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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Its A Winner - 2008 Scion XD
  By Its A Winner - February 22 - 6:13 pm

  I am a visiting Nurse and am in my car all day, going from patient to patient. Needed good MPG. Looked at Versa, Fit And Suzuki SX4. It was between XD and SX4, would buy this car again tomorrow. I LOVE it. It is fun to drive, fits anywhere and has good pick-up. Agree with need to decrease road noise, wish there was an armrest, and that doors lock when car is put in gear. I get many questions and compliments on my zippy red XD.

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  I love this car - 2008 Scion XD
  By Reesfun - February 22 - 12:50 pm

  Such a great little car...especially for the price. The gas mileage is fantastic. After 5K miles I have consistently averaged 36+ MPG with combined in city hwy/street driving. Highway mileage alone has come in as high as 42MPG. This car is fun, easy to drive-turn-park and fits me perfectly. My hubby 6 3" hubby purchased an XB and I fell in love with it with one exception...its just TOO big inside. I found myself having to reach too far for everything. But the XD has everything at perfect arms length. And the clutch is light and the manual trani is easy to shift. The only negative is that at 5K it has more "little noises" than I would have expected from a Toyota product.

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  Great car - 2004 Scion xA
  By Blue pacific17 - February 18 - 10:00 am

  I love this car fun to drive great on gas quality feel

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  I love my car! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Vanessa - February 17 - 6:20 pm

  I just bought a Scion about a week ago, this car is great. It is my first new car and i really like it. The gas mileage is great. The car drives well and it definitely is cool, the interior is very nice. This is the perfect economy car.

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  Love it so far - 2004 Scion XB
  By tpat3 - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Its a blast to drive and gets a whole lot of attention. Still dont know what magic Toyota performed to get so much space into such a small package, but its really incredible. I was worried about it being underpowered, but its plenty quick and very agile. I mostly use it for commuting and its great zipping through traffic: you can fit this car through some very small holes. Handles like a go-kart, ride is firm but harsh and brakes are pretty good, too. Only been on the highway once, but got to speed quickly and is stable.

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  Release 6.0 Only flaw is the NAV system - 2009 Scion XB
  By John N. - February 15 - 3:03 pm

  Ride is great, huge amount of interior room. Traction system is good in snow. Only issue is the NAV radio. I am on my third and still can not get one in which all the feature actually work. iPod function takes 5 minutes to load "VR dictionary" each time. Dealer just keeps ordering a new one and sticking it in. They say there is not much else they can do as it is not a Toyota product.

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  Fantastic Car! - 2005 Scion xA
  By bruzoo - February 12 - 10:03 am

  We bought our Scion over 5 years ago. It has been VERY dependable and a lot of fun to drive! Visibility (Im short) is very good!! My husband has taken it over...:)

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  2005 Scion tC - 2006 Scion TC
  By mb - February 11 - 11:53 pm

  I had a 2005 Scion tC that i just wrecked and totaled out about a week ago. I hit another car doing 45 mph and aside from being knocked unconcious from the airbags for about 15 min, I got only one minor scrach from the knee airbag as my only injury. I actually opened the door and walked away with no help at all. I give this car GREAT marks on saftey and performance and Im about to get another to replace my toatled one. As for the people that talk bout gas, ITS A SPORTS CAR! I averaged 30 mpg and NEVER under 28. This is the BEST car for the money. I love the car!

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  Now for Something Completely Different - 2006 Scion XB
  By wastedgorilla - February 11 - 11:16 pm

  I used to laugh at them until I drove one. I bought one about three weeks later and use it as a commuter car. My older kids fight for it on the weekend, as all thier friends, and stuff, fit comfortably. One of my favorite features, which I didnt quite appreciate at first, is the 360 degree visibility out the windows. No matter where you turn, you can see. Bonus, Im a big guy and fit comfortably. With the front seat all the way back and leaned, I can sit in the back seat with plenty of leg room. You cant believe how much room is in there until you get inside. I cant find anything to gripe about.

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  Hip to be square - 2012 Scion XB
  By stoutbrewer1 - February 11 - 4:58 pm

  Ive had my XB for a few weeks now after trading in an old Matrix. You cant beat the roomy interior of this small package. It really is a small SUV in my opinion. This years upgraded stereo includes bluetooth which works very well and is easy to set up. Driving around town, up and down hills, intercity or on the Freeways are pleasant. On my first few tanks of gas Im getting 22.5. I was hoping for 2012 the six speed transmission would be added to boost fuel economy. I like all the cubby holes the XB has for storage. The factory tinting looks dark yet at night it doesnt have a dark cavern feel. I found the gauges very logical mounted to the right instead of normal centered.