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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  My Box - 2005 Scion XB
  By J. Padgett - November 5 - 10:30 pm

  The first time I saw this strange little vehicle, I thought "No way I would be caught driving that!" Well, after three more trips to the dealership to poke around and satify my curiosity, my fiancee suggested that I take a test drive...that did it. I took my box home the same day. Boy howdy do I love this car! Comfortable, surprisingly roomy, Toyota quality, good gas mileage, fun to drive...the list goes on and on. It looks really cool too. Toyota definitely got it right, although you cant consider me a generation xer at 51.

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  very nice - 2005 Scion TC
  By powerstrokediesel97 - November 4 - 2:43 pm

  Bought this car as a rollover with 700 miles, fixed it up, now has 55,000. Great car, very fun to drive especially cuz its standard, sound system is pretty good. Very happy with it, has never broken down... Its also very hard to get stuck, its amazing how rough of terrain you can drive it over with it being so low to the ground. I have also managed over 34 mpg out of it. As across the board for this one, another great car from Toyota.

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  Excellent Bang for the Buck - 2005 Scion TC
  By MGG - November 3 - 4:00 pm

  Overall, its an excellent small coupe. Sure it has some weaknesses; but at this price-point, Id be nit picking. Pros - Punchy engine, good handling, excellent interior and exterior fit/finish, outstanding value, Toyota reliability, nice features Cons - stereo volume control should be a dial, not tiny buttons. The car needs a 6th gear. It runs high in the RPMs. Mileage could be better, I get 26/27 MPG mixed driving. The car is geared low, so youll use the higher gears in the city, helping our city rating. Again, a 6th gear would be welcome. I get 30 MPG highway. That should be better. The car is quiet except at highway speeds, even with undercoating.

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  Cant Complain - 2005 Scion TC
  By jmm143 - October 28 - 7:06 am

  Ive had my tC for 4 years now and overall its great. Never been in the shop and always reliable. plenty of room for me but a little crowded for a family of more than 3. Would like a little more power and a less squeaky hatch but other than that its great!

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  The band broke up - 2008 Scion XB
  By Bill Turk - October 28 - 5:40 am

  The Scion name when it was made was new edgy and had just about everything for everybody. But just like modern bands, you switch a member here and there, and before you know it the name Scion doesnt mean what it used to mean. Take the xB for example, the old one was great, small engine, loads of room. Sure it could have used a bigger engine, but fuel mileage for space was what counted. Then they messed with the image, put a bigger engine, but also a bigger chassis. The result is a car that is no longer what it used to be. Toyota, um, Scion just took themselves out of the market that the Honda fit has all to itself now. The xD is no better and looks too much like the fit to kill any edge.

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  Near Excellent - 2006 Scion TC
  By DQ - October 22 - 6:33 am

  Seeking an affordable, sleek, enjoyable and smooth ride? Look to the Scion tC as one of your "must see" cars. This car has been, so far, a great purchase. It has great pick-up and handles well in rough weather and on different road surfaces.

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  Me and My xB - 2005 Scion XB
  By Kaos672 - October 22 - 6:06 am

  Was totally blown away when I first sat in the xB. I was suprised how much room the inside had. I am 61", 300 lbs and I fit comfortably behind the wheel. My drivers seat was push all they way back and I climbed in the back seat and I was suprised that I still had five to six inches between my knees and the back of the front seat. I test drove the automatic transmission and was suprised at the pep the car had. The styling is nice and it stands out. Its a throw back to the old milk/mail truck design. My wife, friends and co-workers love it. I am having a ball in little xB. Oh... by the way I am 33 years old and married, so I do not fit the targeted marketing demographic for the car.

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  Toast - 2008 Scion XB
  By A Garratt - October 21 - 7:26 pm

  This is my second xbox. I love it so far. Toyota has out done themselves in the improvements to this car. I had an 06 that was recently totalled and I actually really liked that vehicle. But this is a whole new car. 1L bigger engine (almost 40% more HP), 4 wheel disk brake, cruise control, ipod/mps hookup, side air bags, more comfortable interior seats, sports stick automatic, etc. All the extras for a minimal increase in price. I highly recommend this car. Very affordable, fun to drive, great gas mileage and best of all horsepower!

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  Fun commuter car - 2005 Scion xA
  By Rainier commuter - October 21 - 8:30 am

  The Scion xa makes an excellent commuter car due to its gas milage. I am currently averaging 34mpg. It has adequate power for driving on the highway. I have no problems keeping up the the "big boys". I also enjoy driving it in the city since its compact size makes it very easy to manuver around traffic. Also , I was impressed with the equipment that came standard. The only option I had to buy was the automatic transmission. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  Good Choice - 2006 Scion XB
  By Joe - October 19 - 2:46 pm

  Im a courior and this vehicle meets all my demands. It has great comfort, fuel economy and reliability. It handles road perfectly. I do lots of highway travel and 18 wheelers dont even intimadate me. The xB is a great handler for small vehicle. I am very happy with it.