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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  MOST EXCELLENT CAR MADE - 2004 Scion XB
  By scott2817 - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR!!! I have NEVER owned an automobile that I have loved this much, in over 25 years of owning and driving autos. I actually smile more and just feel better. I know that I have reliable, trustworthy transportation. I have never before washed, cleaned and Armour-Alld any auto everyday. God, I LOVE THIS CAR!!!

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  WOW - 2004 Scion XB
  By The Law aka M3 - March 7 - 10:00 am

  The xB is amazing. Many words to describe such a great car, but I cant think of them all!

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  Kids love to play with a box, so do I! - 2004 Scion XB
  By Lil xB Box - March 7 - 10:00 am

  This head turning box is so fun & easy to drive. My husband, 62, wasnt sure what to think when I took him to the dealership to test drive my xB. He wasnt sure if I had just lost it or was going through my second childhood. After our test drive, he was sold. A few may not like this car at first glance, but it doesnt take long for them to change their minds. For the price, there is not a car I would rather own.

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  An excellent Micro-Van - 2005 Scion XB
  By Mike-Row Van - March 1 - 10:00 am

  Toyota hit the mark. If it wasnt a Toyota, I wouldnt have bought it. Interior is perfect for a starting family. My 8-month pregnant wife, my 3 year old, and myself (64") can easily go for a comfortable ride. Great commuter car. First mileage was 39 MGP. Others may be heavy on the pedal. HP is sufficient for this type of car. Ive been looking for a year for a 2nd car and once I saw this car I put my money down. Much better legroom than TDI Jetta Wagon (poor VW rep/service/quality/JD Power/pricey). Not the premium $$$ and uncertainty of a hybrid. It can carry my kayak. Not a Focus wagon (too many recalls) Im an auto engineer from Detroit.

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  The SCION XA Durable beyond belief. - 2006 Scion xA
  By dave - March 1 - 6:33 am

  Bought the SCION XA new for my wife in 2006 it has over 60K miles and 4 wrecks. 1. Hit a deer. (8 point buck) wiped out front grill/hood/radiator/fender.2, Truck rolled into her.(new rear hatch)(F350) 3. Lady rear ended her while stopped pushing her into another car.. Rear hatch/bumper front end rear new exhaust. 4.Hit and run wiping out passenger doors and rear quarter. Car looks and drives like new still yet.

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  Great car - 2010 Scion XD
  By doccac - March 1 - 4:36 am

  I am very happy with the XD. My two previous cars were a 328i (2008) and a VW GTI (2009). I am very happy with this little car. Its the least expensive car I have bought in 15 years and yet fun to drive, totally reliable, utilitarian. It is fun to drive, plenty peppy getting on the freeway. I just got 36 mpg in mixed city driving. It is a great car and a great value. Highly recommend it.

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  Its a well built car, original, smooth. - 2008 Scion TC
  By Dtc - February 28 - 4:03 pm

  Its worth every penny, custom it out the way you want. Its designed by Lexus so you know youre getting quality. I get about 22 mpg and I have a 6.5 mile drive to work. I think they could have designed the seats better but that can be fixed with custom leather. But I would have lowered it a little more from the factory. Overall I feel that I made a good decision buying this car. The car is much quieter than I thought but the toyoguard package was well worth the money. Toyota has quality products period.

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  tC is a beautiful thing - 2006 Scion TC
  By Michael - February 26 - 9:20 am

  This car is a great starter car for kids, it is also a great tuner with unlimited potential. Its quick!

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  Love This Car - 2005 Scion XB
  By Sciren - February 24 - 12:23 pm

  Okay, Scion is meant for those under 30. I am 30. This is not just a Gen Y car, it is great for those of us who are 30+ and love a fun and reliable car. I made mine more er. . .grown up by having leather interior put in. Hey, I still have to commute and the gas mileage is phenomenal. For the price, it is well appointed and not chintzy in appearance/construction at all. Plus, its basically a Toyota which means you get top shelf reliability. For us older consumers who have families and careers to attend to and have no time to play dealership games, the no haggle pricing is a dream. Glad I traded my old boring Volvo for this Scion. I love it!

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  Love this car - 2008 Scion XB
  By Lisa - February 21 - 8:36 am

  I love this car - its everything I was looking for and more. I was driving a Honda Civic before, and this car is so much better in every respect - handling, power, room, style, options, ride, etc. The only thing I miss is the 31 MPG I got with my old car - now I get about 27 (90% city). Even so, its worth the tradeoff for all the other great things about this car.