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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Fun to Drive, Great on Gas Needs Cruise - 2006 Scion xA
  By Miss Ellie - December 29 - 3:23 pm

  I bought this as a commuter car for my husband to replace his truck. Car is great, zippy and fun to drive. RPM at 60 MPH is 3000 and feels like it needs a 6th gear. Otherwise, make sure you order cruise. My 22 year old loves this car. Nice MP3 connection as well. Very comfy back seat, and versatile layout for storing groceries and cargo. Buy it, youll like it!!

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  Outside the Demographic - 2008 Scion XB
  By John B - December 28 - 6:20 pm

  This is a nice car for money with very good room inside. Very good quality and lots of nice features for nothing extra. I would recommend getting none of the add-ons unless you are absolutely sure you need them because they really reduce the economy of the car. Great combo of power, build quality, ergonomics, price. Only negatives are the fuel mileage (you have to make a trade for the power & IÂ’m still getting 26), no arm rest for passenger, and engine is a little noisy. Overall, very happy with purchase.

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  XA= great value - 2004 Scion xA
  By Marvin Veneman - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Scion is commited to customer satisfaction. I`ve owned this car for over 6 months and have no complaints at all.

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  This car Rules the Planet - 2006 Scion xA
  By Sharon - December 20 - 12:26 am

  I purchased the 2005 Scion Release Series, with a 2.0 liter engine. There are only 1,700 of these cars made. What drew me to it was it already had everything I wanted in a Scion. Total cost $15,000. I took my car on a trip from Madsion, WI to Charleston SC, The car was loaded to the top. I spent $70.00 on gas for a 1,000 mile ride, impressive right? I had no trouble plowing thru the Smoky Mountains. This car is like driving a race car. I was burnin the track & takin names. Scion has a price point system. All Scions come base price and each extra costs a price, no running back & forth to a manager. It was the first time I bought a car and didnt feel ripped off!

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  Our xB: an almost perfect small car... - 2005 Scion XB
  By S. Mudry - December 19 - 2:56 pm

  Perfect car with only one drawback: noise at highway speed (70mph+ cruising is a chore.) Would be close to ideal with an overdrive five speed auto.

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  Just Great - 2004 Scion XB
  By Phat - December 19 - 10:00 am

  This car is 1 of the best cars i have ever driven.

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  fun! - 2004 Scion XB
  By metooalso - December 19 - 10:00 am

  fit an football inside even the head room!

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  Sweetest Ride - 2008 Scion XB
  By infiniteparadox - December 17 - 2:23 pm

  This is my first car at 17 almost 18. Honestly I could not be happier with this ride. I decided to go with the aqua green color (Hypnotic Teal Mica) and this color/car is definitely a head turner. In fact when I was driving, my neighbors literally couldnt believe I was driving in this hip car. So after driving the car for about a good 1/2 hour this is what I have to say about it. The car on the outside doesnt look that big but on the inside there is a lot of interior. The thing I like the most about it is just how easy it is to get out and in. Plus the seats are the most comfortable Ive ever been in. Feels like they were custom made just for me. The car has a quiet interior, very smooth.

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  The Best Car You Will Ever Own - 2007 Scion TC
  By Hayabusa4u - December 14 - 4:20 pm

  This is truly the best car I have ever owned. The fit and finish are awesome. This car is very fast for a 4-cylinder. Finally, I dont have to floor the pedal to keep up a hill. I would recommend this car to anyone who wants a sports car that gets great gas mileage.

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  I Love My tC - 2007 Scion TC
  By quickchix - December 12 - 2:53 pm

  I have had my Scion for a little over a year! I love this car. I was in love with it from the first time I saw a tC! Especially the tC With all the upgrades! It has great power for the import class. This is my first 5-speed and it is so smooth and easy to learn. It handles great and the 5-speed is a BLAST to drive The interior is HUGE for a car this small. It has plenty of room for four adults. With all the standard options plus all the add ons the car is still affordable and is backed by Toyotas reliability. It doesnt get any better than that! If I had to buy another car iI would most definitely buy this car all over again! I fall in love with it every time i drive it!