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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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

• 

  I like this car a lot! - 2005 Scion TC
  By ScubaSteve - August 5 - 5:56 am

  I test drove the Mazda 3, VW GTI and Scion tC all in the same day. All had great features about them - Mazda felt more nimble, had 4 doors, and I like the design & the VW was the sportiest and had leather seats - but the tC was without a doubt the best overall value. And factoring in Toyotas reliability record compared to Mazda and VW and the haggle free selling approach I just couldnt pass up on the tC. Its stylish, comfortable, has tons of standard features that usually cost extra on other cars in this price range, and offers a decent amount of performance. Unfortunately, at around 8,000 miles, I started getting the sunroof "pop" and now theres a rattle coming from somewhere in my hatch :-\

• 

  FUN..FUN..FUN - 2005 Scion XB
  By CLATSOPMAMA - August 2 - 10:00 am

  GREAT LITTLE CAR!!! SAW ONE JUST HAD TO HAVE IT! THE MAIN REASON WAS ITS DIFFERENT THEN WHATS OUT THERE AND THAT REALLY APPEALED TO ME!!GREAT INTERIOR VERY COMFORTABLE, NICE STEREO, LOVE THE KEY LESS ENTRY NO SCRATCHES FROM MY KEYS ON THE DOOR! LOTS OF ROOM INSIDE, LOVE THE FOLD DOWN SEATS.REPLACED THE THE WHEELS WITH THE NEW SPINNERS..REALLY CATCHES EVERYONE EYE!NOT SURE ON GAS YET ONLY HAD FOR A WEEK!!! MADE FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART.. BOUGHT IT FOR MY 50TH BIRTHDAY PRESENT TO MY SELF!!!!!GREAT FEATURES FOR SUCH A LOW BASE PRICE!!!

• 

  Fantastic vehicle, recommend to all - 2005 Scion TC
  By Joe Balls - August 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle for an every day driver car to go to work every day. I never expected to enjoy the drive the way I do. It seems that may people are quickly turning there heads in the direction I am heading to see and figure out what king of vehicle I am driving. It is very comfortable, very powerful (for its size) and its a great looking car...

• 

  Great Little Car - 2009 Scion TC
  By Debbie - July 31 - 10:46 pm

  The steering is tight as a sports car. It handles great with a lot of get up and go. Excellent sound system. I love the color - Sizzling Crimson. A lot of people ooohed and aahhhed as it was driven off the showroom floor. With minimum down, I still had great low payments.

• 

  The Only Commuter Car on the Market - 2006 Scion xA
  By scionhead77 - July 30 - 10:13 pm

  There is no other car (that Ive found) that has the combination of fuel efficiency, excellent braking/handling, subcompact size, safety features, Toyota-like reliability, amazing design quality (interior and exterior), and low price. This car has been *very* fun to drive and show off.

• 

  Love the Bread Box - 2006 Scion XB
  By Richmond, Va - July 30 - 3:13 pm

  The Scion xB is comfortable, reliable, and fun.

• 

  cool car - 2005 Scion TC
  By valleygirl76 - July 27 - 7:36 am

  I have had my scion TC for about 2 months now, and so far so good. If you are looking for an attention getting stylish somewhat inexpensive car, this is perfect. It handles well and is seemingly reliable (of course time will tell). Everywhere I go, people compliment me on it, which is fun!!! It is very roomy inside and I feel very safe in it (heavy solid doors and tons of airbags). I also love that it is a toyota (heard it has the same engine as a camry). Definitley a cool, fun, safe, reliable car!!! highly recomeneded!

• 

  Scion IQ - 2014 Scion IQ
  By toyota3000 - July 26 - 4:12 pm

  Good little car, great mileage, Toyota reliability, easy to park.

• 

  Love the Box - 2005 Scion XB
  By coachT - July 24 - 1:33 am

  The BOX is great! Ive had mine for two months now and am still amazed at the space. I have no problem toting people or STUFF! I dont miss my truck, nor the 19 MPG. Im easily getting 34 MPG city and 38 MPG highway in my Scion xB. The Box will not win any races, but who cares...its great handling will allow you to zip in and out of traffic, and has no problems cruising at 80 mph on the highway. My main problem with the box is that my wife and daughters grab every opportunity to take it. This vehicle is not just for the young crowd...Im 42. The only addition I made was the center armrest...I would have bought the 5-speed but none where available. The camo color rocks! Get the center armrest and cruise control.

• 

  notthing better in this price - 2008 Scion XD
  By Doidao1013 - July 23 - 6:00 pm

  I can not got anything better for the price, scion is the best I really enjoy drive this car every day!