroof, mp3 wma and ipod ready(w/ cables) radio & kickn bass, 2.4L S/C engine, and tons of little fitures and millions of after matket accessories ready for you to customize your tC means to me so much. Oh yea and the price is way too low for me to pass up, ITS A BUY!!!

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  Its OK, but Caution Advised... - 2008 Scion XD
  By Katie - January 2 - 1:36 pm

  Price was OK, but I might not buy it again. Screw went into tire sidewall in July 08, but no tire dealer had the odd ball size--took a week to order. Radio doesnt receive my favorite stations (90 Nissan did perfectly). Owners manual says to use only 0w-20 oil (or 5w-20), but Castrol wont sell it to consumers; my favorite auto shop doesnt buy it in bulk. Very noisy ride--so much so that dog doesnt like it. Doors seem to lock mysteriously, with no door key/lock on passenger side--have to go around. Dash gauges can be seen only by pushing button--not safe to do while driving--odometer should always be visible.

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  The Most for Your Money.... - 2005 Scion XB
  By bob - December 28 - 7:06 am

  The 2005 Scion xB is a lot of car for the money. It has great saftey features, good gas milage, and good service. The only thing that I would change is it needs arm rests.

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  A good car for the money - 2006 Scion TC
  By John Chen - December 27 - 2:13 pm

  The two major complaints that I have about the car are its paint quality and interior integrity. The sqeaky dash board makes my new car feel cheap. Not everyones will sqeak, but it is a bit common for tCs to have this problem. Its a great looking car inside and out. The 06 Civic was really the only competition to me. I think the Civic Si would be a better buy if your more concerned about accleration, handling, sports feel (overall performance), but if your into size and comfort go with the tC. It has plenty of rear passenger leg/head room. The doors are too big and way too heavy. They tend to make it difficult to get out in tight parking areas. For the price wouldnt consider anything else besides tC or Civic.

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  Dependable!!! - 2005 Scion xA
  By ak - December 26 - 3:46 pm

  I have had my car for almost 2 years now and she is very reliable. Definatly not a speed demon but awesome gas mileage and ive never had a major problem ever!

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  the scion - 2004 Scion xA
  By jekel - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I think this vehicle is a safe and fun vehicle for everyone, and i also think that it is highly underated.

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  Paint problem - 2009 Scion XD
  By Lynn L. - December 23 - 11:40 am

  We love the car so far technically. We are having problems with the paint (nautical blue). It scratches at the touch of a finger and it looks dimpled. We are wondering if anyone else has encountered this problem. We have had the car for only 1 month and it gets worse and worse as the days go by. There also is a spot of discoloration in the front right panel of the car.

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  Fun Car, Milage not as Advertised - 2006 Scion XB
  By Isabel - December 22 - 4:50 pm

  I am slightly disappointed in my xBs gas milage, the best milage Ive have gotten is 31 mpg highway, 26 mpg city. I currently have 11,000 miles on the car. The paint is chipping off and I cant seem to get a touch up bottle from the dealer.

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  Increadible Scion TC - 2007 Scion TC
  By caseyscion - December 21 - 9:23 pm

  The Scion tC is an increadiable car. I went from a 2004 Toyota Matrix XR supercharged and the Scion has just as much power. The tC is a lighter car and has the acceleration that will throw you back in your seat wanting more.

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  I love my car - 2004 Scion XB
  By doesey - December 21 - 10:00 am

  I absolutly love my Scion xb. I went on vacation a while ago and could not wait to come home so I could drive her again. If you are going to get look into the sunroof, it is huge and I love it. I was originally going to get an xa, but I am so glad I got the xb instead. It is such a better value then the xa in my opinion. If you are thinking about one, dont wait go get it, you will love it! I only have two minor complaints- I wish it had more power and I wish it had automatic lights since my last car did and I keep forgetting to turn them on and off. To compinsate for the power issue get a cold air intake, I think it helped a lot!