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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  The Ups and Downs - 2005 Scion XB
  By mxpro338 - May 5 - 4:23 pm

  I have owned this car for a year and have put over 30,000 miles on it. What I like: it is reliable and roomy! The xB is a very practical "around town" car, it gets good fuel mileage, is unique, has suprisingly strong engine for its displacement, has phenominal handling (even in the snow!), and is affordable. What I dont like: it lacks passing power at high RPM, the original radio, lots of wind noise, and it had no armrest when new. In the end, if you are looking at this car you have to weigh out what is important to you. It is not great fuel mileage (30-32 mpg avg.) and it is not powerful (100 - 110hp), but it is fun to own and will attract lots of attention around your town.

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  Great value! - 2006 Scion XB
  By pharklefam - May 2 - 8:03 pm

  Ive had my Scion XB for about a year and a half and think its great. It gets excellent gas mileage and visibility is very good. My Scion has a rattle almost from day one on the drivers side dashboard. Dealer has tried two or three times to fix it but cant seem to find it. Also the interior lighting is too dim. Cant find anything at night. Very, very uncomfortable on long trips -- 3 hours plus. I do enjoy driving it locally -- easy to park, brakes work well, low maintenance, etc. But at 27,000 miles, my tires are just about worn out. I have rotated the tires every 3 to 4,000 miles. I guess this must be average. Anyway, Id buy it again if I had the chance.

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  Great ride but..... - 2006 Scion xA
  By Roxanne - May 2 - 5:13 am

  My Scion xA rides/handles great. Seat very comfortable for my 57". O/S its so CUTE too! However, high engine noise on highway makes me want to shift to 5th gear but Im IN 5th!! Not smooth shifting either. Center speedometer?? Think again. Scion inside material (only choice) black makes the cars (roomy for a little car) interior feel suffocatingly small. Interior textures hard to clean too! My 02 Ford Focuss grey interior feels SO much bigger, cleaner and is easier to clean !! 06 xAs cup holder wont hold a coffee cup. No handle cutout so sits at an angle, sloshing. Sorry!

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  Excellant Car - 2008 Scion XD
  By Salsa Red - May 1 - 8:26 pm

  I am the 2nd in my family to buy the Scion xD,3rd to buy a Scion! My parents got their white xD in January, I have a Salsa Red xD and my brother has a 2008 Scion xB, their second one! We are a Scion Family and loving every minute of it! Scions are The Best!!! This is also the very first time I have ever owned a brand new car. I couldnt have chosen a better car!

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  The tap dancing xB - 2008 Scion XB
  By Disappointed - April 30 - 8:03 pm

  I got mine after I read the favorable consumer ratings. I made a wrong decision.The driver seat is so uncomfortable and wablly, I feel like I am sitting on a half inflated ballon. A small bump on the road would send this car jumping all over because of the very soft suspension. The ride is punishing. If nothing else, the car should be recalled for lack of suspension. Toyotas focus should be balanced and away from selling accessories at the expense of comfort and safety. I do not want to buy the firmer lowering kit for better suspension. What an arrogance on toyotas part to have only one color of fabric for the seats!I have had this car for almost 3 months now and it is already rattling.

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  Big interior and Great Price - 2015 Scion XB
  By Scott Davis - April 29 - 11:29 pm

  Just purchased 2015 Scion xB and I am averaging 29.3 MPG for the first 3500 miles on the road. The vehicle is a manual transmission model. Not sure why others are reporting poor MPG. I live in the midwest with very few hills and I have a manual transmission so perhaps that might be the reason. Plenty of stop and go traffic and some highway driving and still achieve 29 MPG. I actually like the center gauges. At night I do not have the annoying gauge lights below me while viewing the road. It is quite easy on the eyes. Also the digital speedometer is a big plus over dial gauge. We place an iPad on the passenger side dash and lays there flat nicely. I am a 64" person and this vehicle is unbelievably roomy (headroom and leg room are stellar) even in the back seat. I initially was not keen on the boxy look of the vehicle but after tinting the windows and installing fog lights myself the exterior is very appealing. I have several comments on the look and the BIG interior. Reliability with Toyota Camry engine should be well above average. I do not observe the road noise as others have stated. I looked at a Kia Soul. You will be very disappointed in the interior size. Very small. Initial features of the car are not great. Get the vehicle for $17K with no options and then add aftermarket or the Toyota options yourself. They are available at lower prices from online Toyota dealers.

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  Fun little pocket rocket - 2010 Scion XD
  By LFGK - April 29 - 5:10 pm

  I started to looking at the Scion xD mainly because of price, after driving a Fit standard, Fit Auto, Civic Auto and Accord Auto. I was blown away at how much quieter the cabin was compared to the much larger (and pricier) Accord LX. Had always been a Honda fan, but the road noise is terrible, especially with a lot of "chip seal" roads that we have locally. The Scion was quiet, powerful and comfy with a long list of standard features. My biggest gripe was the dealer put a 2009 Pioneer stereo in the 2010 Scion, therefore, the USB/Aux jack didnt work. Additionally, they didnt have the correct unit in stock when I got there. SO, another visit to the dealer is required.

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  2008 Scion Xd - 2008 Scion XD
  By Xdvnt - April 29 - 1:20 pm

  I picked up the Xd last month after the rising price in gas was making it impossible for me to keep my old vehicle. Went from a Nissan Titan to the Xd and I couldnt be happier. Its so fun to drive. Very sporty and nimble. Lots of get up and go for such a small engine. I was pleasantly surprised at how much room it has inside too. Im 62" and fit in it with no problems at all. When I first purchased it, all I could think about was how much I was going to miss driving my truck. Now, much to my surprise, I enjoy driving the Scion more than I did my Titan. And the mileage is great. So far the lowest tank Ive had has been 35 MPG and I have a tendency to keep my foot in it a lot. Very pleased.

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  Most Fun Car I Have Ever Owned - 2005 Scion XB
  By Codycat - April 29 - 1:50 am

  I am the owner of a limited edition yellow Scion xB. The car is so much fun to drive that I look forward to taking it out as much as possible. I usually have people asking questions about it where ever I go. I am 62" and have plenty of extra head room and leg room. Its pickup is more than adequate and the gas mileage is between 30/35 MPG. The tank is just under 12 gallons. The xB is by far one of the hottest most sought after vehicles as proven by being out of stock in just about every showroom. Ordering one will take about a month. It is well worth the wait. If you are looking to bring the fun back into driving, look no further than the Scion xB. It is a winner.

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  Fun car - 2008 Scion XD
  By Janet - April 27 - 3:53 pm

  Ive had my car for almost a year now and I still have fun driving it. Lots of room, awesome gas mileage handles great. I love it!