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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Almost wish for a longer commute! - 2009 Scion XB
  By Susan_in_AK - January 10 - 12:30 am

  We looked long and hard for a suitable vehicle that my elderly mother can get it and out of, but can comfortably haul my son & 2 neighbors to school, all growing boys. We were driving past the Scion dealership and decided to check them out - we knew within the hour this vehicle was for us! Comfy, great handling, easy to get in & out of and so spacious! Handles fine in snow when its not too deep. Happy with our purchase. Gas mileage is not as high as we hoped, but truth to tell the smooth ride & handling seems to encourage you to zip along. Absolutely love it!

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  xA review - 2006 Scion xA
  By mczarski - January 6 - 11:26 pm

  Great little car if you want excellent gas mileage, good standard features, and way low price. We looked at all the high mileage cars, except the hybrids, and this was the best bang for the buck. Rides smooth, a little loud under full throttle, but that is to be expected from a 1.5 liter moving 2,000 plus pounds. Drives fine til about 80-85 mph, then it starts to be a little too loud from the engine bay. Put in some dynamat and it might be somewhat quieter.

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  I Love My xB - 2005 Scion XB
  By ILoveMyxB - January 6 - 5:10 pm

  This is the best car I have ever owned. I would recommend it to anyone. It may be a little loud on the highway, but you just have to turn up the radio. I love my xB.

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  What a cutie! - 2005 Scion xA
  By Candise - January 6 - 7:30 am

  I just got my Scion xA. Trading in my VW Beetle for it was a smart move. It needs better visability and gas milage, but I would buy another one. A sunroof would make this vehicle a sure sale for me. Keep em comming.

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  Perfect for every Day and Trips!! - 2012 Scion XB
  By jaguar27 - January 5 - 5:21 am

  I traded my Black 2007 on a white 2012 I liked the last one so much!! Granted, I only had 24k miles on it but never once did I have any kind of problem. The 2012 is a huge improvement, the instrument Cluster is much better, they have made much better use of the available realestate by showing the outside temperature and time without having to toggle through the display. Also, the sliding Armrest is way better than the skinny drop-down one. Its a perfect cummuter, although city mileage isnt great, I get a 22.4 average constantly, but thats with a 1.8 mile commute with 5 traffic lights. The standard is awesome with HD Radio, Bluetooth and iPod connection etc. Great sound.

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  It is what it is - 2004 Scion XB
  By BlueTurtle - January 5 - 2:00 am

  This car is as much fun to drive as a high performance vehicle. No, it is not going to go 0 to 60 in 5 seconds, but who cares. There is nothing like it. It is a nice change of pace from my WRX and is just as cool. In fact, it receives more looks of awe than my WRX ever does.

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  I love this car! - 2005 Scion XB
  By Christy - January 4 - 2:16 pm

  After owning a Volkswagen Eurovan that was so heavy I needed to change brakes (and rotors beause thats how theyre designed!) every six months, and needing to use premium gas on a low fuel economy vehicle, I am in heaven in my Scion xB! I was attracted to the spacious interior since I spend half my life hauling kids around, and they were all used to the van. Once they got inside, all the kids loved it, and they loved the sound system as well. The manual transmission and smaller size makes me feel as if I am driving a sports car. Its handling is great, and the manual transmission is crisp and easy to shift, it almost feels automatic.

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  the xB IS golden - 2008 Scion XB
  By AerBer - January 3 - 4:50 pm

  We bought our first xB in 2003 manual transmission, it works we have over 150,000 miles on it. We needed a 2nd car with a little more room and an automatic...The answer was golden - the 2008 xB with the moonroof. It is just the right size, fun to drive, with the larger engine, the gas mileage not too bad. However, it does need some noiseproofing... Nevertheless we love our new goldmember. Now were going to bring it to Lombards (the Car Stereo Store) in San Luis Obispo for serious Dynamat.

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  A great change of pace! - 2009 Scion XD
  By jseejr - January 3 - 1:10 am

  What an unbelievable car for the money! Went from a 2008 Honda Accord coupe, needed a 4dr for upcoming baby, and have not been disappointed. Great interior features like ipod hookup, steering wheel controls, cruise control, stereo cranks for a little car, and superb gas mileage. Originally thought styling was a little goofy, but have adjusted to it because its so much fun to drive. Best bang for your buck out there right now if downsizing. You wont regret this purchase!

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  MUST HAVE CAR - 2005 Scion xA
  By MEXMEXICANANGEL - December 31 - 10:00 am

  I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE IT WAS UNEXPENSIVE AND HAD A BETTER FUEL ECONOMY.MY FAMILY THOUGHT IT WAS WEIRD LOOKING BUT AFTER THEY SAW THE SPORTY LOOK DESIGN.THE SOUND STEREO SOUNDS GREAT ALSO.THE TRUNK MIGHT LOOK SMALL BUT IT CAN FIT ALOT OF THINGS!