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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Thinking Outside the Box - 2006 Scion XB
  By belawrence - September 4 - 7:06 pm

  This is the best small car Ive ever owned. It handles like a sports car, and Ive owned many. With the rear seats folded down the cargo area is huge for a car this size. The front and rear seat confort is also great even for a guy my size - Im not short and skinny. The engine has a fair amount of pull for only being 1.5 litres and I havent had a problem passing on the freeway using the solid feeling manual transmission. I also like how it looks like nothing else on the road today. I also own an 01 Mustang GT and an 05 Nissan Armada - great vehicles but they both consume copious amounts of gas.

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  Very Cool Car - 2006 Scion XB
  By NorthernBerksPA - September 2 - 6:33 pm

  This car is great! I love all the room inside. It is much easier to get get in and out of than other cars. Its got enough power to get ya going, but it could be better. It has a solid ride and it handles well. It gets very good gas mileage. Once you get used to it, that speedometer is really at a good place. You dont have to look too far away from the road, to see how fast youre going. Nice idea!

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  Box Rocket - 2008 Scion XB
  By Mark - September 2 - 12:40 pm

  I am more than impressed after 2 months of quality time with my new 2008 xB. I highly recommend the rear sway bar, as you can take a corner with a $60,000 sports car (believe me, Ive done it). The ride is smooth and quiet, and the new Camry 4 cylinder engine gives the 2008 xB a good boost of power when needed. Add in sports stick on the automatic transmission, iPod/MP3 standard Pioneer deck, and a 50s gangster wagon exterior, and the 2008 xB is in a class of its own.

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  Pierres xB - 2004 Scion XB
  By Pierre - September 1 - 4:16 am

  This car is fun to drive and turns heads in town. Although it is marketed to the young crowd it is a great car for people over 50 because it is very easy to get in and out. The legs room in the back is outstanding even for tall people. My father-in-law is 8 tall and he still has room before in knees. When the back seats are down the cargo volume is huge for a car this size.

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  Scion is great - 2004 Scion xA
  By blzr11 - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Great car, fun to drive.

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  Fikret Cekic - 2004 Scion XB
  By Fikret Cekic - August 30 - 2:00 am

  It`s a Fun car to drive affordable pluse honda element look alike.

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  Black 2010 Scion xB - 2010 Scion XB
  By GFR17 - August 27 - 10:46 pm

  I got this car last week, and I absolutely love it. It is fun to drive, has more storage space than an SUV, and has some of the most comfortable seats I have ever sat in. That being said, it is not perfect. I would prefer more ground clearance, as 5.1 inches is just a little too low for me. I also with that driver armrest and much of the center console was reconfigured.

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  LUV IT - 2005 Scion XB
  By Bill King - August 27 - 4:56 pm

  I bought it mainly to use it as a tow car for my motor home. I find any excuse to drive it now. Better than my 2004 Ford F-150 XLT.

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  LOVE MY SCION LOVE BUG - 2005 Scion xA
  By Lucy Cecere - August 24 - 9:26 pm

  Great car, innovative and practical. Was in the market for a Echo, however when i saw the AX it was love at first sight, and we be for many years to come. I would recommend this car to anyone young or old,

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  Smarter than Smart. - 2012 Scion IQ
  By deansmith - August 21 - 5:20 am

  I traded in a 2008 Smart car on this 2012 IQ. A very smart move. This car is faster, more comfortable, more storage space, and seemingly better built. That last statement is based on hearing a "solid" sound when closing the doors. I also paid $18,800, because of the premium stereo, Sirius XM, fog lights, premium paint, fancy wheels, etc. This is NOT a stripped down econo-box...it rides, drives, and feels just like a "real" car.