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 The xA has since been replaced by the xD, which carries on the quirky and customizable spirit of its predecessor.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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  Love It! - 2006 Scion XB
  By Patty B. - January 18 - 8:16 am

  I have no regrets! I totally love this car! I think my dog thinks its hers! It makes me smile just to look at it and everybody needs to smile! What a great car!!!

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  No Problems - Fun to Own! - 2006 Scion XB
  By Mainer - January 17 - 8:20 pm

  Having owned many new cars over the years, this is the first that has not had to go back to the dealership for a problem or adjustment. Im tall and theres plenty of "people room", front and rear. The visiblity is great and the cornering is hard to believe - it doesnt feel the least bit tippy. Could use a bit more merging power for the highway but once going, it keeps up with high speed traffic very well. Im glad I read the reviews prior to purchase as it persuaded me to try both the stick and automatic. The automatic is significantly quieter at higher speeds and Im glad I went with it. I went with the center armrest and ipod stereo upgrades.

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  Great Family Car!! - 2005 Scion XB
  By mammabella2 - January 17 - 10:00 am

  We are a family of four and all fit comfortably in our new Scion. We love it. It is cute, sporty, fun, and reliable. People stop us everywhere we go!!!

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  Cant Wait - 2005 Scion XB
  By george p burdell - January 17 - 10:00 am

  This is my 10th new automobile to purchase and I must say that it was the easiest to negotiate with the no haggle pricing policy. The important aspect of purchasing to to negotiate a "fair" price for any trade-in if one is involved.

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  Its Fun to drive again - 2005 Scion XB
  By mally - January 17 - 10:00 am

  I just recently bought a 2005 scion xb and it drives great, handles really well, great on gas, and is fun to drive...you alway get looks from every one...from the sporty seats to the center round odometer you feel like you racing.. its a blast. and is very roomy im a tall guy and i just traded my cherokee sport and its almost twice as big inside its so great. if you are thinking about the new scion just go for it you wont regret it.. treat yourself!!!

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  awesome car - 2005 Scion TC
  By manuel simao - January 17 - 10:00 am

  awesome car and very nice for the price of it

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  they should do a comercial about me - 2004 Scion xA
  By jy - January 5 - 11:36 pm

  Had a Toyota echo. Put over 200k miles on it with only changing the brakes and exhaust manifold gasket. Wanted a newer car. The xa has the same power train as the echo. So bought it.$11.9k . Same as the echo. Great mileage (I drive 90% highway. At least 38+mpg). Ive loaded it up with lumber (strapped qty 16 16 1x8s on the roof), cement, you name it, Ive loaded it. No probs. I consider ti a throw way car so Im not concerned about the roof or scratching it. Thats why I load it to the max when I do my home depot runs. Cant beat it. The only thing Ive done on it is new brakes/rotors in the front and exhaust gasket. (90k miles on it at that point)

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  Best for the money I paid! - 2006 Scion XB
  By ScionRider55 - January 5 - 1:23 am

  Great car! MPG could be better for 1.5L engine. I like the space, shelves, large doors and windows, all included options, seats, radio. Some important to me things I did purchase and install by myself, such as: central armrest, multiple 12v outlet, map light, trunk and underhood lights. Planning to install good (not original) fog lights. Thats it! At this point my project "Scion" will be finished. My wife loves this car as well.

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  My 2005 Scion xB in Blue Onyx Pearl - 2005 Scion XB
  By Chuck C - January 2 - 6:53 am

  I just bought this car on July 21st, 2005 and all I can say a very incrediable car so far. I had a 2003 Dodge Durango SXT an awesome SUV in its own right. With the high fuel prices in California I had to go with another way. I chose the Scion xB because in 1989 I bought a 4x4 Toyota and loved it knowing Toyota makes an excellent product. The gas milage on this xB is unreal and the power is great for 110 horses. In the near future I plan to add I cold air intake and a cat back muffler system to help the performance also. I might possibly make this a show car as well. My ending remarks at being a 50 year old male you cant go wrong with this sporty car from Toyota / Scion.

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  Love the Box - 2006 Scion XB
  By Karen L Walter - December 31 - 9:20 pm

  I love my X box. It really does get 30 mpg in town. It is fun to be seen in, and also fun to drive. My dog loves it and actually we bought it for him, and to go camping. Buy the cargo mat for your dog. I am not 20 something but I do appreciate good value for my buck. Buy something different.