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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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:

• 

  Great new car - 2009 Scion XB
  By malbertsen1 - July 20 - 12:03 pm

  Just had the car for 3 days and I really enjoy driving it. After months of searching for a new vehicle my husband and I finally decided on a new xB. The price and being made by Toyota is what sold us. We got the fog lamps, rear fin, upgraded wheels, in the new stingray metal.

• 

  Great Car, Except for the Gas Mileage - 2005 Scion TC
  By cummr01 - July 19 - 5:00 pm

  My family loved our Scion tC until my daughter totaled it. It has a simple elegant style. The engine was plenty strong. The standard features that came with it were great. When we compared it to similarly equipped Honda Civics, VWs, Mazda3s, Toyota Corrolas none of them impressed us like the tC. Our big complaint was poor gas mileage. We may buy something else now due to the gas mileage. If a 6-speed transmission was put in, that might solve the problem. It tached at 3,000rpm at 65 mph. There wouldnt be reason not to buy the tC if the gas mileage was fixed.

• 

  Good for a first car - My initial review - 2008 Scion XB
  By StuckinAZ - July 14 - 8:50 pm

  Ive only put a couple hundred miles on the car, but I thought I would offer an initial review. I will come back and do another one after a couple thousand miles. Any way the Scion xB meets my needs very well. Some people keep comparing it to the old xB, and saying it gets bad mpg and its not unique anymore. Well in my opinion the new xB is a better car. It takes the highways better and as well as the city.The mpg are not bad at all, Ive been averaging +29 MPG, and thats 99% city. Its got a great interior with lots of leg room for both the front and back, and I can haul all my stuff. I traded in from an very large V8 Chevy 4x4 truck. Get one, youll be glad. Its fun, frugal, cool

• 

  To Xd or Not Xd? - 2010 Scion XD
  By 1ldhall - July 13 - 8:50 pm

  I commute the freeways of LA daily for +65 miles one-way. I have driven the Xd for over 6 months and +10k miles and find it both satisfying yet annoying causing classic cognitive dissonance. The power is ok, but not exceptional, gas-mileage is ok but not great, the radio is very annoying to use with so-so audio quality, in LA you need a radio to survive those long commutes. The AC can barely keep-up on warm days on the 101 fwy and its not even summer yet! Only one cigarette lighter that is on only with the ignition; annoying, no arm rest; annoying, road handling; noisy & annoying, cant see the cup-holders in the dark, annoying. There are better vehicles for the money available.

• 

  I love my car. - 2008 Scion TC
  By wallflower - July 12 - 6:03 pm

  I found this car at an absolute steal. My previous vehicle was a 98 Neon and it doesnt even compare to the Scion. It looks fast, although its admittedly not suppose to be too fast. I found mine used and fully loaded, and for someone wanting a fun, reliable car-- this has suited me well.

• 

  Nice and Sweet - 2007 Scion TC
  By loo11188 - July 11 - 2:36 am

  I love this car. I have had it for 2 years. The only thing that I have found that I do NOT like is that I have had to replace 3 tires due to nails. The funny thing is that it came with Bridgestone tires and I have replaced them with Kelly tires and have had NO problems with the new tires what-so-ever. That can get a little pricey. But all in all i love this car and it doesnt do bad in the snow either.

• 

  Decent - 2007 Scion TC
  By Mike - July 9 - 6:20 pm

  Bought the 07 right when they first started hitting dealerships. Fun to drive, I4 is peppy, gas mileage is not so great. Highway driving is noisy and high RPM once you get over 60. The Z rated tires that come with the car are unnecessary and wear out instantly. Despite its weight and FWD, car handles snow & rain poorly. The double din radio is great for aftermarket head units. Huge sunroof is cool, but rattles like nobodys business. Doors rattle, rear hatch rattles. Buy the accessories online, far cheaper. 2-in-1 floor mats are nice. Seats scuff easily, not very comfortable. Car is a pain to clean because of body shape. Blind splots a plenty. No telescoping steering wheel. Long and heavy doors.

• 

  al 06 - 2006 Scion TC
  By henry - July 9 - 4:20 am

  very pleased. fun to drive, love the handleing , the look,the sevice and the overall ride.

• 

  love my new xB - 2004 Scion XB
  By lovemyxB - July 8 - 2:00 am

  i love driving my xB...its such a great little economy car!!! Efficient and too cute!

• 

  Great Vehicle! - 2012 Scion XB
  By stevo043 - July 6 - 2:12 am

  We had to purchase a 2012 because I unfortunately totaled out my wifes 2008. We loved our 2008, but this 2012 is alot better. It seems to be a little quiter than our 2008, but has more features. Its nice to have the room of an SUV, but the driveabiltiy of a car - we fit 2 car seats pretty easily! It rides pretty good, but you can feel the bumps (sport tuned suspension).