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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Best Car I Ever Bought - 2006 Scion xA
  By Larry - July 17 - 1:26 am

  I’ve owned this car a little over 3 years now and I’m approaching 30K miles. It is the best car I’ve ever owned. No trips to the dealer except for scheduled maintenance. I live in Ventura and it’s perfect for parking in tight spots and doing the 7-mile commute to work down the 101. Stereo is great! I average 33 MPG; Lowest MPG was 30 and highest (round trip: vacation to Bakersfield) was 39.47. I’m 6 ft. and I can “sit behind myself”. MPGs would be even better if there was a 6th “overdrive” gear. Friends are impressed and sad; too bad they stopped making these. The xD is not really a replacement. If I had to replace this car today I’d give the Honda Fit a serious once-over.

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  Love it but C-pillar has blindspot - 2008 Scion XB
  By Love it but blindspt - July 16 - 2:30 am

  Love it but C-pillar is 2-feet wide so theres a blindspot which caused me to hit a pole when I backed up. Luckily, the bumper was real steel, not plastic so damage was minimal and I only needed a new bumper cover and light.

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  New Surprises Every Day - 2006 Scion XB
  By Frank - July 15 - 2:40 pm

  This car is a bargain for the price. It has many standard features and the one I purchased (thankfully) had factory cruise and arm rest (definite necessities). I bought this solely as a commuter car that is also spacious enough to get kids in and out of the car seats. There is ample room for both driver and passengers. I can average 32 mpg without a lead foot and do a lot of gliding to stops and about 28 mpg if at full throttle all the time. This doubles the gas mileage compared to my previous truck. The handling is superb and unfortunately you would expect it matched with a much peppier engine. But a larger engine would kill the gas mimleage, so thats an expected trade off.

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  I Love Love Love my Scion xa - 2005 Scion xA
  By Scion XA - July 14 - 4:20 am

  From the moment I got behind the wheel of my Scion I have had nothing less then a blast. I was amazed at how easy it was to drive and the get up and go in it was amazing. I can park it anywhere and not worry about weither it will be a tight fit or not. Its got personality not just another set of wheels on the road.

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  I Love Love Love my Scion xa - 2005 Scion xA
  By Scion XA - July 14 - 4:20 am

  From the moment I got behind the wheel of my Scion I have had nothing less then a blast. I was amazed at how easy it was to drive and the get up and go in it was amazing. I can park it anywhere and not worry about weither it will be a tight fit or not. Its got personality not just another set of wheels on the road.

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  Bestttt Carrr EVER - 2008 Scion TC
  By Awesomenesss - July 13 - 9:46 pm

  This is my first very own car, It is the best choice i have ever made. Picks up speed really fast, very reliable and very fun to drive. I cant imagine anyone not liking this car.

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  So Happy! - 2005 Scion TC
  By Sam - July 13 - 5:40 am

  I bought my Scion Tc before moving to San Francisco. I was trying to decide between it and the Jetta. I can not tell you how happy I have been with my decision. It has so many standard features for a car that is so cheap. It is much roomier than it appears and the sun/moonroof is really fun. I bought the XM radio and have been equally pleased with that purchase. All in all, the Scion has totally lived up to the hype. I couldnt be happier.

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  What is this...open mike? - 2005 Scion xA
  By Angela - July 11 - 3:36 pm

  This car can turn on a dime! Power transmission and small wheelbase. Get the manual- it has decent pickup and reviewers say that the automatic is sluggish...I find that this manual is more powerful and responsive than the 91 Honda civic htchbck manual that I used to have... Seats are very comfortable, car sits up higher than Hondas do. A mountain bike and drumset will fit in the back with the seats down; however, 4 bags of groceries and you have to put the seats down! Speedometer is located in a bad spot (center) have to look away from the road to see it.

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  I love my Scion Xa - 2005 Scion xA
  By Karen - July 10 - 3:53 pm

  I purchased a "black cherry" 2005 Scion Xa in January, and I love it. Its more roomy inside than many larger vehicles, the gas mileage is fantastic, and it handles well and is easy to drive. Its a cute little car and turns heads; strangers often approach me in parking lots and say they like my car and ask questions about it. I have often sat in restaurants and seen people out the window looking at it in the parking lot. The all-wheel drive makes it easy to handle in snow, and the rear defroster and wiper make it a good vehicle to have in bad weather. In these times of high gas prices, I have never spent more than $17 to fill it (even when the gage said it was almost empty).

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  I love my Scion XA - 2004 Scion xA
  By april - July 8 - 4:46 pm

  I love my little car. We bought it right off the show room floor. It is the best car I have ever had. I would never give it up.