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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Cheap Stylish Ride - 2006 Scion TC
  By Spectacularjax - September 12 - 5:23 pm

  Ok here is the deal. I always wanted a fast sporty car, which this car is. However it is basically a toy. It is kind of like the old honda civics that were made to play with. Parts easily pop off and on for accessorizing, which is lots of fun. The trunk is poorly made, if you live in New England like I do, and it snows it is very difficult to lift the trunk, so you need to clean all the snow off before even trying. Sometimes the trunk ( with no snow on it ) closes by itself and hits you right in the head. The handle to the trunk pops right off and unless you have package tape it will dangle and eventually fall off. Tires are thin and dont last too long, head room, not good for tall people.

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  I like it. Been good to me - 2005 Scion TC
  By since it came out - September 11 - 4:03 pm

  I read about this car and waited its arrival. When they became available I bought one. Its comfortable and reasonably sporty driving wise. I have fit so much stuff in this car at once its astounding. Flip all the seats down including the passenger by taking the head rest off and youll be amazed. It does hold the road and corner well and once you get used to the shifter it accelerates with more than enough oomph. I have changed the oil replaced the tires and that is it. I plan on driving it till the wheels fall off and given its performance to date I think that will be a long time coming.

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  Toyota Excellence - 2006 Scion xA
  By 2006 Scion xA - September 11 - 12:43 pm

  I love my Scion xA. It is affordible and is very high quality. Also, its great on gas, which is a major plus with gas prices at the level theyre at today.

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  Excellent Car - 2006 Scion TC
  By jscion - September 9 - 11:26 am

  The Scion tCis wonderful. I wouldnt trade it for anything in the price range of $20,000 dollars. Its the best car under twenty grand and it handles great.

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  Scion Tcs need rear windshield wiper - 2008 Scion TC
  By Steve - September 9 - 8:36 am

  I love my car..Nothing but routine maintenance for my Tc. No problems what so ever after 2 1/2 years of ownership. Will probably buy a new battery for her. The only thing that scion forgot to put on these cars was a rear window wiper/sprayer assembly. Other than that, ,everything has been great. I would not mind having a 6th gear on this manual transmission. And scion, ,please put a short throw shifter in during assembly, ,with a shorter height to shift lever also. No need for a truck like shifter in a sporty car as the tc. That is why I lowered mine. Great car and will buy again when that time comes.

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  Scion xB - 2005 Scion XB
  By Onomatopoeia - September 9 - 7:16 am

  I get between 400 and 410 miles on a tank of gas which, I believe, works out to about 33.5 miles per gallon, so Im very happy. Believe it or not my xB carries more than my old SUV ever could. Im still amazed. The boxiness is definitely an asset. Ive read others say the xB has no passing power. My experience is definitely the contrary. I take the NJ Turnpike twice a day, six days a week, and I have no problems passing other vehicles with ease. Im not sure, but perhaps its because I have the manual transmission. Also, I prefer the xB to the Honda Element, which is similar, because the XB doesnt have the Elements A-pillar blind spots. Oh yeah...Great sounding radio!!

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  Excellent value and fun to drive - 2011 Scion XD
  By shivas1 - September 8 - 9:45 pm

  I have owned a 2011 xD for approximately 6 months now. We are averaging 34mpg. with a variety of in town and over the road driving. I think that the passenger room is better than either the Fit or the Fiesta. Sitting in the rear is excellent, and better than either of these competitors. Those cars were cramped compared to the xD. I am 6 ft. and 185lbs. The front seat contours are sweet and hold you in place firmly during turns. The iPod feature runs seemlessly with the radio from the steering wheel controls. Suspension is a bit stiff, but it has a sport feel to it that way. We have the 5 spd manual and really like it. I am looking forward to how it drives in our Wisconsin winter.

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  Best car I have ever owned. - 2015 Scion XB
  By Ed McCabe - September 6 - 12:09 pm

  Take a long test drive. This is the smoothest and quietest car I have ever owned and this is my 43rd car. Acceleration is great and transmission is so smooth I never feel it shift. Being an older driver I find the seating position and easy of entry and exit to be great. Cargo capacity is better that the RAV4 that I replaced with this Scion. Dollar value is exceptional

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  My Little Boxter - 2006 Scion XB
  By Jolene Reynolds - September 5 - 8:13 pm

  From the first time I saw this little boxy car, I knew I had to have one. I sold a 2000 Lexus ES 300 for my Scion XB and I dont regret it one bit!

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  Scion tc review - 2005 Scion TC
  By erin - September 3 - 1:20 pm

  This car is a nice looking car and fun to drive. For the price you get what you paid for. I have some problems with the body of the car. This car is horrible in the snow.