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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  05 XB manual - 2005 Scion XB
  By will - May 25 - 2:53 am

  We purchased our XB manual about 2 weeks ago. I just want to say that this is exactly the car weve been looking for. We went from an Explorer to the XB and Im loving the gas mileage improvement, and the fact that it does not take up 1/2 of my garage :) I felt that the manual transmission was the way to go, we do a lot of snow/mountain pass driving and I felt that the "get up and go" was a little stronger with the manual. If youre on the fence I would highly recomend this car. The dealership was fantastic as well. Easiest car we have purchased! I was playing "taxi" after our Christmas party, and this car holds 5 adults with no problem.

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  Sciontology! - 2006 Scion xA
  By Im Still a Believer - May 24 - 12:33 pm

  After 18 months of ownership, this car still pleases and rewards on a daily basis. Gas mileage is a rock solid 35 in town and 40.5 on the highway. Its nimble, quiet and can take on almost any parking space. Seats are supportive. Driving position is upright and commanding. Radio sound quality is great. And with the optional side-curtain airbags and ABS, I have a measure of security.

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  My xA - 2006 Scion xA
  By me - May 21 - 5:13 am

  The xA is a great car. toyota lied however! I do not get 31 miles per gallon around town, I get 35 - 36! Not only that, but this car is easy and fun to drive. It has good drivability, handling, and even ride. For $16,000 out the door, this is just great little car. Its comfy, roomy , and has a great interior design with instrument on center console. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

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  My Doodle Bug is GREAT! - 2006 Scion XB
  By john - May 19 - 1:40 pm

  I love the driving experience in town and on the road! I have added a middle arm rest (which should be std.), cruise control (which also should be std.), driving lights (should be std), euro style rear lights (nice addition), undercoating (really reduced the road noise), a cold air intake and cat back free flow exhaust (they really improved the performance and mpg), new wheels and a $600 graphics wrap job to produce a very satisfying and distinctive ride. I love my new little doodle bug. Its low initial cost allowed me to make the additions that I wanted.

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  Great space - 2011 Scion XB
  By jt5912 - May 18 - 11:22 pm

  I wish that they would put a 6-speed Auto transmission in the XB. Because the gas milage isnt so great. After you fill it up it seems that in a couple days your down to 1/2 tank. I was used to my Camry, I would get about 200 miles when it reached half tank. I get about 20-22 mpg city. I dont know on highway yet. But I really like the car. So maybe a bigger tank and 6sp A/T. That would be really nice. And also High back front seats please. Im 6 foot and the back of the seats hits my lower shoulder blades. Dont take my wrong their is pleanty of front room for leg and headroom. And a rearseat armrest with cup holder like the camry.

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  What a great car! - 2006 Scion TC
  By djglass - May 18 - 3:00 am

  Forget "great car for the money," this is a great car period! Its has great acceleration, handles decently, shifts like a hot knife through warm butter, gets good fuel milage, tons of standard features, booming system, etc. Considering that you walk out the door (tax, licence, etc. included) for under 18K this car cannot be beat! I test drove a Mazda 3, Ford Focus, Acura RSX, and Hyundai Tiberon (all more expensive with the features I wanted) and although they are all great car and were fun to drive, I couldnt ignore the value of the tC vs. the competition.

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  A Bang of Safety for the Buck - 2008 Scion XB
  By mikep - May 17 - 2:43 pm

  I only added one option to the vehicle, the 16 inch alloy wheels. You cant get a car with more standard features and safety features than the xB for the price. The style has improved 10-fold from the original model. Its longer, a little wider, and about the same height. Fuel economy could be a squeeze better, but I love the torque. The base radio is quite adequate, and the sound is great. The one thing I am most impressed with is how quiet the car is, road noise is almost non existent. All this and it is so much fun to drive, and to be the first one in town with a new toy!

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  2008 Scion tC - 2008 Scion TC
  By scribble - May 13 - 1:23 pm

  Absolutely wonderful car! It has a good deal of power for a 4 cylinder, and despite the mileage ratings Im averaging 27-28 mpg with mixed city and highway driving. The tC comes loaded from the factory with everything a buyer could want. The upgraded stereo is worth the extra price and sounds awesome (for most users at least). I have no regrets about buying this car.

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  2009 XB Fun even for an old guy - 2009 Scion XB
  By ocived - May 11 - 5:25 pm

  I bought this car for my daughter in Aug. of 08 after she moved to Colorado in 12 and needed a AWD I took it off her hands, since Id need a car in a year or so. I love driving it. Very quick off the line and @4000 the VVT kicks in and its on. For a 2.4 L. 4 cyl wagon its a blast to drive. Toyota quality is all over this car. 83,000 + and no maintenance issues. One recall for coil packs R&R was it.

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  City Car Goes the Distance - 2005 Scion xA
  By C Marshall - May 11 - 4:43 pm

  I commute 200 miles per day with this car. Bought upgraded sound w/ 6 CD - Good. Bought fog lights - wasted money. Bought self dimming mirror - excellent. Also picked up the AEM air intake which gives a slight boost over 2000 RPM and adds a little sound that is pleasant. I find the seats to not bee real comfortable for long distance, not enough lumbar support but love the way it corners. Visibility is just OK. At 62" some of the posts get in way of vision. For the price a well executed car and one that doesnt look like everything else out there.