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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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:

• 

  2009 Scion - 2009 Scion XB
  By Howard Jones - March 4 - 9:10 pm

  The 09 Scion is the best designed car I have ever owned and I am a mechanical designer and a detail nut. Every design aspect of this car is very well thought out. It reminds me of the interior of a boat in the efficiency of the storage compartments. It should be Car of the Year for 09.

• 

  Love My Scon xB! - 2005 Scion XB
  By Roxanne - March 4 - 11:36 am

  I love my Scion xB! It handles well. Great gas mileage! I love the way it looks. I plan to keep this car for a long time. I cannot wait to get it accessorized! I know that this car was made specifically for the "Young" folks. My husband and I are in our late forties and love this car for going around town and back and forth to work!

• 

  Scion xA- A great value - 2005 Scion xA
  By elysian69 - March 3 - 10:00 am

  I cant believe you can buy such a high quality vehicle for such a low cost. Ive been most impressed so far by all the features that are included with it. The stereo system is great, and it performs and handles very well. The fit and finish are stellar as with any other Toyota product. The visibility and handling are great. I love this car.

• 

  good - 2005 Scion TC
  By german - March 3 - 10:00 am

  This car is an amazing vehicle to drive. It is very comfortable and smooth. It is also very quick so if someone tries me you bet im goin after him.

• 

  Stop Looking Right Here - 2005 Scion TC
  By Peter - March 2 - 3:26 pm

  I was out to find a used car in the $10,000-$12,000 range, and found quite a variety awaiting me. I was considering a 2007 Honda Civic, a 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK, and a 2008 Toyota Corolla. After driving all of them, none offered the kind of driving experience that the Scion offers. With a more-than-enough 2.4 liter engine that delivers surprising fuel economy, as well as plenty of power for such a small car, this Scion easily blows away anything else in its class. The interior is also class-leading, with a long list of standard features that other car companies charge much more for. My advice: Get the manual. Its so much fun to drive! I couldnt ask for anything more in a small car!

• 

  Scion tc - 2005 Scion TC
  By C.Shearer - March 2 - 10:40 am

  I like the power door, power windows, sunroof, and the cruise control that are standard on every tc. The back seats fold forward so I have plenty of room for cargo. The exterior design is what actually caught my eye when I went looking for a new vehicle. Most of all, its fun to drive. My husband says its a sports car, but I call it my toy car.

• 

  Happy couper - 2005 Scion TC
  By joeyB - March 1 - 10:33 pm

  This is my first new car and I love it. The acceleration is smooth. The car hugs the road like a more expensive sport car and is very comfortable. The features are second to none. I cant believe how little I paid for this car!

• 

  I love my Fridge!!! - 2005 Scion XB
  By fidget - March 1 - 6:20 pm

  Whether people call my car a fridge or a toaster, it is anything but a small appliance. It is the first car I have bought and I couldnt have picked better. Very roomy to fit my friends for long drives, or to haul around my art things. The dealership also installed black and white contrast leather interior, so I feel like I am driving a much fancier car. Also, with the toyota name behind it, I feel safe. Someone hit me recently and for the impact I felt, there was very little damage. Great gas mileage, too, so affordable at purchase time and thereafter.

• 

  My Gold Rush Scions 1st Road Trip - 2008 Scion XB
  By Jimi Harris - February 28 - 3:30 pm

  Went down to Columbia South Carolina when my Scion had less that 2000 miles on it got the first 500 miles with a tank and a half gas, it comfort and safety it was pouring rain all through NC in to Columbia. Driving time was 8.5 hours one way. Drove all over Columbia and then went down to Charleston, SC to check it out and stayed over night shopped at the Outlet stores and filled my XB up. Drove straight through back to Maryland stopping for gas etc. Got awesome gas mileage, cruise control is awesome, my old behind did not fall asleep once even after 4.5 hours. Was windy and raining hard never felt that my XB was not giving me awesome traction and wind buffeting was kept to a minimum. Jimi

• 

  Would buy again, oh wait I did. - 2009 Scion TC
  By serith - February 26 - 4:23 pm

  Ive owned both a 2006 Scion tC 5-speed, and now currently a 2009 Scion tC 5-speed Release Series 5 TRD model. The 2009 is more refined than its 2006 predecessor. If yourre looking for a well rounded, budget-friendly coupe, look no further. However, I can not say the same about the current 2nd generation tC--they are entirely different animals. Pros: - fun to drive - peppy/quick (not fast by any means) - respectable fuel economy (could be better) - relatively small - toyota reliability - aesthetically pleasing - fantastic crash safety rating Cons: - "Boy Racer" stigma. - Top 10 "most expensive to insure" - 160hp from 2.4L is lazy engineering. - Short final drive ratio (hurts mpg)