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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  I Love My Scallion - 2007 Scion TC
  By drew06371 - June 6 - 7:10 pm

  This car is a blast to drive. Its powerful enough and it handles very well. I love the style and theres plenty of room for four adults.

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  GREAT DEAL - 2008 Scion XB
  By dro - June 3 - 3:33 am

  Fantastic car for transporting elderly parent. They can get in and out without stepping up or down to get in and out of the Scion xB. I am also a tall person and this was the one car I can sit up in with out having to lean the seat back. A good value!!!

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  loving my tC - 2005 Scion TC
  By hot momma - June 2 - 11:56 am

  I love my black cherry Scion tC. I get so many compliments on the way it looks people actually stop and ask me what kind of car it is. Obviously i tell them its a Scion made by Toyota and how you get so much for the money. Mind you, I am 44 years old and out of the minivan stage. So I thought why not buy something that is young, fun and classy looking at the same time.

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  One slammin sweet ride. - 2005 Scion XB
  By kerbyron - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I thought Ib blow Toyotas demographics to heck and by an XB. Im 50...yea a half-a- century. I just might be the first AARP eligible driver to purchase one of these. I have a young, former punk rocker wife, two daughters, mother in law and a compact dog. They all fit! With extra room. I can ever fit lots of photo gear in it so I can make the payments on this cool box. This sweet ride is stylin - jazz on the slammin CD changer is killer. Its comfy, cruises down the highway quitely. Has that Toyota thing going for it. I dont even mind when my wife cues up a Sex Pistols CD and gets all teary eyed! Life is good in a Scion box. Party on!!!

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  My Scion xB - 2005 Scion XB
  By BTownMeezer - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Ive had it for two months now and Im really glad I bought it. Its fun to drive and the room inside is just amazing - especially the head room. The gas mileage is just terrific. Its better than I expected. Would only change one thing - - this car needs a bit more engine power.

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  My 1st Real Big Purchase! - 2005 Scion TC
  By Destinygirl - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I couldnt be happier w/ this car. Everything that i had ask for. The stock rims,moonroofs,keyless entry..everything. i was comparing this car to the honda accord coupe and boy do they charge you for every option you put on. But w/ the scion tc~its all stock. I love the fact that i have only seen 1 so far on the road, and everywhere i go,i get comments on my car. its a great feeling. Also, another added plus to this car is the fact that it is a camry motor, so it is reliable!!!

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  A great car for the money! - 2008 Scion XB
  By BrandtRN - May 31 - 12:40 am

  My husband and I just bought this car about two weeks ago, and were enjoying it very much! The interior is roomy and quite comfortable, and Im very happy with the stereo. This car is fun to drive and gets excellent gas mileage. The value for our money, in my opinion, was excellent, and Im very happy we bought this car.

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  Nice Car - 2006 Scion TC
  By fbraz19 - May 30 - 11:48 am

  I bought this car new in July of 2006. Its been a nice little car for me. I opted for the manual as a personal preference. I also opted for the iPod stereo upgrade, was not standard in this model year. Its been a great little car with the exception of a few items. The rear hatch latch came completely off on this car just before the 30k mile warranty was up and the dealer replaced it. The struts for said hatch have worn out and I had to buy new ones, I opted for ordering these from out of state due to cost. Keep in mind that I open the hatch at least 2 times a day 5 days a week for the last 4 years. Other then these two items mechanically the car has been great. Brakes/Rotors replaced once.

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  fun but not comfortable - 2009 Scion XB
  By waw - May 27 - 9:56 am

  This is by far the most uncomfortable car I have ever driven. The seat bottom is short and offers little support. The steering wheel is too far away. The armrest is too low and the sill is too high. My knee hits the console at a very uncomfortable spot. The trans shifts at the slightest incline. The brakes are sensitive as well as the gas pedal.

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  Fun Car - 2006 Scion TC
  By Tara - May 26 - 2:36 am

  The tC is a fun car to drive. Everyone who I have let drive it loves it. Also everyone loves the sound system. My only complaint comes 2 months after I bought it when the check engine light came on after sitting for 3 days while I was sick. Turns out the gas cap was loose but there is nothing that says "Check Gas Cap before taking to dealership." That sorta would have been useful and relieved stress over what was wrong.