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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  great!!! - 2005 Scion XB
  By E.B. - October 7 - 10:00 am

  I thoroughly enjoy my xb! It gets great gas mileage. Its very roomy on the inside yet it its more compact than my other cars.

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  Fun to Drive - 2005 Scion XB
  By Tena Draper-Clifford - October 7 - 10:00 am

  Love this car,everywhere I go people are stoping me to ask where I got it t and who is the maker. A couple was driving a Bently and they gave me the thumbs up. It drives smooth for a small car. Unbelievable size inside, the room you have... enough in the back to set 3 adults comfortable. Im glad I bought my Scion.

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  Satisfied Scion Owner - 2005 Scion TC
  By john - October 5 - 1:20 am

  Very happy so far. Did change the tires for winter driving. The ride is solid, fun to drive.

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  Great car for great price - 2005 Scion TC
  By J - October 2 - 10:56 pm

  The ride is a little rough over bumps, but its a blast to drive; good pick up, great handling on curves, good sound system, beautiful exterior.

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  luv it - 2009 Scion TC
  By luv it - October 2 - 8:06 am

  I love my 2009 tc. After having my car for a month, the only thing I have found wrong with the car is the seats, the seats stain very easily. After washing my car I opened my moonroof which I love a few water drops landed on the seats staining them making the seat look dirty. The material also picks really easy but other than that the car is great love it

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  old guys like neat cars - 2005 Scion xA
  By olbull - October 1 - 10:00 am

  Couldnt believe what 13k bought me.My son is jealous my grandsons thinks grnadpa is cool.

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  Hot Car!!! - 2005 Scion TC
  By Stevo_043 - October 1 - 10:00 am

  I love my car! I just got a week ago and Im happy that I picked it over a Mazda 3. It has so many features, automatic windows, mirrors, doorlocks and sunroof! I like the way the windshield washer spray, they spray the entire windshield not just little streams of cleaner. The performance is pretty good and I like the interior! My sisters says its like a Lexus. Everywhere I go I get stares from people in other vehicles. They turn around all the way in their seat just to see what it is!! I love all the attention!

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  Happy Scion Owner - 2005 Scion XB
  By Pam Krause - October 1 - 8:10 am

  Very comfortable, Great on gas which is a plus. Handles well very sporty plenty of room for groceries and kids. I can fit 3 small children and stuff in the back......I love the gas mileage!!!20 bucks fills it and i get about 420 miles.....I have the orange scion XB.

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  Clunker Replacement - 2009 Scion XD
  By Whitney - October 1 - 6:06 am

  I work for a Toyota/Scion dealership and was the first person dealership- wide to trade in a car (RIP 1986 Mercury Cougar) under the Cash For Clunkers program. I was REALLY attached to my Cougar and the whole experience was heartbreaking, and it took me a while to bond with the xD. But dont let my ridiculous emotions sway you: the xD is an awesome little car. My purchase was between it and the Yaris S, and it blew the Yaris out of the water on so many levels. And to put on my sales hat for a second, this thing has loads of standard features, plenty of space, ample peppiness (Ive never owned a 4cyl before and that was a concern, no problem though) and legendary Toyota Quality. Just buy one.

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  Eds Review - 2006 Scion XB
  By Ed - September 30 - 10:43 pm

  This car is an incredible gas saver, it gets nearly 40 mpg on a vehicle as aerodynamic as a brick. It goes zero to sixty in less than 4 seconds, which makes it fun to stomp on the gas. It has lots of room for the kids and it is easy to change seat configurations, even my kids can do it. The stock audio system can blast your doors off.