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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  xA Release Series 1.0 - 2005 Scion xA
  By Larry - December 24 - 11:16 pm

  The Scion xA is economic transporation with an attitude. This review is on one of the 1550 Absolutely Red special release versions of the xA. This car is fun to drive, drinks gas from a sippy cup instead of from a can, and causes heads to turn when it drives by. Cruise control was an added option so longer trips arent out of the question, although dont pack the big bags, especially if there are four of you, because there isnt a lot of cargo space. The xA wont win any quarter mile races but it doesnt do horrible when the accelerator is mashed to the floor for passing. With its light weight, its easy to stop quickly when required. If you are looking for economy+quality+fun, it=Scions xA

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  Solid tC - 2006 Scion TC
  By meadsa2 - December 22 - 2:50 am

  The 2006 Scion tC comes with great standard features and is fun to drive. Ive had mine for just over four months and I cant imagine having bought any other car. I couldnt be more satisfied with my decision.

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  tBs 2007 Scion tC - 2007 Scion TC
  By tBs 2007 Scion tC - December 19 - 7:43 pm

  Im absolutely in love with the 2007 Scion tC. I traded my Civic in for it after i thought that I would keep that car forever. The tC is a different looking ride, more different and better looking than any Civic! Once driving the tC it blew away any other car I test drove. It is so much car for the money. It combines Toyotas reliability with a Lexus-like style, I have already lowered my tC it will just get better and better as I modify it over time!

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  Gen Y - 2004 Scion xA
  By catier - December 19 - 10:00 am

  What a car! You sure get loads of options for your money. Originally designed for the Gen Y crowd...Gen G (for geezers like me) will love it, too.

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  Love it! - 2008 Scion XB
  By Jen - December 19 - 2:36 am

  I am absolutely in love with my XB! I traded in my Cavalier coupe and I am loving the room in the XB. My fiance who is 64 could not fit in my old car and was amazed at how much room the XB has. Everyone that sees the interior is shocked at how big it is since it looks so small from the outside. I got it in white and I love the way it looks with the tinted windows and the dark interior. Very happy with all of the standard features, I have not added any options at all. I shopped around for almost 6 months trying to find the "perfect" car for me and this is it. When compared to other similar vehicles, the XB really gives you more features for less money.

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  Scion xB - Needs a Diesel Engine - 2005 Scion XB
  By dave behrens - December 17 - 3:20 am

  The 2005 Scion xB is fun to drive, has nice acceleration, a great view, loads of head room, and handles well with a front strut tower brace. Mine has Denso 0.4 mm iridium plugs and a K&N million mile air filter (not a CAI). I have used Mobil 1 in it from Day 1. I also added a hood wind deflector. Dont buy in-channel window air deflectors..they dont fit correctly causing the windows to not completely close. I got front and rear seatcovers for mine from seatcovers.net, and a Scion center armrest through eBay. I like the sound of the original sound system.

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  Im sorry, I have buyers remorse - 2006 Scion XB
  By Marian - December 15 - 7:00 am

  I have almost 5,000 miles on my 2006 XB. So far the windshield wiper rubber part came off of the metal causing theit to stick up and scrape the paint off my car. It is now rusting. The windshield is so straight that rocks chip it VERY easy (4 times already)! I need a new one. The radio sounds horrible and when I turn volume up. When I turn sharp corners the radio station changes. Ive lived at beach for years never had problems with door parts getting bent due to the wind!! A "little" peice of metal is bent and I have to slam door shut to close it and now the window only rolls down 3 inches! Also the interior lighting is bad. Its seats are VERY uncomfortable. And it drives like a go cart. If you are used to small cars this wont be a problem for you.

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  Wow! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Scionfan - December 15 - 4:53 am

  I just traded in my Toyota Tacoma for the Scion XA, and what a great little car this is. Its a hoot to drive, and it gets better mileage than the Tacoma ever did. The mpg that Im averaging, though, is a little less than I had hoped for, but my XA has automatic transmission.

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  A real bargin - 2006 Scion XB
  By NS - December 14 - 6:33 am

  The xB is great overall, but its gas mileage doesnt meet my expectations.

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  Great value and its a Toyota! - 2008 Scion TC
  By aunxy - December 13 - 7:26 am

  What a great value! It comes with so many standard features for about 5-6 thousand dollars cheaper than similarly equipped vehicles. The big selling point to me is that its made by Toyota, the interior is practically a perfect design as far as Im concerned. I had a Honda S2000 before this car and so theres not really many econo sporty cars that could ever live up to that, but Im so happy I traded vehicles as I now have a comfortable sporty ride that I can actually go to the store and buy groceries in!