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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Glad I bought this - 2008 Scion TC
  By ForTheWifey - April 14 - 11:06 am

  After reading all these reviews about the Scion tC. I thought it was all a joke and thought it was one person writing reviews over and over again. I test drove one a couple weeks ago and LOVED IT, absolutely loved it. The dual sunroof, quick accel, looks the whole deal. I wanted to keep it, but I bought it for my wife, so I guess I will sneak it out when she sleeps =).

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  Great Car - 2010 Scion TC
  By RayL - April 13 - 3:36 pm

  This is a great car to drive. Not only do you get a very nice price you get alot of features included. I do disagree on the ratings of performance it has great power for the engine you are working with, but it is the styling of the car which got me hooked on this car. You will have a smile everytime you drive it.

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  Outstanding Value - 2006 Scion xA
  By Ozzie - April 12 - 7:53 am

  The vehicle is perfect for my needs. I just got the car and when I was driving home I noticed the engine runs strong and the cabin was fairly quiet. I did my homework and looked at the Corolla, Civic and Mini. I felt that for the price and quality the Scion was the winner!

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  Amazing Little Box - 2006 Scion XB
  By John - April 10 - 10:06 am

  For the exterior size, the interior is huge. Its large doors and low seating enable easy entry and exit. It has excellant visibility. With the rear seats down, there is all kinds of room for groceries, etc.

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  Best Bang for the Buck - 2005 Scion xA
  By Lynda D - Camarillo - April 8 - 2:26 pm

  I purchased the 2005 xA Release 1.0 Limited Edition (257 of 1550). Lowered it two inches, installed cold air induction system and custom exhaust. The performance is awesome for a small horse power vehicle plus the look is real sweet & the handling exceptional for a Toyota .... feels like a slot car and gets lots of attention. The only downfall is the dash rattles and vibrates when the Rs are up there around 5-6K rpm. Ran very smooth at 105 mph on straight highway. Definately worth the $$ - my cost $16,965 plus another $3000 for air induction, window tint, fog lamps, exhaust, alarm system, xm receiver, lower spring & strut kit.

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  Excellent first car - 2006 Scion TC
  By BigBoi - April 7 - 4:56 pm

  This Scion was my first car. All I can say is wow, this car is amazing. I literally cant keep myself out of it, and all I want to do is drive it. Great speed and pickup, as well as good fuel economy. It looks great including the standard 17 rims. The only thing I dont really like concerning the tC is the steering wheel and the sound system. The steering wheel is relatively small, which causes a larger turning radius.

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  Love my xB!! - 2005 Scion XB
  By elsie - April 6 - 12:40 pm

  I have only owned this vehicle a little over a month, & I am glad I bought it every time I drive it. The ride is very smooth & it is so very roomy. The fact that the seats are just a little bit higher than the average compact or subcompact makes it very easy to get in & get out, especially for people who are a little limited in stooping for whatever reason. My grandkids like to ride in it, my mother likes to ride in it, my husband likes to ride in it. The ability to pack & unpack the vehicle is also very easy. My previous vehicle was a Ford Focus, & it was cute, but this vehicle is so much more functional.

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  Best Bang for your Buck - 2005 Scion XB
  By b desaw - April 5 - 10:00 am

  I bought 2006 Scion xB and have put 700 miles on it so far. On my first tank of gas, I got 30 mpg and on my second tank I got 29 mpg. The xB is a GREAT small car! Its very fun (easy) to drive, has a great sound system, and a cool/funky design. I bought it partly because I wanted to fit a wheelchair in back (I am replacing a Honda Odyssey), and partly because gas just went up to $3.60 a gallon. It is not a sportscar, but a logical and efficient way to get from here to there, in comfort, with sufficient power, and LOTS of interior space! I am very happy! I would defininitely recommend this vehicle to smart consumers. Idiots who need massive power to suppliment their ego shouldnt buy this car, it wont suit their needs. It suits my needs perfectly.

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  Scion XD - 2008 Scion XD
  By Jay - April 4 - 2:30 am

  Me and my fiancé brought a scion XD about two weeks ago and we both love it. We need something else to drive other then our Denali that has a drinking problem at the moment. We went from putting $110 every four days to $36 every two weeks. We also added the TRD muffler, TRD lowering springs, TRD 18” rims, scion neon blue door trim, upgraded pioneer system and rear spoiler.

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  Great car with a lot of personality - 2006 Scion xA
  By sciontific - April 3 - 9:20 am

  I recently purchased a 2006 Scion xA and have really enjoyed driving it so far. It really is a good value for the money. Most of the creature comforts come as standard equipment, the build quality is excellent, and it is fun to drive. The gas mileage is also impressive.